Download Article
Download Article
Dimples are small folds or indentations in the fleshy part of the cheek. They are the result of a minor muscle deformity which causes the skin of the cheek to draw tightly as it moves, creating external divots. This facial feature is usually a genetically-inherited trait. However, people born without natural dimples can successfully mimic their appearance through a variety of methods ranging from the simple (makeup) to the drastic (surgery). [1] X Research source
Things You Should Know
- Perform dimple exercises for 30 minutes daily, smiling and applying pressure to your dimple area or puckering your lips while sucking in your cheeks.
- Use makeup to contour dimples, starting at the top and working from the outside of the natural lines of your smile.
- Get a professional to put in a dimple piercing; keep the piercing clean afterward and let it heal for 1 to 3 months.
Steps
-
Pucker your lips and suck your cheeks in. To start exercising your cheek muscles, make a face as though you just ate a lemon or something remarkably sour. Your lips should be in a slight pucker or pout and your cheeks should be partially sucked in. Your teeth should not be clenched together, as this can prevent you from sucking your cheeks in, but your lips do need to be closed. [2] X Research source
- Note - this method is a folk remedy. In other words, it's not supported by any sort of scientific evidence, but rather by vague, unverifiable, anecdotal evidence. Thus, it is not guaranteed to work.
- Your cheeks should naturally indent inward, with the deepest part of the indentation resting in between your top and bottom teeth, roughly halfway between the front and back of your mouth.
- Try eating or drinking something sour if you have a hard time imagining the appropriate facial expression - your natural reaction to sourness is what this exercise is imitating.
-
Press and hold the indentations. Locate the areas on your cheeks where the indentations are the deepest. Gently hold this spot down on both cheeks using both index fingers. Keep your fingers firmly fixed to these spots as you prepare to move your mouth.
- You can also hold these spots with your thumb or the rounded end of a pencil if you find it easier.
Advertisement -
Smile and reposition your fingers as necessary. Gradually ease your expression into a wide grin, keeping your fingers fixed to the same spots on your face. Your smile should be wide and open-mouthed, as natural dimples generally appear when someone has a fairly wide smile. Your fingers should now be positioned near the corners of your smile, where dimples would naturally occur if you had them. [3] X Research source
- Check your appearance in a mirror. If the location of your fingertips seems slightly off, you may need to slightly slide your fingertips across your cheeks to the proper location.
- Press your desired dimple area firmly with your fingertips or with the rounded end of a pencil. For temporary dimples, release immediately. Take a picture, if desired. [4] X Research source Note that these dimples will disappear as soon as you relax your mouth.
-
Continue pressing for 30 minutes or more. To train your cheeks into forming more lasting dimples, you will need to continue to firmly hold these indentations in place for at least 30 minutes.
- The longer you can hold your “dimple” marks in place, the more luck you will have in getting them to last.
- In the past, there were actually mechanical devices aimed at creating dimples by applying consistent pressure to these spots on your face. [5] X Research source These devices were never scientifically proven to work, but some swore by them. This dimple exercise mimics the action of such a machine.
-
Repeat daily. Continue practicing 30-minute dimple “exercises” on a daily basis for several weeks. If a month passes and you still have not created lasting dimples, you may want to move on. Since this technique is not supported by scientific evidence, but by hearsay, if you don't eventually have success, it may simply not work for you.
Advertisement
-
Smile wide! Look into a mirror and smile a wide but natural smile. Gauge the general location where you want your fake dimples to be. [6] X Research source
- When you smile, natural creases should form outside of your mouth. Your “dimples” should fall just outside of these creases, beginning roughly around the area just above the upper points of your lips.
- Make sure to smile broadly, but not unnaturally so. Real dimples are most prominent during particularly wide smiles, so you will get a better idea for where your cosmetic dimples should be if you make a wide grin, rather than a reserved one. Don't be shy !
- Note - this method works best to create temporary dimples suitable for pictures. It may look unnatural if worn out in public.
-
Mark the tops of your new dimples. Dimples usually appear as short lines or slight crescent shapes. Using a dark brown pencil eyeliner or eyebrow pencil, make a small dot at the top of where you want your desired dimple line to be.
- Dark brown works bests because it blends into the skin more naturally. Black and colored eyeliner should be avoided.
-
Draw a small crescent moon shape on your cheek. With the tops of your dimples marked, relax your mouth. Draw a small, slightly curved line starting at the dot you have marked. Use the same eyeliner or eyebrow pencil you used to create the dot. [7] X Research source
- The line should extend no further than 1 inch (2.5 cm) below the dot. It should be just barely curved - slightly straighter than the curve of a fingernail.
