When smiling my cheeks bunch up into prominent circles causing dimples. Are they fixable? (Photos)

Question

Male age 31. My cheeks have always been like this. They look normal when not smiling, but when smiling they bunch up into prominent circles causing dimples. First of all I’m wondering, why are my cheeks like this (what is causing it)? Secondly I’m wondering if it’s fixable to achieve a more normal looking and masculine cheek shape when smiling and not smiling. If it is, then what specific procedure(s) would I be looking for?

Anna Chacon, MD, FAAD · Answer

Cause:
The prominent circular appearance and dimples in your cheeks when smiling are typically due to underlying facial muscle anatomy, particularly the zygomaticus major muscle, which is responsible for lifting the corners of the mouth during smiling. Some people naturally have a more pronounced muscle attachment or localized fat pads (malar or buccal fat) in this area, which become more visible when smiling. This is a normal anatomical variation and is often hereditary.

Possible Treatments:
If you wish to soften or alter this appearance, there are a few potential approaches:

Dermal Fillers – Strategically placed fillers can help balance the contour of the cheeks and reduce the contrast between the dimpled area and surrounding tissue.

Botulinum Toxin (Botox/Dysport) – Small, precise injections into the targeted muscle can slightly relax it, reducing the bunching effect when smiling.

Buccal Fat Removal – If excess fat is contributing to the rounded appearance, buccal fat pad reduction may create a slimmer midface contour.

Surgical Options – In rare cases, minor surgical revision of the muscle attachment can be considered, but this is less common and should be evaluated by a facial plastic surgeon.

Summary:
Your cheek appearance is caused by natural muscle movement and facial structure. If you wish to modify it, options include fillers, botulinum toxin, buccal fat removal, or in select cases, surgical adjustment. A facial aesthetics specialist can tailor the approach based on your goals and anatomy.

When smiling my cheeks bunch up into prominent circles causing dimples. Are they fixable? (Photos)

Answers (1)

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When smiling my cheeks bunch up into prominent circles causing dimples. Are they fixable? (Photos)

Answers (1)

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Recommended reading

Everything you need to know about Cheek Augmentation

Our mission is to create a world where every investment in modern beauty is Worth It.