Smile lines vs dimples comes down to shape and cause. The lines are long folds from nose to mouth corners, present in everyone and deepening with age. Dimples are small, round indentations in the cheek, usually linked to a split cheek muscle that tethers the skin. Dimples don’t worsen with age.
This guide is part of our smile lines overview, which covers the three types of fold.
Comparison table
Both features show when you smile, but they differ in shape, cause, how common they are and whether they change with age.
| Feature | Smile lines | Cheek dimples | Frown lines |
|---|---|---|---|
| Shape | Long curved fold | Small round dip | Vertical lines between brows |
| Location | Nose to mouth corner | Mid or lower cheek | Between the eyebrows |
| Cause | Fat, ligaments, skin attachment, muscle pull | Muscle bundle tethering the skin | Frowning muscles |
| How common | Everyone | Some people | Common with age |
| Change with age | Deepen | Usually stable | Deepen |
| Usual treatment | Filler, laser, lift | None needed | Toxin injections |
A 2024 anatomy review explains that the nasolabial fold forms where the skin below it is firmly attached to the mouth muscle while the cheek above is looser. Dimples work differently. In a 1998 study of 50 half-face cadaver dissections, 34% had a double or split zygomaticus major, the main smiling muscle. In several, the lower bundle attached to the skin, which the authors suggested may create a cheek dimple when the person smiles.
Some people have smile lines and dimples together, since both appear during a smile. In my practice, I check a dimple before treating a nearby fold so that filler doesn’t soften a feature the patient values.
Dahlia dimples
Dahlia dimples vs smile lines is a social media comparison; “dahlia dimples” isn’t a medical term and usually describes curved creases beside the mouth.
The phrase is used online for curved lines that frame the mouth corners when smiling. Anatomically, these are usually part of the nasolabial fold or small creases from the muscles around the mouth, not true dimples. They follow the same rules as smile lines: they’re normal when they only show on smiling, and they may deepen at rest with age, sun and smoking. We don’t recommend procedures designed to create them.
Frown lines
Comparing smile lines vs frown lines: frown lines sit between the eyebrows, come from frowning muscles and respond well to toxin, unlike folds.
Frown lines, or glabellar lines, are vertical creases between the brows. Botox Cosmetic is approved in the US for frown lines, crow’s feet, forehead lines and neck bands, but not for nasolabial folds. The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) doesn’t approve dermal fillers for the area between the brows, while nasolabial folds are an approved filler area. Mayo Clinic notes that repeated frowning, squinting and smiling all help turn expression grooves into lasting lines.
For treating folds, see our smile lines treatment comparison. For lines beside the eyes, read smile lines around the eyes.
Frequently Asked Questions
FAQ
Answers on whether dimples are genetic, whether they turn into smile lines and whether filler for folds can affect dimples.
Do dimples turn into smile lines with age?
Not usually. Dimples come from a muscle bundle tethering the skin, while smile lines come from the fold between cheek and lip. Both may look more visible as skin loses elasticity, but a dimple doesn’t become a fold.
Are dimples a defect?
No. A 1998 anatomy study found a split cheek muscle in about a third of dissected half-faces and suggested it may explain dimples. It’s a normal variation, often seen as attractive, and needs no treatment.
Can filler for smile lines affect my dimples?
It can if product is placed near the dimple or the cheek is overfilled. Tell your injector you want to keep your dimples. They can plan placement in the fold and upper cheek to leave the dimple area alone.
Is Botox used for smile lines like frown lines?
Rarely. Botox Cosmetic is approved for frown lines, crow’s feet, forehead lines and neck bands. Folds are shaped by fat and skin attachment, and relaxing the lip muscles can flatten your smile, so filler or other options are used instead.
If you’d like to know whether a crease is a fold, a dimple or a line, you can book a consultation with Metropole Clinic by ABmedi. For causes and types, return to the smile lines hub.
This article is for general education and does not replace a personal medical consultation.
References
Show sources
- Pessa JE, Zadoo VP, Garza PA, Adrian EK Jr, Dewitt AI, Garza JR. Double or bifid zygomaticus major muscle: anatomy, incidence, and clinical correlation. Clin Anat. 1998;11(5):310-313. pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
- Hong GW, Song S, Park SY, et al. Why Do Nasolabial Folds Appear? Exploring the Anatomical Perspectives and the Role of Thread-Based Interventions. Diagnostics. 2024;14(7):716. mdpi.com
- BOTOX Cosmetic (onabotulinumtoxinA) Prescribing Information. AbbVie. rxabbvie.com
- Dermal Fillers (Soft Tissue Fillers). US Food and Drug Administration. fda.gov
- Wrinkles: Symptoms and causes. Mayo Clinic. 2023. mayoclinic.org
