What is Bone Smashing?
Bone smashing is a controversial TikTok trend that involves people intentionally reshaping their faces by breaking the bones in their jawlines and cheekbones. This trend has gained attention and sparked concern due to its potential risks and dangers. The hashtag #bonesmashing has Despite the dangers of the trend, videos with the phrase ‘bone smashing tutorial’ have already racked up 364 million views on TikTok. as some users are claiming to take part in the trend to create a chiseled jawline. Dr. Dan Yamini is a board-certified Beverly Hills, CA Plastic Surgeon of Visthetic Surgery Institute & Med Spa. He states of this trend, “It is based on absolutely no scientific evidence and it goes against all principles of medicine and surgery, not to mention the devastating psychological and ethical ramifications.”
Origins and Technique
The bone smashing trend is based on Wolff’s Law, which states that bones remodel and adapt in response to applied stress. Supporters of this trend believe that by intentionally breaking and then allowing the bones to heal, they can achieve a more aesthetically attractive facial structure.
The technique involves using hard objects such as hammers, bottles, or massagers to hit the face, specifically targeting the jawline and cheekbones. The idea is to create small fractures in the bones, which are expected to heal and potentially result in a more defined facial structure.
Controversy and Risks
The bone smashing trend has sparked significant controversy and concern among medical professionals and experts. The risks associated with intentionally breaking bones in the face are substantial and can have severe consequences.
Injury and Disfigurement: The bones in the face are delicate and complex structures. Attempting to break them without proper knowledge and expertise can lead to serious injuries, disfigurement, and permanent damage. If you ‘displace those bones and then they have to heal on their own,’ you can end up with a malunion fracture, which occurs when a fractured bone heals in an abnormal position. They can lead to health complications and leave you disfigured because ‘the bones are not healed properly. Consulting a personal injury lawyer is essential if you’ve suffered such injuries due to someone else’s actions.
Infection and Healing Complications: Breaking bones in the face increases the risk of infection and healing complications. Inadequate sterilization of tools or improper care during the healing process can result in infections and impaired bone healing.
Misalignment and Bite Problems: Improperly healed fractures can result in misalignment of the jaw and teeth, leading to bite problems, difficulty chewing, and other functional issues. A professional dental company must be approached for solutions to these problems.
Even More Dangerous for Women – While the majority of people talking about the practice appear to be men, women on average have smaller, thinner bones than their male counterparts, meaning they are at even greater risk of harming themselves accidentally.
Body Dysmorphic Disorder: “In the field of plastic surgery this “bone smashing “trend reminds me of an extreme spectrum of body dysmorphic syndrome,” says Dr. Yamini.
Body dysmorphic disorder is a mental health condition in which you can’t stop thinking about one or more perceived defects or flaws in your appearance — a flaw that appears minor or can’t be seen by others. But you may feel so embarrassed, ashamed, and anxious that you may avoid many social situations. When you have body dysmorphic disorder, you intensely focus on your appearance and body image, repeatedly checking the mirror, grooming or seeking reassurance, sometimes for many hours each day. Your perceived flaws and the repetitive behaviors cause you significant distress and impact your ability to function in your daily life. [https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/body-dysmorphic-disorder/symptoms-causes/syc-20353938] Dr. Yamini has also seen patients who “cut” their arms or trichotillomania, the act of pulling hair or nails, as manifestations of deeper psychological issues.
Alternatives to “Bone Smashing”
Young people who are concerned about their appearance should talk to a board-certified plastic surgeon like rhinoplasty surgeon sydney to see if their concerns are legitimate and if there are safe procedures that can reliably improve their appearance. For individuals who cannot afford plastic surgery or who are not good candidates, there are safe and effective minimally invasive office treatments with injectables that can help improve valid cosmetic concerns.
