えくぼ形成: Downtime
- Downtime at a glance
- Recovery timeline: treatment day to final result
- Common symptoms
- When can I do what? (Daily-life restrictions)
- Pain and anesthesia
- Tips for a smoother recovery
- Risks and side effects (the honest version)
- Spacing and combining with other procedures
- Who it may suit / who should be cautious
- Frequently asked questions
Downtime at a glance
Cheek swelling and discomfort typically last 1–2 weeks. The dimple shows even at rest at first, but is generally said to settle over 1–3 months into a natural state that appears only when you smile.
Typical downtime is Swelling and bruising last about 1–2 weeks (the resting indentation typically takes 1–3 months to settle), and most people feel comfortable being seen in public after Often said to be possible from the next day to a few days later (the swelling is easy to hide behind a mask, and an early return is a realistic guideline for desk work). How much swelling or bruising appears varies from person to person, depending on constitution and the extent of treatment.
Recovery timeline: treatment day to final result
Once the local anesthesia wears off, you may feel a dull ache or a pulling sensation inside your mouth. Lightly cooling the cheek from the outside is said to help the swelling settle. Wait until the anesthesia has worn off before eating, and choose soft foods while avoiding anything hot, spicy, or hard. On the day itself, avoid alcohol, strenuous exercise, and long baths, and rinse your mouth gently rather than swishing hard. The dimple shows clearly even at rest at this point, but at this stage that is considered an expected part of the process.
Cheek swelling and discomfort inside the mouth continue during this period. If bruising develops, it may appear as blue-purple marks on the skin of the cheek. Soft, non-irritating foods remain the safest choice. With a mask on, going out and desk work are often said to be possible, but if your job involves a lot of talking, allowing a few extra days is reassuring.
The swelling often passes its peak and gradually starts to go down around this time. Pain inside the mouth also tends to ease. Keep brushing your teeth and rinsing gently without hitting the wound — keeping the mouth clean is said to help prevent infection. The dimple's indentation is generally still quite pronounced at this stage.
Most of the major swelling has usually settled and bruising is often fading by this point. Dietary restrictions ease as well, but it is safer to keep avoiding very hard foods and wide-open-mouth movements a little longer. The resting dimple usually still remains, so a mask is helpful if you would rather keep it private. A visit for suture removal or a checkup may be scheduled (this may not be needed if absorbable sutures were used).
Swelling and bruising are usually barely noticeable by this stage. The dimple's indentation gradually starts to become shallower, though it typically still shows faintly at rest. Most restrictions on daily life are lifted, and this is a typical guideline for returning to your usual exercise and bathing routines.
Even if some discomfort or a small lump remains inside the mouth, it tends to bother you less and less around this time. The resting indentation fades, and more people are said to start getting a feel for the dimple appearing with their expressions. The pace of settling varies from person to person, and some people still have a clearly visible indentation.
This is the typical point at which the tissue has settled and the dimple approaches a natural state, appearing only when you smile. The final result — depth, position, and symmetry — is reviewed, and if anything concerns you, discuss with your doctor whether a revision is needed. How the dimple settles varies from person to person, and it can take longer to reach the final result.
Bars show approximate swelling levels (individual results vary).
