What is the difference between a chin dimple and a cleft chin?
The terms are sometimes used interchangeably but they describe different anatomical features:
- Cleft chin: a vertical groove or split running down the center of the chin, caused by the underlying mentalis muscle being split (incompletely fused during development). Genetic trait, present at rest.
- Chin dimple: a small indentation that appears only with facial expression or smiling, caused by skin attaching to underlying muscle at a specific point.
Cleft chins are continuous structural features. Chin dimples are dynamic and appear only with movement.
Can both be surgically created?
Yes. Korean cosmetic surgeons offer creation procedures for both:
- Chin dimpleplasty: creating a dimple where none existed
- Cleft chin creation: creating a continuous central groove
How is chin dimple created?
The procedure involves:
- Small incision inside the mouth (intraoral, no external scar)
- A small portion of fat and muscle removed at the target dimple location
- Suture passed through cheek muscle to undersurface of skin
- Suture tied creating a permanent skin attachment to deeper tissue
- Dimple appears when the patient smiles or makes expressions
- Procedure time: 20–30 minutes per dimple
How is cleft chin created?
More complex than dimpleplasty:
- Intraoral or external incision (depending on technique)
- Mentalis muscle partially split or repositioned to create central gap
- Skin redraped over the new muscle position
- Suture fixation to maintain groove depth
- Procedure time: 45–60 minutes
How much does chin dimple cost in Korea?
- Single dimple: ₩400,000–800,000 ($300–600)
- Double dimples (chin + cheek): ₩800,000–1,500,000 ($600–1,130)
- Cleft chin creation: ₩1,200,000–2,500,000 ($900–1,900)
- International patient package: 15–25% premium
Comparable US procedure: $1,500–3,500 for dimples, $3,500–7,000 for cleft chin.
How long do chin dimples last?
Results are typically permanent. The suture creates a lasting attachment between skin and underlying muscle. In some cases, the dimple becomes less pronounced over years as tissue adapts, but the core structural change persists. Approximately 5–10% of patients lose the dimple effect over time and may need touch-up procedure.
Can a cleft chin be removed?
Yes, cleft chin reduction is a common procedure for patients who consider their cleft an undesirable feature. The procedure involves:
- Intraoral incision
- The split mentalis muscle is approximated and sutured together
- Sometimes augmented with filler or fat grafting to smooth the groove
- Botox injection to relax muscle activity that maintains the cleft
Cost: ₩1,500,000–3,000,000 ($1,130–2,260). Recovery: 1–2 weeks.
What is non-surgical cleft chin correction?
For patients with mild cleft chins, Korean dermatology offers non-surgical correction:
- Chin Botox: injection into mentalis muscle to relax the split tendency. Smooths mild clefts. Cost: ₩150,000–300,000. Duration: 4–6 months.
- Filler injection: hyaluronic acid filler injected to fill the cleft groove. Cost: ₩400,000–700,000. Duration: 12–18 months.
- Combination: Botox + filler for both muscle and volume correction.
What is the recovery for chin dimple creation?
- Day 1–3: mild swelling and discomfort, soft-food diet
- Days 4–7: return to work feasible, swelling resolving
- Week 2: most healing complete
- Week 4–6: scar contracture finalizes dimple depth
- Month 2–3: final result established
Are there risks specific to chin dimpleplasty?
- Asymmetric dimple depth (if double dimple)
- Over-deep or under-deep dimple (touch-up may be needed)
- Loss of effect over time (5–10% of cases)
- Infection at intraoral incision (rare)
- Nerve sensitivity changes (usually transient)
- Visible scar inside mouth (well-tolerated)
Who is a candidate for chin dimple creation?
- Patients who admire others\' dimples and want to acquire the feature
- Patients with full cheeks where dimples would enhance smile
- Adequate chin tissue thickness
- Realistic expectations about results
- Age 18+ (younger patients\' facial structure still developing)
Who should not consider this procedure?
- Patients with thin chin tissue
- Active oral infections
- Patients seeking exact reproduction of celebrity dimples (anatomy specific)
- Patients dissatisfied with broader chin/facial structure (different procedure needed)
What\'s the trend in 2026?
Chin dimple creation grew in popularity through 2025 as Korean and global celebrities normalized the procedure. The 2026 reports indicate continued growth, with chin dimples specifically being among the fastest-growing minor facial procedures. Cleft chin removal has remained more niche but stable in demand.
Is chin dimple surgery reversible?
Partially. The suture creating the dimple can be surgically removed, but the tissue adhesion that has formed over months tends to maintain some indentation even after suture removal. True reversal is difficult — patients should treat the decision as effectively permanent.
Can chin dimples be combined with other procedures?
Yes, commonly combined with:
- Chin filler for projection
- Chin liposuction for fat reduction
- Sliding genioplasty for major chin reshape
- Lip augmentation for overall mouth-area refinement
- Buccal Botox for cheek slimming
How do I find a qualified surgeon?
- Look for board-certified plastic surgeons specializing in facial procedures
- Review extensive before/after portfolio of dimple work specifically
- Verify clinic registration with Korean Ministry of Health
- Confirm KAHF certification for international patient services
- Read review platforms (Gangnam Unni, UNNI) for procedure-specific feedback
- Choose surgeons who can articulate their dimple placement philosophy
Honest framing
Chin dimple creation is a minor procedure with a real result. It is permanent in effect, low-risk, and produces the feature most patients want. Cleft chin creation is more substantial surgery with higher revision rates. Patients considering either procedure should be confident they want the feature permanently — facial trends evolve, and a permanent feature that\'s currently desirable may not be in 10 years. The 2026 procedure boom is real but driven partly by social media; consider whether you\'d still want this feature without the current cultural moment. For most patients, non-surgical alternatives (filler, Botox) deserve consideration before committing to permanent surgical change.