A well-known, energetic, 93 year-old patient comes to the geriatric clinic for her regular follow up. Noted on her general physical were back dimples. Casually she mentions that they have been there since her younger days. Decades have passed, the eyesight has blurred, skin has wrinkled, hair has thinned, bones are brittle, but the dimples have not changed.

What is actually an imperfection of the skeletal and muscular interconnections of the lower back— the Dimples of Venus are considered a mark of beauty in today’s society. The reason why is not so easily defined. Is it body symmetry? Is it a sign of fertility or pelvic stability? Or is there beauty in imperfection? It is almost as difficult as trying to define beauty itself, an endless debate.

But for our patient, one thing is certain: Though they say “good looks will fade”, these dimples are here to stay.