HOW TO REMOVE A CHIN DIMPLE ?

What is a chin dimple ?

The chin dimple, also called a “cleft chin”, is a natural depression located at the center of the chin. This anatomical feature may be present from birth or appear progressively with age, due to muscular changes or loss of subcutaneous tissue.
In some cases, this dimple gives a unique charm to the face. However, many people express aesthetic discomfort, especially when the dimple is deep, irregular, or perceived as disproportionate to the rest of the face.
Today, it is possible to reduce or even completely smooth the chin dimple, without surgery, thanks to safe and customizable hyaluronic acid injections.

Contents

Why do some people want to remove a chin dimple ?

Discomfort related to a chin dimple is based on several factors :

  • Perception of a chin that is too prominent or hollow.
  • Facial feature associated with an aging expression.
  • Asymmetry between the two halves of the jaw.
  • Incompatibility with the desired aesthetic ideal.
  • Accentuation with age due to loss of supporting tissue.

In some patients, the presence of a dimple can accentuate the impression of a “broken” chin and disrupt the balance of the lower third of the face, especially when viewed in profile or in photographs. This feature is often perceived as disharmonious, which explains why the desire to correct it is common.

Is it possible to remove a chin dimple without surgery ?

The current reference solution is hyaluronic acid injection, performed by an experienced physician. This non-invasive technique allows precise filling of the chin dimple to achieve a more uniform and natural appearance.
The objectives of hyaluronic acid treatment are :

  • Gradually fill the central depression.
  • Smooth the contour while preserving natural mobility.
  • Harmonize the chin with the rest of the face.
  • Rebalance the volumes of the lower third.

The hyaluronic acid used is chosen for its cohesiveness and its ability to integrate harmoniously with the tissues, without thickening the chin. The treatment is reversible, adjustable, and leaves no scars.

What are the causes of a chin dimple ?

The chin dimple is not just a simple aesthetic detail: it results directly from the underlying anatomical structure. It appears at the intersection of the mentalis muscle and the mandibular bone, whose particular configuration creates this central depression. Two main mechanisms explain its appearance :

  • Congenital (constitutional) origin : in some people, the dimple results from an embryonic fusion defect of the two halves of the mandible or adjacent muscle bundles. This separation leaves a median groove or a more or less pronounced depression, visible from childhood. It is not a pathology, but a natural morphological variation.
  • Acquired (functional) origin : with age, the chin dimple can appear or become more pronounced due to several factors. Chronic contraction of the mentalis muscle leads to localized hypertonicity; loss of subcutaneous fat reduces the natural support of the tissues; and collagen loss causes central skin sagging. This process most often occurs between 40 and 50 years of age and gives the chin a wrinkled or tense appearance, often accentuated by expressions of the lower third of the face.

Types of chin dimples

Not all chin dimples are the same. The treatment (amount of product injected, injection depth, and type of product used) varies depending on the precise typology.

  • Superficial dimple : it appears as a subtle hollow, often visible only in raking light or during certain expressions. This type of dimple is very well treated with a small amount of hyaluronic acid injected intradermally.
  • Deep and fixed dimple : present both at rest and in motion, it forms a pronounced central groove, sometimes rigid. It requires filling with a denser hyaluronic acid, injected in contact with the periosteum or in multiple layers, to prevent recurrence of the hollow.
  • Dynamic dimple : appears only during muscle contraction (smile, speech). It is often linked to the excessive activity of the mentalis muscle. 
  • Asymmetrical dimple : it may appear only on one side of the chin or be more pronounced on one half of the face. This presentation most often reflects a muscular imbalance or slight bony asymmetry. The treatment then aims to restore visual balance through an injection strategy adapted to each side of the face.

A thorough evaluation by an experienced physician is therefore essential to ensure a customized, balanced, and harmonious result.

