Hi, I’m Dr Glenn Murray from Absolute Cosmetic. Today I want to talk about bone smashing, because it seems to be a trend on Instagram, and I am not a fan.
I’ll say this upfront. There are trends for things and trends against things, and this is one where I’m genuinely happy there’s a trend against it now. Because what people are doing is getting a hammer, or something like it, and trying to smash their own jaw to make it more angulated, more defined. And I’ll be honest, I can’t really see how that does anything at all.
The Influencer Myth Behind the Trend
Here’s what I actually think is going on. Some of the people showing this off online are just genetically pre-disposed to have strong jaws or more angulated faces, and they’ve decided to say they got there through bone smashing because it gets them followers. And that really disturbs me.
I’ve known a few influencers over the years, and most of them are responsible. But I’ve also seen the other side of it. I knew an influencer who built her following off of a story around her breast implant illness. When I actually asked her about it, she said, “oh, no, no, I’m just increasing my followers.” That was one of the more irresponsible things I’ve come across, and bone smashing has that same feel to it. Someone’s cashing in on a jaw they were probably born with, and other people are out there literally hitting themselves in the face trying to copy it.
The Real Damage You Can Do
So, really crazy stuff. Your jaw is full of nerves and blood vessels you can damage, and I mean that seriously. You don’t want to end up with a droopy mouth, or a droopy side of your face. That’s not something that just fixes itself. So I’d stay well away from this one.
When It’s Not Really About the Jaw
For people who are actually doing this, and I’m not trying to offend anyone here, although everyone gets offended nowadays, I think it’s worth going online and doing a body dysmorphic disorder test. Doesn’t take long to work through honestly. If you come back with a high score, go and talk to your GP and get a referral to a psychologist.
Because here’s the thing. A lot of doctors don’t bring this up. They see something extreme like this and they don’t want to offend the patient, so they don’t say anything. But this is a real disorder, and it needs to be talked about, especially when someone’s literally injuring themselves to change how their face looks. That’s not vanity, that’s something else, and it deserves a proper conversation, not a hammer.
If You Actually Want a Stronger Jawline
If the goal here is genuinely just a more defined jaw, there are ways to get that safely, and none of them involve hurting yourself. There are treatments that can be done along the jawline and chin to add projection and sharpen that angle without any incisions; and it’s assessed properly in a consultation first. If you want something more permanent, surgical jaw and chin options are there too, but that’s a conversation you have with someone qualified, looking at your actual anatomy, not something you do to yourself with a hammer at home.
For any other information on bone smashing, body dysmorphic disorder, or your options for jawline and chin, don’t hesitate to get in touch with our team at Absolute Cosmetic.
FAQ
Is bone smashing real, does it actually work?
There’s no medical basis for it. Hitting your jaw with a hammer doesn’t remodel bone into a more defined shape, it just risks injury.
Why do so many people online say it worked for them?
In most cases they likely had a strong, angular jaw already and are crediting bone smashing for it to grow their following.
What’s the actual risk if someone tries it?
The jaw carries major nerves and blood vessels, so repeated trauma can cause lasting damage, including facial drooping similar to Bell’s palsy.
Could the urge to try this be about something more than the jaw?
Often yes. Repeatedly hurting yourself over how a body part looks is a recognised sign of body dysmorphic disorder, worth raising with a GP.
Is there a proper test to check for body dysmorphic disorder?
Yes, there are online screening tests you can work through honestly in a few minutes, then take the result to your GP if it’s high.
What’s a safe way to get a more defined jawline instead? Dermal filler along the jaw and chin is the non-surgical option, with surgical jaw and chin procedures available for a more permanent change, both assessed in a proper consultation.
This information is general in nature and does not constitute medical advice or establish a doctor-patient relationship. Individual results and suitability vary from patient to patient, and a thorough consultation is required to determine the most appropriate option for you. If you are concerned about your own or someone else’s mental health, please speak with your GP or a qualified mental health professional.
