The Controversial Trend of Bonesmashing
As teenagers, many find themselves on the receiving end of parental restrictions—be it losing their video games, sleepovers, or even access to the family car. For Braden Peters, better known as Clavicular, it was a bit different; his mother took away his hammer. Yes, that’s right. She wanted him to stop bonesmashing, a practice where he would tap his face with a hammer in an attempt to alter his facial shape.
Now, at 20, Clavicular is not only still engaged in bonesmashing but has also become a prominent figure in the looksmaxxing community, which is gaining traction as a topic of discussion even outside niche forums.
Bonesmashing is a method that originated in a subculture of looksmaxxing, primarily male-dominated, that focuses on intense aesthetic enhancement. This ideology began emerging in the early 2010s on forums known for their controversial views. Looksmaxxing promotes the idea that appearance directly impacts dating, earnings, and virtually every aspect of life. Fast forward to the 2020s, and TikTok has seen this community thrive, thanks in large part to influencers like Clavicular showcasing extreme beauty techniques.
Looksmaxxing strategies can typically be divided into two groups: softmaxxing, which includes safer options like skincare and exercise, and hardmaxxing, encompassing more extreme measures such as surgeries or steroid injections. Bonesmashing falls into the latter category, as it’s meant to fundamentally change facial structure.
The practice involves using a hammer—or even a massage gun—to repeatedly tap areas like the chin or cheekbones. The theory behind it is that the minor damage inflicted will reshape the face as it heals, potentially leading to a stronger jawline or a more defined chin. Advocates point to Wolff’s law—established by 19th-century surgeon Julius Wolff—that healthy bones adapt positively to stress. This concept underpins why some contact sports enthusiasts undergo similar practices, although there’s little scientific backing for these claims. Dr. Joshua Rosenberg, a facial plastic surgeon, acknowledges that while the basic idea has some scientific validity, the application in bonesmashing is misinformed and often dangerous.
You might be thinking, “Surely no one actually does this.” While it’s difficult to pinpoint how many individuals truly hit their faces with hammers, it’s evident that it’s not an isolated phenomenon. There are tutorials on YouTube, Instagram accounts documenting progress, and various forum discussions where users claim the practice has significantly improved their appearance—transforming them from “ugly” to “handsome” according to their in-community rating system.
The trend has garnered enough attention that medical professionals have raised alarms, with at least two letters submitted to the Journal of Stomatology, Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery warning against bonesmashing. Dr. Ricardo Grillo from Brazil expressed concern over the potential for severe facial injuries resulting from this practice, stressing that the consequences can be quite serious—ranging from cosmetic disfigurement to functional impairment.
Dr. Grillo bluntly states, “It’s a stupid idea.” He lists numerous risks, including the potential for scar tissue to form in facial muscles and possible vascular or neurological damage. He also warns of facial asymmetries due to uncontrolled trauma.
Dr. Rosenberg concurs, critiquing the notion that one can safely induce microfractures in bones, particularly in the facial area. He points out that forceful strikes could easily lead to fractures that would result in more harm than enhancement.
So, while the allure of changing one’s appearance might seem enticing to some, the methods—and their consequences—raise significant concerns that shouldn’t be overlooked.
