Smile lines and dimples vary from person to person due to genetics, facial structure, and lifestyle.
Smile lines, or nasolabial folds, are creases from the nose to the mouth that deepen as skin ages and loses elasticity.
Dimples, by contrast, are usually inherited and form when a facial muscle variation pulls the skin inward.
Dimples occur when the zygomaticus major muscle splits, while smile lines are influenced by sun exposure, smoking, and repeated facial expressions.
People with fuller cheeks or strong features may show them more clearly.
Although often linked to aging, smile lines are also “a sign of a joyful life filled with laughter.”
Across cultures, dimples are seen as “symbols of beauty or good luck,” while smile lines are viewed as marks of warmth and character.
Together, dimples and smile lines reflect emotion, genetics, and time—visible reminders of expression, connection, and individuality.