-
Blend and re-draw as necessary. Now that your dimples have been drawn on, you need to adjust your makeup so that the final product appears subtle and natural. Use your fingers or a smudge stick to blend the line into your skin, rubbing the line up and down rather than side to side. [8] X Research source
- One application may not create a line of suitable darkness, so you may need to draw over the line and blend it in several times.
-
Smile to check your results. Critique your new dimples in the mirror - are they even? Are they too dark? Not dark enough? Do your dimples look unnatural in certain types of lighting? If anything about your makeup doesn't seem quite right, don't be afraid to wash it off and try again. [9] X Research source
Advertisement
-
Go to a professional piercer. Like all piercings, cheek piercings carry a risk of infection if performed without regard for proper sanitation. Do not attempt to perform a cheek piercing at home. Only go to reputable, qualified professionals - ones that have the training and tools necessary to minimize your risk of infection or complication. [10] X Research source
- Most professional body piercers will refuse to perform a dimple piercing on anyone under the age of 18, even with a guardian's permission. The precise age cutoff, however, differ based in the laws in your state or country.
- Note - many professional body piercers discourage dimple piercings at all ages. While ear and nose piercings only cut through skin and cartilage, dimple piercings cut through muscle. As a result, there is a greater risk of nerve damage than with other complications. Oral piercings of all types can also cause long-term damage to your teeth and gums. [11] X Trustworthy Source State of Massachusetts Official website for the State of Massachusetts Go to source
-
Clean the area thoroughly. If your piercer is a qualified, reputable one, s/he will clean your cheeks carefully before proceeding with the piercing. The exterior of the skin must be cleaned with anti-bacterial soap, sterile alcohol wipes, or similar method of sterilization to eliminate harmful microorganisms that can cause complications with the piercing. [12] X Research source
- The body piercer may also ask that you rinse your mouth out with bacteria-busting mouthwash to minimize the risk of harmful bacteria from the inside of your mouth infecting the piercing.
-
Make sure that the tools are also clean. Reputable body piercers will use a piercing gun that uses disposable one-use needles, one that's washed in a sterilizing autoclave, or a single-use disposable needle on its own (no gun). The needle used to pierce your cheek must be sterile beyond a shadow of a doubt. Never, ever receive a piercing using a dirty needle. [13] X Research source In addition: [14] X Trustworthy Source Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Main public health institute for the US, run by the Dept. of Health and Human Services Go to source
- The needle may also be heated before use to further sterilize it.
- The hands of the body piercer should also be washed thoroughly with anti-bacterial soap. The body piercer may or may not wear disposable gloves.
- The jewelry should also be cleansed in anti-bacterial solution.
-
Get pierced. The body piercer will use the needle to quickly puncture the skin at the exact location where natural dimples would fall. Immediately after piercing the skin, the body piercer should place the jewelry into the holes and treat the punctured area with more anti-bacterial solution. [15] X Research source
-
Maintain proper treatment after the piercing is done. New piercings require special care to reduce the risk of infection or complication. Ask your piercer for instructions - you will probably need to clean the pierced area with saline solution several times each day until the piercing heals.
- The body piercer may provide you with a solution, but if not, you can make one by adding 1 tsp (5 ml) of salt to 8 oz (250 ml) of pure distilled water. [16] X Trustworthy Source National Health Service (UK) Public healthcare system of the UK Go to source
- Apply the saline solution with a sterile cotton swab. Swab the area next to the jewelry rod and gently clean beneath the head of the jewelry.
- Avoid playing with the jewelry as it heals. Fiddling with your jewelry can transfer bacteria from your hand into the wound, and also causes the piercing to shift from its original location, irritating the wound.
-
Leave the piercings in for one to three months. It will usually take at least this long for the piercing to heal . The piercing needs to heal with the jewelry in before it can be safely removed. Removing the jewelry prematurely may allow the piercings in your cheeks to close up. Waiting at least one month (and up to three) should provide your cheeks ample time to partially heal. [17] X Trustworthy Source Mayo Clinic Educational website from one of the world's leading hospitals Go to source
- As soon as you remove the piercings, your skin will begin the process of healing itself. Until the skin heals, you will have two small holes in your cheek. After the skin heals, however, you should be left with two dimple-like indentations in your cheek.
- Take care, during this time, to keep track of the types of jewelry you are wearing in your dimples. Some people can have allergic reactions to certain types of metal used in jewelry, especially cheaper varieties.
