Does Bonesmashing Actually Work Reddit? Guide

Bonesmashing is a viral trend on Reddit and TikTok where people hit their own facial bones with tools or fists to try to make them grow bigger or more defined. There is no evidence that it works, and plenty of evidence that it can cause real harm. The idea comes from a misunderstanding of how bone growth works, and it has spread mostly through online forums where people share dramatic before-and-after photos that are often fake or misleading. If you are considering bonesmashing, the honest answer is that it is not a valid method for changing your face shape, and it carries risks that far outweigh any possible benefit.

What Exactly Is Bonesmashing and Where Did It Come From?

Bonesmashing started in online communities focused on “looksmaxxing” — a term for trying to improve physical appearance through various methods. On subreddits like r/orthotropics and r/PlasticSurgery, users began discussing whether hitting bones could stimulate growth similar to how muscles grow from resistance training. The theory is based on Wolff’s Law, which states that bones adapt to the forces placed on them. But there is a big difference between a bone adapting to normal pressure over time and smashing it with a hard object.

The practice involves using a tool like a hammer, a metal spoon, or even a fist to repeatedly strike specific facial bones like the cheekbones, jawline, or brow ridge. Proponents claim this causes micro-fractures that heal thicker and stronger, leading to a more masculine or defined appearance. Some Reddit users even post detailed “routines” with specific angles and force levels. But none of this is backed by any medical research. As of 2026, no peer-reviewed study has shown that deliberately fracturing facial bones leads to desirable cosmetic changes.

What is more common is that people confuse correlation with causation. A user might hit their cheekbones for weeks, then notice a change in photos. But faces naturally change with weight loss, aging, and posture. The perceived result is almost certainly from something else — not from bonesmashing.

Does Bonesmashing Actually Work Reddit? What the Evidence Shows

The short answer is no. Research on bone healing shows that when a bone fractures, it heals with scar tissue called callus. This callus is not the same as healthy bone tissue. It can be weaker and more prone to re-fracture. The idea that you can control where and how this callus forms to improve your appearance is not supported by any medical science. The American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons has no literature on bonesmashing because it is not a recognized treatment.

Some Reddit users claim that bonesmashing works because they see results in their own photos. But these claims fall apart under scrutiny. Many of these photos are taken at different angles, under different lighting, or with different facial expressions. Some are outright fakes. One Reddit user in a 2023 thread admitted to editing his “after” photos to make his jawline look sharper. He later deleted his account. The pattern is common enough that moderators on some subreddits now flag bonesmashing posts as potentially dangerous misinformation.

A 2022 study in the Journal of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery found that repeated facial trauma from any source increases the risk of bone deformities, nerve damage, and chronic pain. The study did not look at bonesmashing specifically, but the mechanism is the same. Deliberately hitting your face with a hard object is trauma. Your body does not respond to trauma by making your face more attractive. It responds by trying to protect itself, which often means swelling, bruising, and long-term damage.

What Are the Real Risks of Bonesmashing?

The risks are not theoretical. People have reported fractures that required surgery, nerve damage that caused numbness or tingling, and infections from open wounds. The facial bones are thin and close to important structures like your eyes, sinuses, and nerves. A misplaced strike can cause a broken nose, a fractured orbital bone around the eye, or damage to the temporomandibular joint (TMJ) that controls your jaw movement.

Here is a comparison of bonesmashing risks versus standard cosmetic procedures:

The table shows that even proven medical procedures carry risks. Bonesmashing has no evidence of benefit but carries the same or higher risks as surgery. That is not a good trade-off. The CDC reports that facial fractures account for about 10% of all emergency room visits for trauma. Many of these are from accidents or violence. Doing it to yourself on purpose is not a safe alternative.

Why Do People Believe Bonesmashing Works?

There are a few psychological and social reasons why this idea spreads. First, confirmation bias plays a big role. Someone who wants to believe that bonesmashing works will notice any small change in their face and attribute it to the practice. They ignore the fact that their face changes naturally every day due to hydration, sleep, and inflammation. Second, online communities create echo chambers. When everyone in a forum says bonesmashing works, it becomes harder to question. People who speak out against it are often downvoted or banned.

Another factor is the placebo effect. If you believe that hitting your face will make your jaw stronger, you might hold your jaw differently or feel more confident. That confidence can change how others perceive you. But the bone itself has not changed. The placebo effect is real and powerful, but it does not change bone structure. A 2019 review in the journal Pain found that placebo effects can influence perceived outcomes in up to 30% of people. But they do not change physical anatomy.

Some users also confuse bonesmashing with mewing — the practice of resting your tongue on the roof of your mouth to change jaw shape. Mewing has some weak evidence for improving facial posture, but it is not the same as hitting your face. Mewing does not involve force or trauma. Bonesmashing is an entirely different and more dangerous idea that has been incorrectly lumped together with other cosmetic trends.

What Actually Works for Changing Facial Bone Structure?

If you want to change the shape of your face, there are only a few options that have real evidence behind them. The first is weight loss. Losing body fat reduces the fat pads in your face, which can make your cheekbones and jawline more visible. This is the most common reason people see changes in their face over time. The second is surgery. Orthognathic surgery moves the jaw bones into a new position. It is a major procedure, but it is the only proven way to permanently change facial bone structure. The third is dermal fillers or implants, which add volume under the skin to create the appearance of a stronger jaw or higher cheekbones.

There are also non-surgical options like facial exercises, but the evidence is mixed. A 2018 study in JAMA Dermatology found that facial exercises performed for 20 weeks improved cheek fullness in some women. But the changes were small and not permanent. No study has shown that exercises change bone shape. They may strengthen muscles, but muscles sit on top of bones. Stronger muscles do not make bones bigger.

Here are some approaches that have evidence behind them:

• Weight management: Reducing body fat can make facial bones more visible. This is the most reliable non-surgical method.
• Dermal fillers: Injectable fillers can add volume to the jawline, chin, and cheeks. Results last 6-18 months. FDA-approved products include Juvederm and Restylane.
• Bone grafting: For people with actual bone deficiencies, surgical bone grafting can add thickness. This is used in reconstructive surgery, not for cosmetic enhancement alone.
• Orthognathic surgery: This moves the upper and/or lower jaw to correct bite issues and change facial shape. It requires a surgeon and months of recovery.

None of these involve hitting yourself. If a method sounds too simple, too cheap, or too good to be true, it probably is. Bonesmashing fits that description perfectly.

Common Misconceptions About Bonesmashing

One of the most common misconceptions is that bonesmashing is just like weightlifting for your face. This is wrong. Bones do not grow in response to impact the way muscles grow in response to resistance. Bone growth is controlled by hormones, genetics, and nutrition — not by hitting them. Wolff’s Law is often cited by proponents, but it applies to sustained, low-level pressure over time, not acute trauma. Walking puts pressure on leg bones and they adapt. Hitting your face with a hammer is not the same as walking.

Another misconception is that bonesmashing is safe because “people do it in other cultures.” Some traditional practices involve facial modification, like lip plates or skull binding. But these are done over years with gradual, controlled pressure — not sudden impacts. They also carry their own risks and are not comparable to a DIY trend started on Reddit. There is no cultural tradition of hitting your face with a metal spoon to make your cheekbones higher.

A third misconception is that bonesmashing can fix asymmetry. Asymmetry in the face is usually due to skeletal differences, muscle imbalances, or soft tissue differences. Hitting the smaller side of your face does not make it grow to match the larger side. It is more likely to cause swelling that temporarily makes the asymmetry look worse. If asymmetry bothers you, a consultation with a maxillofacial surgeon or a plastic surgeon is the appropriate next step — not a hammer.