Common symptoms
| Symptom | Likelihood | When it appears | How long it lasts | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cheek swelling and puffiness | High | Immediately after the procedure | 1–2 weeks | The cheek may look puffy, mainly around the area worked on inside the mouth. Swelling is generally said to peak around days 2–3 and then gradually subside. |
| Dimple showing even at rest (indentation and pulling sensation) | High | Immediately after the procedure | 1–3 months | While the suture is holding the tissue, the dimple looks indented even when you are not smiling. This is considered an expected part of recovery, and in most cases it is said to gradually settle into appearing only when you smile. |
| Pain and discomfort inside the mouth | High | Immediately after the procedure to a few days | A few days to 1 week | You may notice stinging or a pulling sensation when eating or talking. In most cases this is said to be manageable with the prescribed pain medication. |
| Bruising (blue-purple marks on the cheek) | Medium | Same day to a few days | 1–2 weeks | A bruise may appear on the skin of the cheek. It usually fades gradually, turning yellowish along the way, and is often said to be light enough to cover with makeup. |
| A small lump or bump at the suture knot | Medium | A few days after surgery onward | A few weeks to a few months | You may be able to feel a small lump at the fixation point. It is generally said to become less noticeable over time, but consult your doctor if it persists. |
| Asymmetry, or the dimple becoming shallower or disappearing | Low | A few weeks to a few months later | Depends on the course | If the suture loosens or comes undone, the dimple may become shallower or disappear. A difference in position or depth between the two sides can also remain; if this concerns you, discuss options such as re-fixation with your doctor. |
| Infection or worsening swelling | Low | A few days after surgery onward | Varies with treatment | Because the mouth harbors many bacteria, infection can occur in rare cases. See a doctor promptly if you have severe pain, worsening swelling, or fever. |
When can I do what? (Daily-life restrictions)
| Activity | Typically OK from | Key point |
|---|---|---|
| Makeup | From the same day to the next day (avoid rubbing the cheeks hard) | Because there is usually no wound on the skin's surface, makeup itself is generally said to be possible early on, but it is safer to avoid pressing or rubbing the cheeks firmly for a few weeks. |
| Face washing | From the same day (gently) | Avoid washing in a way that massages the cheeks firmly; cleanse gently with lather. |
| Eating | Once the anesthesia has worn off (a few hours later) | For a few days, avoiding hot, spicy, or hard foods and high-alcohol drinks — and choosing soft, non-irritating foods — is said to reduce the strain on the wound. |
| Tooth brushing and mouth rinsing | From the same day (gently, avoiding the wound) | Keeping the mouth clean is said to help prevent infection. Rinsing too vigorously strains the wound, so rinse gently, and use any prescribed mouthwash as directed. |
| Shower | Often said to be fine from the same day | A short, lukewarm shower is generally considered fine. |
| Bathing (soaking in the tub) | From 2–3 days later | Because a strong boost in circulation can worsen swelling and bruising, it is safer to hold off for a few days. |
| Alcohol | From about 1 week later | Alcohol boosts circulation, which can prolong swelling, and can also irritate the wound inside the mouth, so it is safer to abstain for a while. |
| Exercise | Light exercise from about day 3; strenuous exercise from about 1 week later | Increased circulation makes swelling and bruising more likely, so resume gradually. |
| Sauna and hot stone spa | From about 1–2 weeks later | High heat boosts circulation and can make swelling more noticeable, so it is safer to hold off for a while. |
| Opening the mouth wide / cheek massage | From about 2–4 weeks later | Strong force on the anchoring suture may cause it to loosen or come undone. It is safer to avoid big yawns, biting into hard foods, and firmly kneading the cheeks for a while. Follow your doctor's instructions on the specific timeframe. |
Pain and anesthesia
The typical pain level is Mild. Local anesthesia is standard. If you are worried about pain or feeling tense, some facilities can add nitrous oxide (laughing gas) or intravenous sedation. Options vary by medical institution, so discuss them with your doctor in advance. The procedure is generally performed under local anesthesia, and the main discomfort is said to be a brief pinprick when the anesthetic is injected. After the anesthesia wears off, the wound inside the mouth may sting when eating or feel tight for a few days, but this is usually said to be manageable with the prescribed pain medication. Pain perception varies from person to person.
Tips for a smoother recovery
- For the first 2–3 days, lightly cooling the cheek from the outside and avoiding activities that strongly boost circulation — alcohol, strenuous exercise, long baths, saunas — tends to keep swelling and bruising down.
- Choosing soft, non-irritating foods for a few days and sparing the wound inside your mouth is considered key to not slowing your recovery.
