If you ever wanted to have dimples growing up, a new trend that’s gaining traction online might just be for you, as dimpleplasties have recently spiked in popularity.
Dimpleplasties, a minimally invasive procedure that creates the appearance of natural dimples on one or both cheeks by making two small incisions and removing small amounts of tissue before stitching “slings” between the skin and muscle on either side, Allure reported.
The procedure, which will run you at least $1,500, mimics actual dimples, which occur in roughly 20% to 30% of adults and are caused by a muscle flaw that contracts the attached skin into small depressions as it moves, Allure shared.
Other tools have been designed to pinch the skin and give the appearance of dimples, but now, thanks to the surgery, the dimples can be permanent.
While some might expect the surgery to cater to one sex over the other, the trend is actually being seen in both men and women, as GQ reported that men are among those flocking to get dimpleplasties.
The magazine spoke with a Los Angeles man, Johnny, 34, who chose to get the surgery to even out his face because he only has a dimple on one cheek.
Dr. Kimberly Lee, a board-certified plastic surgeon, is one of several who “recreates nature” by giving patients dimples. Lee spoke with Allure about her work, noting that it’s a very simple process.
“I look to see where the natural smile lines are going to be and use that as a guideline,” she said. “I want the dimples to be formed in a way that looks like they were natural, and they were meant to be there, and they may have even been there when the patient was born.”
While the surgery has been around for the last decade, it boomed in 2022, with market reports showing that the dimpleplasty market size was estimated at $302.5 million.
However, Lee said that the trend, like many others, may soon fade and even leave many with regret. She says this is dangerous as dimpleplasties are often irreversible.
“I do not recommend trends [as the impetus] for surgical procedures as the results tend to be permanent,” Lee told Allure.