Breast Dimpling

Overview

Breast dimpling means a small dent, puckering, or pull in the skin of the breast — as if the skin is being tugged slightly inward. It can look like a shallow hollow, a tiny crease, or a patch of skin with a texture like orange peel. Dimpling happens when something under the skin pulls on the tissue that connects the skin to the deeper parts of the breast. Most of the time the cause is harmless, such as a small area of scar tissue, an infection, or a reminder of an old injury or operation. But because dimpling is sometimes an early sign of breast cancer, any new dimpling should always be checked by a doctor.

Breast changes of all kinds are very common, and most are harmless. Dimpling on its own is less common than lumps or general tenderness. Because it is uncommon, doctors usually prefer to check it rather than assume it is nothing.

Anyone with breast tissue can develop dimpling, including women, men, and transgender and non-binary people who have breast tissue. It can happen at any age, but new breast changes are taken more seriously as people get older, because the risk of breast cancer rises with age.

Symptoms

Common symptoms

• A small dent, hollow, or crease in the breast skin that was not there before
• Skin that looks pulled in or puckered, sometimes more obvious when you raise your arms or lean forward
• Skin that looks thickened or has a texture like orange peel
• A lump or firm area you can feel near the dimple
• A nipple that turns inward (inverted) or changes shape
• Fluid leaking from the nipple, especially if it is bloody or clear and only from one side
• Redness, warmth, pain, or swelling of part of the breast
• A change in the shape or outline of the breast

Symptoms in children

• Breast dimpling is rare in children and teenagers
• Breast buds in puberty can feel lumpy and uneven, which is normal, but a true dent in the skin is not typical
• In young people, dimpling is more often linked to a knock or injury, an infected hair follicle, or a small infection of the breast tissue
• Any new dimple in a child or teenager should still be shown to a doctor or nurse

Symptoms in older adults

• New breast changes in later life deserve prompt checking, as the risk of breast cancer increases with age
• Thinning skin, previous surgery, or old scars can cause harmless dimpling
• Sometimes older adults have less sensation in the breast, so a lump may be felt later — regular looking and feeling matters
• Attending breast screening invitations is especially important after age 50 in the UK

Causes

Main causes

• Breast cancer — a small number of dimples are caused by a cancer pulling on the tissue that connects skin to the breast; this is why dimpling is always checked
• Fat necrosis — a harmless lump of scar tissue that forms after a knock, injury, or biopsy and can pull the skin inward
• Breast infection (mastitis) or an abscess — a collection of pus can cause swelling, redness, and puckering
• Scars from previous breast surgery, a biopsy, or a drainage procedure
• Cysts or fibroadenomas — fluid-filled or solid benign lumps that can change the shape of the breast
• Weight loss or weight gain, which changes the shape of the breast and can make the skin look uneven
• Ageing and loss of skin elasticity
• Duct ectasia — a harmless widening of the milk ducts that can pull the nipple in and pucker the skin
• Damage to the tiny ligaments that support the breast

Risk factors

• Being older — breast cancer risk rises with age, and most cases are diagnosed after age 50
• A family history of breast or ovarian cancer, or inherited gene changes such as BRCA1 and BRCA2
• Having had breast cancer before
• Dense breast tissue, which can make lumps harder to feel
• Drinking alcohol regularly
• Being overweight or living with obesity, especially after menopause
• Using hormone replacement therapy (HRT) for several years
• Previous radiotherapy to the chest area
• Starting periods early or reaching menopause late, having a first child later in life, or never having been pregnant
• Not having breastfed (this has a small effect)

When to see a doctor

See a doctor urgently if:

• Any new dent, puckering, or dimple in the breast skin — ask for an appointment within a couple of weeks
• A red, hot, painful, swollen breast with a fever or feeling unwell — seek same-day advice
• Pus coming from the breast
• Bloody or clear fluid from one nipple
• A new inward-turning nipple
• A hard lump that feels stuck to the skin or chest wall, or one that is growing quickly

Book a routine appointment if:

• A dimple that has been there for years and has not changed — mention it at your next routine appointment
• Unevenness in breast shape that you have had since puberty
• Skin changes you are unsure about — it is always fine to ask
• Questions about breast screening or your family history

Diagnosis

A doctor will start by asking about the change — when you noticed it, whether it hurts, and whether you have had injury, infection, or breast surgery before. They will look at and gently feel both breasts and the area under your arms. Depending on what they find, they may refer you to a breast clinic for specialist tests within a couple of weeks. At the clinic, a specialist team will examine you and usually arrange imaging, and sometimes a small tissue sample.

Tests that may be done

• Clinical breast examination — a doctor or nurse looks at and feels the breasts and armpits
• Mammogram — an X-ray picture of the breast, usually for people over 40
• Ultrasound scan — sound waves used to look at lumps and check whether they are solid or fluid-filled; often used in younger people or alongside a mammogram
• Fine needle aspiration or core biopsy — a tiny sample of tissue taken with a thin needle and checked in a laboratory
• Blood tests — if infection is suspected
• MRI scan — sometimes used for people with a strong family history or very dense breast tissue
• Genetic counselling and testing — only if your family history suggests it may be helpful

What to expect at your appointment

A breast clinic appointment usually takes a few hours, because you may have several tests in one visit. A mammogram can feel uncomfortable for a few seconds but is very quick. A biopsy is done with a local anaesthetic to numb the skin, so it should not be painful, and you can go home afterwards. Results are often available within one to two weeks. Waiting for results can feel hard — it can help to bring someone with you and to write down your questions beforehand.

