Braden Peters’ mother took away his hammer when she discovered his unusual self-improvement regimen: repeatedly striking his face in an attempt to reshape his bone structure. Now 20, Peters, known online as Clavicular, continues the practice, bringing the controversial technique of “bonesmashing” into the spotlight as the aesthetics-focused subculture of “looksmaxxing” gains mainstream attention.
Looksmaxxing, a term originating in online spaces with a history of misogyny, centers on the belief that physical appearance dictates success in all aspects of life. Emerging in the early 2010s on forums like PUAHate, SlutHate and Lookism, the ideology has surged in popularity in recent years, particularly on TikTok, fueled by influencers like Clavicular who showcase extreme procedures to a growing audience.
Practices within looksmaxxing generally fall into two categories: “softmaxxing,” encompassing conventional self-care like skincare and exercise, and “hardmaxxing,” involving more invasive interventions such as surgery and hormone injections. Bonesmashing, proponents claim, falls firmly into the latter, aiming to alter facial structure through repeated impact.
The technique involves repeatedly tapping areas like the chin, cheekbones, and jaw with a hammer – or, alternatively, a massage gun. The purported goal is to induce minor bone damage that, as the bone heals, will reshape the face, creating a stronger jawline or more defined features. Looksmaxxers often justify the practice by referencing Wolff’s law, a 19th-century observation that bone adapts and strengthens in response to stress, though medical professionals caution against misinterpreting the principle.
“The very basic premise, that repetitive mechanical load can influence bone density or remodeling, is not completely divorced from science,” says Dr. Joshua Rosenberg, a facial plastic surgeon and Associate Professor of Otolaryngology at Mount Sinai. “It’s just wildly misunderstood and misapplied here.”
While the extent of bonesmashing’s prevalence is challenging to quantify, evidence of the practice exists online. Tutorials are available on YouTube, Instagram users document their progress, and forum members share claims of significant aesthetic improvements, using a rating system known as the PSL scale to measure perceived attractiveness. One user claimed bonesmashing improved their eye area “from SUB 5 to HTN,” signifying a jump from unattractive to “handsome.”
The practice has garnered enough attention to prompt concern within the medical community. At least two letters have been sent to the Journal of Stomatology, Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery warning about the spread of bonesmashing on social media. Dr. Ricardo Grillo of Brazil cautioned that the risks include “a range of severe maxillofacial injuries” potentially leading to “cosmetic disfigurement, functional impairment and other potential long-term consequences.”
“Of course, it’s a stupid idea,” Dr. Grillo stated. He outlined numerous risks, including scar tissue formation, vascular and neurological damage, and the potential for facial asymmetry due to uncontrolled trauma. Dr. Rosenberg echoed these concerns, emphasizing the lack of control inherent in the practice. “Hitting your cheeks hard enough could cause a zygomaticomaxillary complex fracture…that results in depression and asymmetry of the cheek, not enhancement.”
Clavicular, born Braden Peters on December 17, 2005, in Hoboken, New Jersey, attended Seton Hall Preparatory School. He has stated that his interest in looksmaxxing stemmed from a desire to gain influence, beginning testosterone injections at age 14 and actively participating in the Looksmax.org forum. His recent controversies include livestreaming an incident involving his Tesla Cybertruck and appearing alongside far-right figures like Andrew Tate and Nick Fuentes, though he has since described himself as apolitical.
