Have you ever dreamed of getting dimples when you smile? Some influencers on TikTok have decided to take matters into their own hands to share tips for creating those famous little indentations on the cheeks. However, several experts warn against these tricks, which can cause lasting damage to the nerves in the face.
The “dimple maker” is a cherry-shaped tool made from a curved wire and beads that allows the inside of the cheeks to be pinched.
Dimples are a hereditary trait that results from the separation of a facial muscle. 20 to 30% of people carry this gene.
AFP
On TikTok, the keyword #dimplemakers has more than 60 million views and the product is selling like hot cakes on the Etsy platform.
The tool, invented in 1936, allows you to create dimples without resorting to surgical intervention. However, their use can cause problems for the wearer.
The time it takes to leave a mark depends on several factors, such as the strength of the pliers and the thickness of the user’s cheeks, some experts say.
Dr. Jonathan Kaplan, a cosmetic surgeon at Pacific Heights Plastic Surgery in San Francisco, warned dimple enthusiasts: If the instrument fits too tightly and is worn for too long, it can block blood flow and cause the death of fatty tissue. It can leave a bump on the inside of the cheek and also leave a scar where the skin cells were damaged.
“If you put pressure on a nerve for a long period of time, it can die. The damage is therefore irreversible, argued Dr. Alan Matarasso, vice president of development for the American Society of American Plastic Surgeons. It’s like lighting a match. When dry it can catch fire, but if you soak it for a long time it will stop catching fire.
According to the New York Post