Dimple Surgery | Dimpleplasty, UK

Medically Reviewed 3rd April 2025, by Mr. Bryan Mayou (GMC: 1414396) - founder of the Cadogan Clinic and one of the world's leading plastic surgeons

What is Dimpleplasty?

Dimpleplasty, also known as Dimple Creation Surgery, is a surgical procedure which creates the appearance of dimples on the cheeks.

A dimple is a small, natural indentation that forms in the skin on the cheeks, to the side of the mouth. They can form on both sides of the face or just one. Dimples are a genetic trait, and studies have shown that up to 37% of people have natural cheek dimples, although this may vary by population.

Dimples are formed due to the way the zygomaticus major (the facial muscle which raises the corners of the mouth when we smile) develops. Typically, this muscle begins at the zygomatic bone in the cheek and runs downward, connecting to the corner of the mouth. In individuals with dimples, the zygomaticus major divides into two sections. One section connects to the corner of the mouth, and the other connects below the corner of the mouth, also joining to the skin above.

Having dimples is not a health risk, and many people are keen to create dimples as they believe it is an attractive trait.

Are Dimples Attractive?

Many people see dimples as an attractive feature, often associating them with looking youthful or friendly. In some cultures, dimples are considered especially beautiful or even lucky. Dimples also create additional facial contours, which can make expressions and smiling stand out more.

Individuals may opt for Dimple Creation Surgery to enhance the contours of their face, achieving a natural, youthful appearance and defining features such as the cheekbones. Others may choose to undergo a Dimpleplasty as they have a dimple on one cheek and wish to make their face more symmetrical, or because they want to restore cheek dimples which have become less defined with age.

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Buccal Fat Removal At a Glance

Surgery Time

60-90 minutes

Time off work

3-5 days

Hospital Stay

Day Case

Shower

After 1 Day

Reasonable Mobility

Same Day

Exercise

After 4 weeks

Sexual Activity

After 4 weeks

Sleeping on back

2 - 4 weeks

Full Recovery

4-6 Weeks

Driving

1 week

Buccal Fat Removal Before and After

During your consultation, your surgeon will show you a range of Dimple Creation Surgery before and after images. This will show you the results that are possible and how Dimple Surgery could be beneficial for you. Your surgeon will select Dimpleplasty before and after photos of their previous patients who had similar concerns and desired outcomes to your own, for a realistic comparison.

For example, if you are looking to create one dimple for a more balanced appearance to your face, they will show you images of patients who also had unilateral Dimpleplasty. This will allow you to see how natural and realistic your surgeon’s results are.

When looking at Dimpleplasty before and after images, it is important to consider:

The experience of your surgeon
The quality and consistency of your surgeon’s results
Have they successfully addressed your specific concerns for previous patients
The image quality of the Dimple Creation Surgery before and after images

Considering Dimpleplasty before and after photos is an important part of researching this procedure, in finding the best surgeon to meet your needs.

Why Do People Have Dimple Surgery?

Dimples are often seen as a highly attractive facial feature and there are many reasons people opt to undergo this increasingly popular procedure:

They wish to enhance their facial contours and features in a highly natural way
They find face dimples an attractive trait
They have a dimple on one cheek and wish to create a more symmetrical facial appearance
Ageing or other facial changes (such as Ozempic face) have reduced the appearance of natural cheek dimples, and they wish to make them more obvious

Your surgeon will discuss your reasons for considering a dimple operation during your consultation. This will help them to create the most suitable treatment plan to meet your needs and to make sure that you are suitable for the procedure.

Who Is Suitable for Dimpleplasty?

Your surgeon will assess whether you are suitable for a surgical dimple procedure during your consultation. They will discuss your concerns and reasons for considering the procedure, as well as your desired Dimpleplasty results and your medical history.

When determining if you are a suitable Dimple Surgery candidate, your surgeon will consider:

Your concerns: Dimpleplasty is suitable for patients who wish to address a lack of expression or contours in their facial appearance or who want to achieve a more youthful appearance
Your reasons for considering surgical dimples: Your surgeon will ask about why you are considering a dimple operation over other facial procedures such as Injectables, Skin Rejuvenation or Facelift
Your desired outcomes: It is crucial to have realistic expectations for the surgery, and your surgeon will discuss this during your consultation
Your medical history: You must be fit and well for a surgical procedure. Although abstaining from smoking is advised before and after all surgical procedures, it is especially important for Dimpleplasty, as it can seriously impact the healing process

In most cases, your surgeon will be able to decide whether you are suitable for Dimple Creation Surgery during your consultation and will discuss this with you straight away. In rare instances where this is not possible, your surgeon will explain why and will ask you to organise a follow-up appointment.