- Note - piercings are semi-permanent! Your new "dimples" will be in your cheeks at all times, regardless of the expression on your face.
Advertisement
Community Q&A
Search
-
QuestionHow dimples are formed?This answer was written by one of our trained team of researchers who validated it for accuracy and comprehensiveness.wikiHow Staff EditorStaff AnswerDimples are the result of shortened muscles (or deformities in the muscles) of the face. Debate remains open as to the genetic nature of dimples, with some scientists seeing a genetic basis and others not seeing evidence for this at all (J. H. McDonald, University of Delaware, accessed 2018). This uncertainty is bolstered by the fact that dimples may come and go during a person’s lifetime, suggesting other factors are also at play.
-
QuestionCan dimples appear later in life?This answer was written by one of our trained team of researchers who validated it for accuracy and comprehensiveness.wikiHow Staff EditorStaff AnswerYes, this is certainly possible, which is why some scientists do not think they are genetically based (J. H. McDonald, University of Delaware, accessed 2018). Dimples can come and go throughout a lifetime, and older age could see facial changes that produce dimples. No guarantees though!
-
QuestionAre dimples rare?This answer was written by one of our trained team of researchers who validated it for accuracy and comprehensiveness.wikiHow Staff EditorStaff AnswerIt is thought that about 20% of the population has dimples. It’s not too uncommon but uncommon enough for some of the dimple-less majority of the population to be rather envious!
Ask a Question
200 characters left
Include your email address to get a message when this question is answered.
Submit
Advertisement
Video
Reader Videos
Submit a Video Tip!
Share a quick video tip and help bring articles to life with your friendly advice. Your insights could make a real difference and help millions of people!
Submit a Video
Coming Soon!
Tips
- Don't let a quest for dimples derail your self-esteem or mental health! If desire for dimples becomes an obsession or starts to negatively affect other aspects of your life, contact health care provider.Thanks
- Dimples do look nice, but you should be yourself.Thanks
- You can get a bottle cap and suck in your cheek. But, it will be a fake dimple.Thanks
Submit a Tip
All tip submissions are carefully reviewed before being published
Name
Please provide your name and last initial
Thanks for submitting a tip for review!
Advertisement
Warnings
- Note that dimple piercings can cause unexpected, long-term damage to your cheek muscles and nerves, as well as damage to your teeth and gums. [18] X Trustworthy Source State of Massachusetts Official website for the State of Massachusetts Go to source Improper care of a dimple piercing can also lead to grave infections. Only use this method if you are completely prepared for the potential consequences.Thanks
Advertisement
Things You'll Need
- Mirror
- Pencil
- Anti-bacterial solution
- Saline solution
- Dark brown eyebrow pencil or eyeliner
- Blending brush
References
- ↑ https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smithsonian-institution/ask-smithsonian-what-is-dimple-180960272/
- ↑ https://beautyhealthtips.in/how-to-get-dimples-naturally-on-cheeks/
- ↑ https://beautyhealthtips.in/how-to-get-dimples-naturally-on-cheeks/
- ↑ http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gwYwK0gljMU
- ↑ http://www.neatorama.com/2008/04/05/the-dimple-machine/
- ↑ https://www.youtube.com/watch?time_continue=1&v=f4N-z0QqqlY
- ↑ http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-WocrLJNvL8
- ↑ https://www.youtube.com/watch?time_continue=1&v=f4N-z0QqqlY
- ↑ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4E0aY7h3qOE
- ↑ https://horrorkitschbitch.com/2017/02/10-things-you-need-to-know-about-cheek-piercings-dimples.html
- ↑ https://www.mass.gov/files/documents/2016/07/uw/piercing-oral-health.pdf
- ↑ http://www.floridahealth.gov/environmental-health/body-piercing/_documents/SterileFieldSetup.pdf
- ↑ https://www.freshtrends.com/pages/dimple-piercing
- ↑ https://www.cdc.gov/hiv/pdf/library/factsheets/cdc-hiv-clean-your-syringes.pdf
- ↑ http://www.floridahealth.gov/environmental-health/body-piercing/_documents/SterileFieldSetup.pdf
- ↑ https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/body-piercing/
- ↑ https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/adult-health/in-depth/piercings/art-20047317
- ↑ https://www.mass.gov/files/documents/2016/07/uw/piercing-oral-health.pdf
About This Article
Thanks to all authors for creating a page that has been read 3,458,390 times.
Reader Success Stories
- "The exercises worked like a charm. I am not at the age were I am allowed to use makeup and piercings are painful, so these exercises really relieved me and help a bunch. Thanks." ..." more
Advertisement