Are Dimples a Birth Defect?

Dimples are visible indentations of the skin, caused by underlying flesh, which form on some people’s cheeks – especially when they smile (according to wikipedia). Dimples are usually found on both cheeks. A rarer form is the single dimple, which occurs on one side of the face only. Anatomically, dimples may be caused by variations in the structure of the facial muscle known as zygomaticus major. Dimples are not always apparent at rest, since muscles are typically in their shortened state at rest. In the face, shorter face muscles pull at the skin, especially when someone smiles, creating a classic dimple.

Dimples are the visible indentations in facial skin that are either permanently present on cheeks or chin, or appear temporarily while a person speaks or smiles. Dimples are one of the most dominant facial traits.
Generally, dimples are present or appear on both cheeks, but sometime, a rare form of single dimple appears on one cheek. It is believed that dimples are genetically inherited. Studies have found that the parents having dimples give birth to children having dimples.

Anatomically, dimples are caused by the facial muscle called zygomaticus major. Dimples are caused when your facial muscle – zygomaticus major, is shorter than normal; it pulls on your skin and forms the indentation in your facial skin. Cheek dimples are formed by the double or bifid zygomaticus major muscle.

Sometimes, dimples are also caused due to the presence of excessive fat on your face. These dimples are not permanent. They vanish away when the excessive fat goes away. Such dimples are not indicators good health. These dimples can be eliminated through proper diet and exercise.

Dimples are also linked with youth. Some children and youngsters show dimples in tender age, but their dimples disappear when they grow old.

Cheryl Cole Has Beautiful Dimples. Dimples are usually considered as attractive feature of facial beauty. The women and girls with dimples are often considered hot and sexy. An internet survey has shown that the women celebrities having dimples on their cheeks are one of the most hotly searched celebrities on World Wide Web. According to the survey, celebrities like Angelina Jolie and Pretty Zinta are hotly pursued just because of the dimples of their cheeks.

Dimples have always been appreciated in feminine beauty. Definitely, dimples are good when they are natural or inborn, but they could be indicators of bad health, when they appear due to excessive fat on your face.

The genetics of dimples is actually rather interesting. Dimples are a dominant trait, which means that it only takes one gene to inherit dimples. If neither of your parents have dimples, you shouldn’t have them either, unless you experience a spontaneous mutation. If one of your parents have dimples, you have a 25-50% chance of inheriting the gene, since it means that parent inherited the gene from one or both parents. If both of your parents have dimples, you have a 50-100% chance of inheriting the gene, depending on how they inherited their dimple genes. That means that if I marry a woman with dimples, my kids have a pretty darn good shot at being cooler than your kids. Oh, did I say that?

It has been noted in several studies that some cultures tend to prefer dimples on one’s cheek, as it is purported to be a sign of attractiveness. Dimples may also play a role in sexual selection. Most dimples are actually caused by a birth defect, which just goes to show you that not all “malformations” are actually bad. So, are dimples really a sign of attractivenes? That brings a famous saying to mind: “Beauty lies in the eye of the beholder”. But lets face it – that saying doesn’t apply here…dimples are adorable! I do not mind having dimples, not one bit! Since I absolutely HATE to gloat, I wont rub it in anymore for those folks without dimples. NOT! God loves me more, that’s the only explanation!

Smiling IS my Favorite!
My dimples are usually the first thing that people say they notice about me – since I am usually smiling, that would make sense. My dimples are a part of my identity; they are a part of who I am. Luckily for me, I like to smile (Smiling is my Favorite) – could you imagine if I rarely every smiled? What a waste of a fantastic gift from above! Well, since I have dimples, I might as well use them, right?

What do you think? Do you find dimples attractive? Or is that just an old wives tale?