THE CHEEK OF IT
Surgery can give you dimples
● Susie Donald* finds it difficult to stop smiling since a surgeon gave her the dimples she’s always wanted.
The Cape Town beauty industry worker was so determined to up her “cuteness factor” that she saved for a year to get surgically created cheek indents — “dimpleplasty”.
It’s a phenomenon believed to have started in Asia, influenced by celebrities such as Brad Pitt, John Legend, Jennifer Garner, Harry Styles, Beyoncé and the Duchess of Cambridge — all of whom were born with natural dimples.
“I’ve always wanted dimples. At first I did a cheek piercing, then I heard about dimpleplasty and I decided that’s what I want,” said Donald. “I love to show off my dimples. Just as some women want long, luscious eyelashes, I wanted dimples. They’re so cute, I really feel pretty with them.”
Donald said she saved R1 000 a month for a year for the procedure. “My friends and family love it. This is the first and only form of plastic surgery I’d do.”
Plastic surgeons and aesthetic doctors say the procedure is gaining momentum among women, mainly in their 20s, who aspire to emulate local dimpled celebrities such as Khanyi Mbau and Bonang Matheba.
Mbau sees nothing wrong in women enhancing their features. “We are creators of our story. Go crazy! Be it boobs, buttocks, a smile or dimples, do it. Just as long as women have enough reason and make their choice with a sober mind, I’m OK with it.”
But medical experts warn that if a dimpleplasty is not done properly, the consequences could be dire. “Although the treatment is minimally invasive, there are still risks involved such as deformities, scarring or even nerve or muscle damage that could affect your speech,” said Dr Anushka Reddy, head of the South African Association of Cosmetic Doctors.
“Dimpleplasty is gaining traction with millennials in particular. Requests for the procedure have almost tripled among millennial-aged patients in North America and Europe due to its little downtime, enhancement of facial aesthetics, and lack of need for general anaesthesia.
“The procedure is minimally invasive and takes about 30 minutes. During that time, a small incision is made in the mouth to create a defect in the cheek. The muscle is then attached to the undersurface of the skin and then, when you smile, you get the dimples effect,” said Reddy.
Cape Town plastic and reconstructive surgeon Dr Clare Neser, who also said the procedure was becoming increasingly popular, said a doctor began by identifying the correct position for the dimple.
“This is planned and marked onto the skin before surgery. A small incision is carefully made on the inside of the cheek and a suture technique is used to create an adhesion between the undersurface of the skin and the cheek to mimic a natural dimple.”
Neser, who has done the procedure numerous times, conceded there are risks. “If not done correctly, the result can look overdone and unnatural, the dimple can fade over time or be in the wrong position. It can be complicated by infection or poor scarring, and in rare instances nerve or muscle damage. So it is important to be sure your plastic surgeon is trained, qualified and registered.” * Not her real name
Although the treatment is minimally invasive, there are still risks involved . . .