- Keeping the mouth clean with tooth brushing and gentle rinsing is said to help avoid prolonged swelling caused by infection.
- Sleeping with your head slightly elevated is said to make facial puffiness less likely to build up.
- If you have an important event such as a wedding or photo shoot, allow for the time it takes the resting indentation to settle — having the procedure at least 3 months in advance gives you a comfortable margin.
Risks and side effects (the honest version)
- The dimple's position, depth, or shape may differ between the two sides, or the result may not match the image you had in mind. How the result is perceived varies from person to person.
- The dimple may become shallower or disappear if the suture loosens or comes undone. How long it lasts varies from person to person; if you are considering a revision or re-fixation, discuss it with your doctor.
- The period during which the indentation shows even at rest may last longer than expected. It is generally said to settle over time, but in some cases it persists for a long period.
- Because the mouth harbors many bacteria, infection can occur in rare cases, with stronger swelling and pain. See a doctor promptly if you have severe pain, worsening swelling, or fever.
- A lump at the suture knot, exposure of the suture, or lingering discomfort inside the mouth can occur. Do not judge worrying symptoms on your own — contact the medical institution where you had the procedure.
- Once a dimple has settled in, it may not disappear on its own, and a complete return to your original appearance is not always possible if you change your mind. Always decide whether to have the procedure — together with its risks — at an in-person consultation with a physician.
Spacing and combining with other procedures
If you have a big event such as a wedding or photo shoot, allow for both the swelling and bruising period (1–2 weeks) and the time it takes the resting indentation to settle (1–3 months) — having the procedure at least 3 months before the event gives you a comfortable margin. For adjusting asymmetry or re-fixing a dimple that has become shallow or disappeared, the decision is often said to be made after waiting around 3 months, once the swelling has gone down and the tissue has settled. While the dimple is still settling, the final shape is not yet fixed, so avoid deciding on an early revision — have a doctor determine the timing at an examination.
| Combined procedure | Timing | Wait time | Reason |
|---|---|---|---|
| Botox Injection (Jaw / Masseter) | Wait required | About 2–4 weeks later, once the swelling has settled | While the cheek is swollen, the jawline is hard to assess, which can affect decisions about the injection. It is generally considered prudent to wait until the swelling from dimple creation has gone down. Your doctor will decide whether the combination is possible and in what order. |
| Hyaluronic Acid Filler (Cheeks / Nasolabial Folds) | Wait required | About 1 month as a guideline | A change in cheek volume may affect how the dimple appears and how deep it looks. It is advisable to watch how the dimple settles and discuss the area and amount with your doctor. |
| Thread Lift | Wait required | About 1–3 months as a guideline | Because this procedure lifts the cheek tissue, it may put force on the dimple's fixation point or change how its position appears. Discussion with your doctor is needed, including which procedure to have first. |
| Cheek Liposuction / Buccal Fat Removal | Wait required | About 1–3 months as a guideline | A change in the amount of cheek fat may alter the dimple's depth and how it appears. If you are planning contouring surgery, it is considered prudent to plan the order of procedures with your doctor from the start. |
Who it may suit / who should be cautious
May suit you
- Those who want a dimpled look when they smile
- Those who want a softer impression around the mouth in photos and videos
- Those who prefer a method unlikely to leave a scar on the surface of the face
- Those who want to decide the dimple's position and depth in consultation with a doctor
Consider carefully
- Those who cannot accept that the indentation may show at rest for several months
- Those who cannot accept the possibility of the dimple becoming shallower or disappearing
- Those with an infection, inflammation, or dental condition under treatment in the mouth
- Those with wound-healing concerns such as a tendency to keloids, whom a doctor judges unsuitable
- Those who are pregnant or breastfeeding and are advised to reschedule surgery
- Those with medical conditions or medications that lead a doctor to judge the procedure unsuitable