Dimpled Chins Explained: Causes & Treatment Options

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Double board-certified dermatologist Ellen Turner explains the best ways to smooth out chin dimples

Co-authored by Ellen Turner, MD and Bertha Isabel Crombet, PhD

Last Updated: January 22, 2026 Fact Checked

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What They Are

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Causes

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Chin Dimples vs Cleft Chin

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Getting Rid of Chin Dimples

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Video

Just like cheek dimples, chin dimples are easy to recognize by the indents in the skin. When it comes to chin dimples, these indents create an overall bumpy look that hints at rippling beneath the skin. If you’ve got chin dimples and want to learn more about this unique trait, we’ve got you covered! Keep reading to discover what causes chin dimples, how common they are, and how to reduce their appearance, with insights from double board-certified dermatologist Ellen Turner.

Dimpled Chin Meaning

An illustration with a side-by-side comparison of a pebbled chin vs normal chin.

Double board-certified dermatologist Ellen Turner says chin dimples, also called peau d’orange, are caused by contraction of the mentalis muscle. This wrinkled texture on the skin's surface can be reduced with Botox or fillers. Alternatively, a chin implant or sliding genioplasty can provide permanent results.

Section 1 of 4:

What are chin dimples?

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Chin dimples occur when the skin on the chin appears bumpy or wrinkled. Dimpling at the chin, also called “peau d’orange” or “orange peel skin,” is caused by the contraction of the mentalis muscle, says Dr. Turner.^{[1]
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Expert Source

Ellen Turner, MD
Double Board-Certified Dermatologist

Expert Interview} The mentalis essentially governs chin expression, working alongside other muscles in the lower face. The muscle may stretch the skin tightly, creating a textured appearance on the chin. As time passes, these marks can become etched in the skin.^{[2]
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- Chin dimples may be slightly visible at all times, but they usually become more visible when making a facial expression.
Meet the wikiHow Expert

Ellen Turner is a double board-certified dermatologist based in Dallas, Texas. She offers an array of dermatology services, including medical, cosmetic, surgical, and laser procedures.

Section 2 of 4:

What causes chin dimples?

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The mentalis muscle is composed of fibers intricately connected to the skin on the chin. So, when the muscle is being tensed or used to convey emotion, the muscle fibers pull the skin in, creating rippling. The level of activity and specific role played by your mentalis is more or less genetically determined, but the actual dimpling is spurred on by a few different factors.^{[3]
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Aging plays a pivotal role in chin dimples. The older we get, the more elasticity and collagen we lose. This increases the possibility of developing a dimpled chin, especially if you naturally hold a lot of tension and expression in the mentalis muscle. Fat loss is another side effect of aging that impacts the face in general, as it leads to sagging and more visible dimpling of the chin.^{[4]
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This term describes a set-back chin and lower jaw that offers little to no definition. When the chin is sunken back in this way, all of the muscles in that group are forced to do some serious heavy lifting to keep the mouth closed, since the natural structure of the face doesn’t offer a ton of structure. This amount of strain on these muscles, including the mentalis, can increase the tone and tension in the chin, resulting in a dimpled appearance.^{[5]
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Section 3 of 4:

How is a cleft chin different from chin dimples?

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A cleft chin usually has a center groove shaped like a “Y”. While “dimpled chin” and “cleft chin” are sometimes used interchangeably, a dimpled chin is different from a cleft chin. A dimpled chin has an all-over bumpy pattern on the skin, while a cleft chin usually has a prominent center groove shaped like a “Y” or a “V.” Moreover, a cleft chin is a genetic trait expressed in the structure of the chin.^{[6]
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- A dimpled chin, on the other hand, may be due to genetic influence, especially if you have a really active mentalis muscle, but it generally develops over time as a result of aging, use, and other factors.

Section 4 of 4:

How to Get Rid of Chin Dimples

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Chemical peels/microneedling A chemical peel works by exfoliating the skin and restoring collagen. Microneedling works similarly, by lightly pricking the skin many times to stimulate the healing response in the body, which smoothes wrinkles by promoting elasticity. These procedures often work best together, as chemical peels rejuvenate the skin and microneedling improves texture. They can also be done in tandem with Botox or fillers.^{[7]
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- Recovery Time: With microneedling, swelling usually goes down in about 3 days, although you’re likely to see the full results about 3 weeks later. A chemical peel is a more intense procedure, with redness lasting weeks and recovery taking months.
- Cost: Microneedling can cost $200 to $700 per session, while a chemical peel costs anywhere from $150 to $3,000 or more, depending on the depth and intensity of the peel.
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Botox Botox is short for botulinum toxin, a chemical that temporarily blocks nerve signals from reaching muscles. According to Dr. Turner, placing a very small amount of Botox in the chin can smooth out the area.^{[8]
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Expert Source

Ellen Turner, MD
Double Board-Certified Dermatologist

Expert Interview} It works by helping relax and release the mentalis muscle, with results typically lasting up to six months. The success of this non-invasive procedure does depend on how much work the mentalis naturally does, as well as the patient’s aesthetic goals.^{[9]
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- Recovery Time: No downtime is required, but you may experience bruising for up to 3-4 days afterward. You’ll be able to enjoy the full effects of the Botox within 1-2 weeks.
- Cost: Chin Botox typically costs between $200 to $600 per session, depending on a number of factors, like how many units of Botox, the clinic or medspa, and the severity of the chin dimpling.
- Injecting a small amount of Dysport or Xeomin can also smooth the chin and treat dimpling, according to Dr. Turner.^{[10]
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  Ellen Turner, MD
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Dermal fillers Fillers, like Radiesse and Juvéderm, are gel-based chemicals injected into the skin to increase volume, which in turn fills in wrinkles for a more youthful look. For a dimpled chin, Radiesse is often used because it acts as a great stabilizer under the skin. Chin fillers can last up to 18 months and may require a re-up after that since the body eventually absorbs the filler.^{[11]
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- Recovery Time: Similar to Botox, there is no downtime required, but expect bruising for 24-48 hours. You’ll see your results once the filler sets in at about the 2-week mark.
- Cost: Costs typically range from $1,200 to $3,600 per session, depending on the number of syringes you choose, the filler brand, the provider, and the amount of filler needed to achieve your desired result.
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Fat transfers A fat transfer, also known as fat grafting, involves harvesting the fat from one area of your body via liposuction, like the thighs or midsection, and reinjecting it into target areas. To reduce the appearance of chin dimples, fat may be injected into the chin, which can increase volume and fill in those pesky dimpled depressions. However, this is more invasive than Botox and fillers and requires a longer recovery time.^{[12]
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- Recovery Time: Swelling will last 1-2 weeks, and healing usually takes up to 6 months.
- Cost: A fat transfer to address chin dimpling may cost between $2,000 and $8,000, depending on various factors like the surgeon, the anaesthesia, and the complexity of the procedure.
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Chin augmentation/surgery There are a few surgical options to address a recessed chin. Placing a silicone chin implant over the chin bone can bring it to the forefront of the face, reducing the appearance of dimpling and balancing out the lower jaw. A sliding genioplasty is a more involved and invasive option, which involves slicing the chin bone and sliding it forward. An implant creates volume, while a sliding genioplasty rearranges the bone.^{[13]
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- Recovery Time: Recovery time for a chin implant is 4 to 6 weeks, while a sliding genioplasty may take up to 6 months to see all of the swelling go down.
- Cost: Chin augmentation typically costs from $2,000 to $6,000, and a sliding genioplasty costs between $5,000 and $10,000. Both of these prices can vary greatly due to factors like the surgeon, anesthesia, the complexity of the procedure, and facility fees.