What is a chin dimple ?
Why do some people want to remove a chin dimple ?
Concerns about a chin dimple involve several factors :
- The perception of an overly prominent or indented chin.
- A facial feature associated with an ageing expression.
- Asymmetry between the two halves of the mandible.
- A mismatch with the desired aesthetic ideal.
- Increased prominence with age due to loss of supporting tissue.
In some patients, a dimple can accentuate the impression of a “broken” chin and disrupt the balance of the lower third of the face, particularly in profile or photographs. This feature is often perceived as disharmonious, explaining the frequent desire to correct it.
Can a chin dimple be removed without surgery ?
The current reference solution is hyaluronic acid injection performed by an experienced doctor. This non-invasive technique precisely fills the chin dimple to achieve a more uniform, natural appearance.
The aims of hyaluronic acid treatment are :
- Gradually fill the central depression.
- Smooth the contour while preserving natural movement.
- Harmonise the chin with the whole face.
- Rebalance volumes in the lower third.
The hyaluronic acid is selected for its cohesivity and ability to integrate harmoniously into the tissues without thickening the chin. Treatment is reversible, adjustable and leaves no scar.
What causes a chin dimple ?
A chin dimple is more than an aesthetic detail : it directly reflects the underlying anatomy. It appears at the intersection of the mentalis muscle and mandibular bone, whose particular configuration creates this central depression. Two main mechanisms explain its development :
- Congenital (constitutional) origin : in some people, the dimple results from incomplete embryonic fusion of the two halves of the mandible or adjacent muscle bundles. This separation leaves a central groove or a depression of varying depth, visible from childhood. It is a natural morphological variation rather than a disease.
- Acquired (functional) origin : with age, a chin dimple can appear or deepen under several influences. Chronic mentalis contraction causes localised increased muscle tone ; subcutaneous fat loss reduces natural tissue support ; collagen loss causes central skin sagging. This process most often occurs between 40 and 50 years of age and gives the chin a creased or tense appearance, often accentuated by lower facial expressions.
Types of chin dimples
Not all chin dimples are alike. Treatment (amount injected, injection depth and product type) varies according to the precise type.
- Superficial dimple : a subtle hollow, often visible only in oblique lighting or during certain expressions. This type responds very well to a small amount of hyaluronic acid injected intradermally.
- Deep, fixed dimple : present both at rest and during movement, it forms a pronounced, sometimes rigid central groove. It requires denser hyaluronic acid filler injected against the periosteum or at several tissue levels to prevent the hollow recurring.
- Dynamic dimple : appears only during muscle contraction (smiling or speaking). It is often linked to excessive mentalis activity.
- Asymmetrical dimple : it may appear on only one side of the chin or be more pronounced on one half of the face. This usually reflects muscle imbalance or slight bone asymmetry. Treatment then aims to restore visual balance using an injection strategy adapted to each side of the face.
Careful assessment by an experienced doctor is therefore essential to ensure a tailored, balanced and harmonious result.
How chin dimple treatment is performed
Treatment begins with an initial consultation during which the doctor precisely analyses the chin depression. The assessment particularly considers dimple depth, skin elasticity, mentalis tone and lateral chin symmetry. This determines the amount of hyaluronic acid to inject and the strategy best suited to the patient's morphology.
Injection then takes place in the medical practice. The area is first carefully disinfected and the injection point precisely identified. Depending on the selected technique, the doctor uses a microcannula or fine needle to inject the product into the deep dermis or against the periosteum, ensuring stable, lasting correction. Gentle manual moulding refines the result.
After the procedure, patients can immediately resume everyday activities. The result is immediately visible but continues improving over the following five to seven days. Temporary side effects may occur, such as slight redness, swelling or small bruises, but they resolve quickly.
Why are hyaluronic acid injections the reference treatment ?
Hyaluronic acid injections to correct a chin dimple are now the reference solution because of their safety, precision and reversibility.
This approach provides tailored treatment with complete aesthetic control.
The technique offers several advantages :
- Non-surgical : no scalpel, no scarring.
- Customisable : volume and depth adjusted to the dimple type.
- Immediate, natural result.
- No social downtime : patients can resume activities the same day.
- Complete reversibility : the product can be dissolved if necessary.
What type of hyaluronic acid is injected into a chin dimple ?
Choosing highly cross-linked yet supple hyaluronic acid is crucial. The product must :
- Remain stable in the tissues.
- Avoid creating stiffness or nodules.
- Allow precise moulding to respect the chin's natural contours.
Psychological aspects and reasons for removing a chin dimple
In most cases, requests to correct a chin dimple are linked to a negative aesthetic perception of this anatomical feature. Although sometimes seen as a sign of character or distinction, patients more often describe it as visually troubling, particularly in profile photographs or video conferencing (Zoom and work calls).
This feeling is sometimes intensified by a sensation of permanent contraction, even at rest, giving the face a closed, stern or tired expression. Some patients describe a mismatch between their actual expression and how it is perceived.
Correcting the dimple restores a more neutral, relaxed expression, reduces attention to a detail sometimes considered bothersome and helps restore a self-image closer to one's own perception. This benefit goes beyond aesthetics alone : it often represents a subtle but significant adjustment in how patients perceive themselves and present themselves to others.
Before / after chin dimple treatment : results
Morphological comparisons before and after hyaluronic acid injections show clear yet natural changes. Before treatment, the central chin contour generally has a pronounced depression, often associated with a permanent shadow. After correction, the area appears smoother, softening the whole lower face.
At rest, patients with a deep dimple tend to have a tense or strained facial expression. Hyaluronic acid injections visually ease this tension, providing a more neutral, relaxed expression. The chin profile, which may show a pronounced central indentation before treatment, becomes more harmonious, with a gentle, even curve.
Skin quality, sometimes creased or uneven, also improves : it becomes smoother and more uniform. Finally, lower facial symmetry, sometimes imperfect, is corrected through injections that rebalance lateral volumes.
Standardised medical photography before and after the procedure objectively documents chin changes. In most cases, the result is lasting, subtle and enhancing, without ever appearing exaggerated.
Key figures for hyaluronic acid chin dimple treatment
Available clinical data now confirm the effectiveness and reliability of hyaluronic acid injections for chin dimple treatment.
In most cases, approximately 8 out of 10 patients, the dimple is moderate to pronounced and requires an average of 1 to 1,2 ml of product for satisfactory correction. Results appear immediately : 91 % of patients observe an aesthetic improvement as soon as the session ends, while 85 % describe a visibly softer, more relaxed face.
The result lasts and remains visible for between 14 and 18 months, depending on individual metabolism and skin quality. Side effects remain rare and usually mild : fewer than 1 % of patients develop persistent swelling or require a touch-up.
These data demonstrate that, in experienced hands within a rigorous medical setting, hyaluronic acid chin dimple correction is safe, precise and highly satisfactory for patients.
