Facial features like smile lines and dimples often stand out because, as the article notes, “they’re among the first things people notice when you smile or laugh.” While some see them as simple aesthetic details, others view them as personal markers shaped by family traits, personality, and time. Although they appear on the same face, they come from very different biological processes.

Smile lines, or nasolabial folds, form as the face changes over time. In youth, “cheeks are fuller, skin is taut, and collagen levels are high,” which keeps these lines subtle. As aging continues, collagen slows and facial fat shifts, making the folds more visible. This process varies widely depending on bone structure, skin quality, and facial anatomy.

Lifestyle also plays a role. The article explains that “sun exposure accelerates collagen breakdown,” while smoking weakens skin fibers. Repeated expressions like smiling and laughing reinforce these creases. Still, smile lines are not flaws; they reflect expressiveness and emotional warmth, acting as “physical evidence of a life filled with communication and emotion.”

Dimples, however, usually appear at birth. They result from a variation in the zygomaticus major muscle, which causes the skin to pull inward during a smile. Dimples often run in families and, unlike smile lines, “do not deepen with age,” though some may fade as muscles change.

Understanding the difference helps avoid unfair comparisons. Smile lines are often mistaken for aging signs, while dimples are seen as playful. In reality, both add character. As the article concludes, every face tells a story shaped by “genetics, time, and lived experience.”