Procedure for treating a chin dimple

The treatment begins with an initial consultation, during which the physician performs a precise analysis of the chin depression. They assess the depth of the dimple, skin elasticity, mentalis muscle tone, and lateral symmetry of the chin. This evaluation determines the amount of hyaluronic acid to be injected and defines the strategy best suited to the patient’s morphology.
The injection is then carried out in the medical office. The area is first carefully disinfected, and the injection point is precisely marked. Depending on the chosen technique, the physician uses a micro-cannula or a fine needle to inject the product into the deep dermis or in contact with the periosteum, ensuring a stable and lasting correction. Gentle manual shaping completes the result.
After the procedure, the patient can immediately resume daily activities. The result is visible immediately, but continues to improve over the next five to seven days. Some transient side effects may occur, such as slight redness, swelling, or minor bruising, but they disappear quickly.

Why is hyaluronic acid injection the reference treatment ?

The injection of hyaluronic acid to correct a chin dimple has become the reference solution today, thanks to its safety, precision, and reversibility.
This approach allows for a tailor-made treatment, with complete aesthetic control.
This technique offers several advantages :

  • Non-surgical : no scalpel, no scar.
  • Customizable : adjustment of volume and depth according to the type of dimple.
  • Immediate and natural result.
  • No social downtime : the patient can resume activities the same day.
  • Complete reversibility : possibility to dissolve the product if necessary.

What type of hyaluronic acid is injected into the chin dimple ? 

The choice of a highly cross-linked yet flexible hyaluronic acid is crucial. The product must :

  • Provide good stability within the tissues.
  • Not create rigidity or nodules.
  • Be precisely moldable to respect the natural contour of the chin.

Psychological aspects and reasons for removing the chin dimple

In the vast majority of cases, the request to correct a chin dimple is linked to a negative aesthetic perception of this anatomical feature. While it is sometimes seen as a sign of character or distinction, patients more often describe it as a source of visual discomfort, particularly when taking profile photos or during video calls (Zoom, professional meetings).
The feeling is sometimes intensified by a sensation of constant contraction, even at rest, which gives the face a closed, severe, or tired expression. Some patients mention a mismatch between their actual expression and the one perceived by others.
Correcting this dimple helps restore a more neutral and relaxed expression, reduce attention drawn to this sometimes bothersome detail, and regain a self-image more aligned with one’s own perception. This benefit goes beyond the aesthetic aspect alone: it is often a subtle but meaningful adjustment in how the patient perceives themselves and presents to others.

Before / after chin dimple treatment : the results 

Morphological comparisons before and after hyaluronic acid injection reveal clear yet natural transformations. Before treatment, the central contour of the chin generally shows a marked depression, often associated with a permanent shadow. After correction, this area appears smoother, which softens the overall lower face.
At rest, facial expression tends to be tense or strained in patients with a deep dimple. The injection of hyaluronic acid visually releases this tension, offering a more neutral and relaxed expression. The chin profile, which may show a pronounced midline break before treatment, becomes more harmonious, with a soft and regular curve.
The quality of the skin, sometimes wrinkled or uneven, also improves : it becomes smoother and more even. Finally, the symmetry of the lower face, sometimes imperfect, is corrected thanks to injections that rebalance the lateral volumes.
Standardized medical photography before and after the procedure makes it possible to objectively document the evolution of the chin. In most cases, the result is lasting, subtle, and enhancing, without ever appearing exaggerated.

Key figures of chin dimple treatment with hyaluronic acid

Available clinical data now confirm the effectiveness and reliability of hyaluronic acid injection in the treatment of the chin dimple.
In most cases, that is, about 8 out of 10 patients, the dimple is of moderate to marked intensity and requires on average 1 to 1.2 ml of product to achieve a satisfactory correction. The results appear immediately : 91 % of patients notice an aesthetic improvement at the end of the session, while 85 % describe a visibly softened and more relaxed face.
The result is long-lasting and visible between 14 and 18 months, depending on individual metabolism and skin quality. Side effects remain rare and usually mild : less than 1 % of patients present a persistent swelling or require a touch-up.
These data demonstrate that, in experienced hands and within a rigorous medical setting, correction of the chin dimple with hyaluronic acid is a safe, precise, and highly satisfying approach for patients.

Photo of doctor Valeria Romano in Geneva

Article written by Dr Romano Valeria

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