Words from our clients:

"I was extremely satisfied with the care and treatment I received at the Cadogan Clinic. My surgeon was friendly and informative and explained the procedure fully. My procedure went very well and with the excellent care of the nursing staff, I made a speedy and full recovery. Would recommend to anyone."

Eva Berry

"At the beginning before the operation the nurse taking care of me made me feel so comfortable. The surgeon and anesthetist helped me feel so calm. Fantastic before and after treatment"

Scarlett Elliott

"The girls on the reception at the clinic were very pleasant and professional. The nurse who took out my stitches after my surgery was just lovely and took me through step by step what she was doing and she also recommended a great cream to use to help with healing."

Georgina Nolan

“I was treated with care and provided with thorough knowledge about the procedure I was undertaking. My surgeon was very methodical (a perfectionist) and I felt I received A class treatment."

Courtney O'Sullivan

"Outstanding experience from the first appointment to being discharged. Very professional, friendly and a fantastic outcome."

Gemma Stevenson

"Reception staff very welcoming and efficient. Both nurses who I dealt with were fantastic, and the whole team (anaesthetist, surgeon etc) were friendly but professional, and really put my mind at ease. That I was able to stay later than I perhaps needed after my surgery to fit in with my husbands schedule was greatly appreciated."

Emma Davies

Dimple Surgery Cost

Dimple Surgery cost varies depending on the concerns you wish to address and the surgical techniques required.

Cadogan Clinic has collaborated with Chrysalis Finance to offer a variety of payment choices for our patients including:

6 months 0% Interest-free - APR

12 - 60 months at 14.9% APR

Flexible Finance

Get in touch 0207 901 8500

Dimple Surgery cost at Cadogan Clinic includes:

A dedicated surgical patient advisor to support you throughout your surgical journey and discuss Dimple Creation Surgery
A comprehensive pre-operative assessment, ensuring you are fit and well for surgery
Your surgical dimple procedure carried out in one of our state of the art surgical theatres in our dedicated hospital facility
Aftercare and recovery support provided by our specialist cosmetic nursing team
Access to our 24 hour nurses phone line for any questions or concerns
Your follow-up appointments following your Dimpleplasty with our nurses and your surgeon to monitor your recovery and results

What are the Benefits of Dimple Creation Surgery?

Dimple Surgery is a straightforward surgical procedure which can have a highly positive impact for patients.

The principal benefits associated with Dimple Creation Surgery at Cadogan Clinic include:

Enhanced facial contours and expression: Surgical Dimples are a simple, but impactful way of rejuvenating the contours of the face and defining the cheekbones, resulting in more expressive features
Improved facial symmetry: For patients who have one natural cheek dimple, unilateral Dimpleplasty can create a more balanced and symmetrical appearance to the face
Improved confidence: In cases where a patient has lost confidence due to the effects of ageing, weight loss, or a loss of expression, Dimple Creation Surgery can restore a youthful, approachable appearance
Straightforward procedure: Dimpleplasty is a simple procedure, usually performed under local anaesthetic, which takes 60-90 minutes to complete
Long-lasting results: The results of a dimple operation are typically permanent, lasting for the patient’s lifetime. However, significant weight changes or alteration to the shape of the face may impact this.
Natural results: As dimples are a naturally occurring feature of the face, surgical dimples are an impactful but very natural way to revitalise the appearance.

Your surgeon will discuss the benefits of Dimpleplasty with you during your consultation to ensure your reasons and desired outcomes align with the benefits of the procedure.

What Does Dimple Surgery Involve?

Dimpleplasty is a straightforward procedure with minimal downtime, making it a popular choice for many patients seeking to rejuvenate their appearance.

Dimple Creation Surgery is usually performed under local anaesthetic. This means the surgical area will be numbed with an injection, allowing you to remain comfortable during the procedure while still being awake. This allows for a swift discharge from the hospital and contributes to a quick recovery time.

Ahead of your dimple operation, your surgeon will measure your face and mark where natural face dimples would develop. This is usually vertically in line with the outer corner of the eye and horizontally in line with the mouth. Getting the placement of the face dimples correct is crucial to ensure that the result looks natural and proportionate with the rest of the face.

To create surgical dimples, once the local anaesthetic has taken effect, your consultant will make small incisions on the inside of each cheek. They will then stitch the underside of the cheek skin to the underlying muscle using dissolvable stitches. This pulls the skin inwards, creating an indentation. The incisions will then be closed, also with dissolvable stitches. Once you are feeling comfortable and ready, you will be able to leave the clinic.

Dimpleplasty Recovery

Total Dimpleplasty recovery time is around 4-6 weeks, depending on your natural healing process. In the first week following your dimple operation, you will be advised to eat soft foods and avoid spicy foods to allow the area to heal and any swelling to subside. During this time, there may be some bruising around the cheeks, and the area may feel tender to the touch.

