One of the newer online trends on TikTok and Instagram is something called bone smashing. And yeah, it’s exactly as it sounds.
Young men, in particular, are claiming to change facial bone structure by causing repeated trauma to their cheeks, jawline, and/or chin. And it’s all part of the looksmaxxing philosophy. The core goal of looksmaxxing is to achieve a very specific masculine facial ideal, with a heavy emphasis on a sharp, defined jawline.
Bone smashing has become a global phenomenon. However, the number of men promoting this who actually DID it is in question. In fact, most started with cosmetic treatments like fillers, and some moved on to surgery to achieve the look without actually taking part in bone smashing. Meanwhile, they’re delivering a false and treacherous bill of goods.
The Danger of the Looksmaxxing Philosophy
Just as women have been subject to idealized standards for decades, younger men are now getting an unsavory taste of this via the looksmaxxing culture. This culture dictates that men are expected to reach an often unattainable masculine ideal for their faces, focusing on features like a strong chin or chiseled jaw.
It’s an unhealthy trend. There are plenty of studies that show a direct correlation between algorithm-driven content and rising rates of body dysmorphia in young men. As they stare at these idealized images on social media, and are even bullied for not attaining them, they are willing to go to extremes to achieve them.
This intense pressure has led some to consider bone smashing as a viable solution to achieve that ideal and relieve the insecurities they experience. Unfortunately, it’s anything but a viable solution.
What Happens During Bone Smashing?
Advocates of bone smashing say that you can reshape your face through blunt force. As such, bone smashing recommends using your knuckles or other hard objects to literally smash certain bones in your face. The belief is that breaking down and then rebuilding the facial bone will result in a more angular and masculine appearance.
They’re trying to make bone smashing sound more legitimate by saying it follows the same principles of Wolff’s Law, which is popular in the weightlifting world. The law states that bone remodels and strengthens under mechanical loading. As such, they believe that by smashing facial bones, you can build them back thicker and stronger.
But multiple sources from orthopedic journals to university anatomy departments explain that Wolff’s Law is based on gradual adaptation. Weightlifting utilizes targeted and controlled mechanical stress to build bone over time. Bone smashing, on the other hand, is uncontrolled, acute, and blunt force trauma. Any board-certified plastic surgeon will tell you that bone smashing is NOT effective for facial enhancement.
And it could easily cause much more harm than good.
Bone Smashing Does NOT Work
As mentioned above, a great number of those advocating this heinous practice have not actually participated in it themselves. They’ve typically used plastic surgery or cosmetic procedures to achieve that look. The actual results from bone smashing tend to be nerve damage, facial asymmetry, and chronic pain.
There are numerous reasons bone smashing is just a horrible idea. The uncontrolled blunt force trauma causes microfractures and swelling, not bone growth. It also can’t provide predictable, let alone symmetrical, results. Worst of all, it can cause serious fractures and breaks that could require complex surgery to repair.
In short, bone smashing is not some miracle bio-hack. Rather, it’s self-harm. And you have nothing to benefit from it.
Plastic Surgery Offers Safe and Truly Effective Options
There’s no sense in smashing your bones and hoping for success. It simply won’t happen. Fortunately, there are many effective options over bone smashing for those seeking facial enhancement.
For example, facial fillers like Juvéderm Voluma XC can plump facial contours. Or you could use fat grafting to add subtle volume and shape. Surgically inserted customized facial implants can also augment structure.
So contact us today to discuss which options are right for you. And keep your face intact.