Treatment

Treatment depends entirely on the cause. If the dimpling is from an infection, antibiotics or drainage may be needed. If it is from old scar tissue or a harmless lump, no treatment may be needed at all, just a check-up. If a cancer is found, the specialist team will explain the options and support you through every step. Your doctor will not treat the dimple itself — they will treat what is causing it.

Self-care at home

• Do not squeeze, prod, or press the dimpled area repeatedly — this can make it sore and inflamed
• Take a photo with the date so you can tell whether the area is changing
• Wear a well-fitting, supportive bra, especially during exercise, if the breast feels tender
• Keep the skin clean and dry, and avoid perfumed products on any red or sore area
• Notice the change without panicking — set a reminder to get it checked rather than checking it many times a day
• If you have been given antibiotics for an infection, finish the full course as directed

Medical treatments

If an infection is found, your doctor may prescribe a course of antibiotics, and if a collection of pus (abscess) has formed, it may need to be drained. For harmless lumps or cysts, treatment is often not needed; sometimes a cyst is drained with a needle for comfort. If a cancer is found, the specialist team will discuss a plan that may include surgery, radiotherapy, hormone therapy, targeted therapy, or chemotherapy. These are explained in detail by your own clinical team, who will tailor everything to your situation. Never start or stop any medicine without checking with your doctor or pharmacist.

When is surgery considered?

Surgery may be suggested in a few situations: to remove a lump that is causing problems, to drain an abscess, to remove a harmless lump that is growing or uncomfortable, or as part of cancer treatment. Your team will explain the reason, what the operation involves, and what recovery is like before you decide.

Living with this condition

Most people with breast dimpling carry on with normal life while they wait to be checked. The main practical steps are to keep the area comfortable, avoid tight or scratchy clothing if the skin is sore, and keep a note of any changes. If you are being treated for an infection or following surgery, follow your team's advice about wound care and when to return to normal activities.

Lifestyle tips

• Keep to a healthy weight — this lowers the risk of several cancers, including breast cancer after menopause
• Limit alcohol — the less you drink, the lower the risk
• Stay physically active most days, even with gentle walks
• Do not smoke, and ask for help to stop if you do
• Check your breasts regularly — look in the mirror and feel with the flat of your hand, and get to know what is normal for you
• Attend breast screening appointments when invited

Diet and exercise

There is no special diet that treats breast dimpling. A balanced way of eating — plenty of vegetables, fruit, beans, and whole grains, with less processed food and sugar — supports general health and helps with weight control. Aim for about 150 minutes of moderate activity a week, such as brisk walking or cycling, plus some strength work twice a week. Exercise also helps with sleep, mood, and recovery. If you are recovering from surgery or an infection, ask your care team what is safe for you.

Mental health and emotional wellbeing

Waiting for breast tests, or living with a breast diagnosis, can bring fear, worry, poor sleep, and low mood. These feelings are common and understandable, and they are not a sign of weakness. Talking to someone helps — a partner, friend, GP, or a trained counsellor. If you ever feel you cannot cope or have thoughts of harming yourself, please reach out for crisis support straight away: contact your local emergency number, or a crisis line in your country, or ask your GP for urgent help. You do not have to manage alone.

Prevention

You cannot fully prevent breast dimpling, because many causes — such as old scars, injury, or infection — cannot be predicted. What you can do is notice changes early and get them checked. You can also lower your overall risk of breast cancer by keeping a healthy weight, limiting alcohol, staying active, and not smoking. If you have a strong family history, talk to your GP about whether extra checks or a specialist referral are right for you.

Vaccines

There is no vaccine that prevents breast dimpling or breast cancer. Vaccines do not play a role in this condition.

Screening programmes

In the UK, the NHS breast screening programme invites women aged 50 to 71 for a mammogram every three years; in some areas invitations start from 45 or continue to 74. Screening can find changes before you can feel them, but it is not a replacement for being aware of your own breasts — always report a new change, even if you have had a recent clear mammogram. If you are registered as male or are a trans or non-binary person with breast tissue, ask your GP about what screening applies to you.

Complications

If left untreated

• If the cause is an infection, an untreated abscess can grow, become very painful, and may need drainage in hospital
• If the cause is a cancer, delaying assessment may mean it is found at a later stage, when treatment is more involved
• Untreated infection can leave a scar or a permanent dent in the breast
• Ongoing worry and uncertainty can affect sleep, mood, and daily life

Long-term outlook

The outlook is good in most cases. Many people who are checked for breast dimpling are told it is caused by something harmless, such as scar tissue or an infection that clears up with treatment. Even when breast cancer is found, outcomes have improved a great deal, and treatment is more effective the earlier it starts. The most important thing is not to wait — getting checked quickly gives you the best chance of a clear answer and the right care, whether the news is reassuring or not.

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