You will be given any medication you may need to control any discomfort. However, most patients find they can manage this with over-the-counter painkillers. You will be able to return to light daily activities within a few days of your Dimple Surgery, but exercise and strenuous activity should be avoided for at least four weeks to prevent any strain being placed on the incisions. Your surgeon will advise you on how to keep the incisions clean to optimise the healing process and reduce the risk of infection.

You will have two post-operative appointments at the clinic following your procedure. The first will be with our specialist surgical nurses, one week after your Dimple Surgery. They will examine your incisions to ensure you are healing well and will advise on your aftercare going forward. The second will be with your surgeon 4-6 weeks after your procedure. They will examine your surgical dimples and discuss your results and recovery.

If you have any questions during your Dimpleplasty recovery, our dedicated team of nurses are available 24-hours a day via their recovery phone line.

Dimpleplasty Surgeons

We have invited a selection of the country's very best consultants to join us at the Cadogan Clinic so that you can be sure that whatever the nature of your treatment, you will be seeing one of the top practitioners in the country.

Our Surgeons

Mr. Kshem Yapa

Consultant Plastic Surgeon

Mr. Hagen Schumacher

Plastic & Cosmetic Surgeon

Words From Our Founder

Mr. Bryan Mayou

Simple procedures such as Dimpleplasty, which create an impactful result through the enhancement and creation of naturally appearing facial features, are often some of the most successful surgical procedures, thanks to their positive effects and minimal downtime. In my own experience, and speaking with the surgeons I have worked with, I know that these are often the most gratifying types of procedures to perform.

Mr. Bryan Mayou

Frequently Asked Questions

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Are dimples considered a birth defect?

Some people medically label cheek dimples as a birth defect because they are caused by a genetic change to the typical structure of the facial muscles. However, defect has many negative connotations, and may lead people to believe that dimples are either harmful or unattractive. Dimples have no adverse health implications, and as we can see from the increasing popularity of Dimpleplasty, UK procedures, they are not considered an unattractive facial feature.

Is Dimpleplasty painful?

Dimpleplasty, London, is carried out under local anaesthetic, meaning you will be comfortable during your procedure, with no pain or discomfort. In the first few days following your Dimpleplasty, you may feel some discomfort around your incisions and cheeks, but this will be manageable with medication and will swiftly subside. If you have any concerns or questions during your Dimpleplasty recovery time, our specialist nurses are available around the clock for advice and support.

What are dimples?

Dimples are natural indentations in the skin which can occur on various areas of the body, typically the cheeks, chin, and lower back from birth. Cheek dimples are considered very beautiful and even lucky in some cultures, and some people wish to create their appearance if they were not born with them.

How to get dimples?

If you were not born with dimples, the only way to achieve face dimples is through a straightforward surgical procedure called Dimpleplasty, or Dimple Creation Surgery. This involves creating a small stitch within the cheek tissue to attach the skin to the underlying muscle, creating an indentation. Although various tools are available which claim to create cheek dimples by applying pressure to the mid-cheek area, this will only have a temporary effect, at best, and won’t create the same natural result as Dimple Surgery.

Are dimples genetic?

The overwhelming opinion is that face dimples are genetic, and you are more likely to be born with them if direct members of your family also have them. However, there has been very little research in this area, and it is not fully understood. Dimpleplasty, London allows individuals who admire this natural facial feature, but who have not been born with it, to enhance their facial contours in an appealing and natural way.

What causes dimples?

Cheek dimples occur when the zygomaticus major muscle in the cheek develops in two parts, rather than one. This separation results in a visible indentation in the cheeks – known as a dimple. In some people this is apparent for their whole life, while other find they have dimples during childhood which then smooth out over time.

Is Dimpleplasty permanent?

The results of Dimpleplasty, UK surgery are typically permanent as the skin of the cheek is attached to the underlying muscle. However, changes to the shape of the face due to dramatic weight changes or injury may make the dimples appear less obvious. If you are currently embarking on significant weight loss, your surgeon may advise for you to delay your Dimpleplasty procedure to enjoy the best quality results.

What Are the Risks of Dimpleplasty

Every surgical procedure has associated risks and potential complications. Your surgeon will discuss this with you during your consultation and will ensure you understand how your Dimple Creation Surgery may be impacted. They will also discuss how this could affect your results and healing

Risks and complications that may affect Buccal Fat Removal include

Infection
Bruising
Excess bleeding
Numbness
Seroma or Haematoma
Facial asymmetry
Injury to salivary glands or ducts
Nerve damage

Cadogan Clinic’s consultant plastic surgeons are experts in their field and have performed Dimpleplasty surgery numerous times. Complications can occur for many reasons out of your surgeon’s control, and are not an indication of your surgeon’s qualifications or skill. In the case of unforeseen complications, you may require a secondary or revision surgery.  