Dimple Surgery Is The Latest Cosmetic Craze, But Is It Worth It?

In recent years, dimple surgery, known amongst cosmetic surgeons as dimpleplasty, has become more widely sought after.

Per data gathered by Grandview Research, the dimpleplasty market had reached nearly $302.50 million in 2022.  Starting at around $1,500, this procedure is typically performed on the face. It is commonly completed by making small incisions on the inside of the cheeks. Surgeons then remove tissue before stitching the site back together, leaving indentations on each side of the face, creating dimples. With people who have rounder faces, buccal fat removal may be required to make the indentations more profound. Unfortunately, there is no guarantee that the patient’s results will be permanent. The formed dent may fade, depending on the healing process.

With the rise of social media, dimpleplasties have gotten more exposure, leaving many urgently seeking the procedure, which is commonly associated with youthfulness. Dr. Kun Z. Kim, MD, known as @KimFacialSurgery on Instagram, has performed thousands of these quick operations that typically take around 30 minutes to complete. The hashtag #dimpleplasty on the platform also shows patients of all facial structures after they’ve undergone the technique. However, one surgeon warns people not to follow this fad simply because it’s currently in style.

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“This is a trend that waxes and wanes in popularity. I do not recommend trends [as the impetus] for surgical procedures as the results tend to be permanent,” New York board-certified plastic surgeon Jennifer Levine, MD, told Allure in January 2024.

While dimple surgeries are mainly considered safe, any surgical treatment has the risk of complications. Potential issues that may arise include excessive bleeding at the incision site, severe bruising, infection, and even nerve damage. Whether or not this surgery is right for you is a matter of preference. For those willing to go through with it, always be sure to research the doctor thoroughly and follow all before and after care instructions.