For many of us, TikTok (or, we should say, BeautyTok) helps us stay up-to-date on beauty trends and find new ideas to experiment with. Whether we’re looking for nail design ideas, makeup inspiration or hair styling pointers, the short video-sharing app seems to have it all.
One of the most memorable 2022 trends on the app and social media in general centered around ‘jaw bras.’ As seen in many videos, these elastic compression head wraps or face masks are usually worn on the underside of the chin and jaw, and hook over the ears. For anyone who might not want to undergo Botox or other types of facial plastic surgeries, many of these jaw bras claim to get rid of double chins and help sculpt one’s jaw by tightening the skin around it.
We reached out to dermatologists and other skincare experts to learn more about trendy jaw bras, and whether or not they really work. Read on for tips, suggestions and insight from Dr. Dusan Sajic, MD, PhD, board-certified dermatologist and adjunct professor of clinical medicine at McMaster University and Courtney Brown, PA-C, aesthetician and certified physician assistant at Rothaus Plastic Surgery.
@uglyducklingskincare Replying to @Michal Kortsarts I bought a #jawbra and it surprisingly works better than I thought it would. It gives a VERY temporary lifting effect to the chin area and helps define the jaw a little, it makes my skin feel tingly/tight for at least 2+ hours after using it. You can probably get similar results from facial massage or even better, a ems device! Would you try this? #skintigtening #doublechin ♬ BIZCOCHITO – ROSALÍA
What is a Jaw Bra?
A jaw bra, Sajic explains, is a type of facial mask that is “designed to lift and tighten the skin on the jawline and neck area.” Some people, he notes, believe that wearing a jaw bra can “help to improve the appearance of sagging skin, fine lines, and wrinkles,” as seen in before and after social media videos. However, he stresses that these results are “temporary” for most users, and it’s important to keep in mind that jaw bras are “not a substitute for medical treatments like facelifts or Botox.”
There are a few different types of jaw bras on the market. “Some are made of stretchy fabric and are worn like a headband, while others are made of silicone and are applied directly to the skin,” Sajic says. Some people even use “facial rollers or jade rollers to massage the jawline and neck area” with a jaw bra on in an effort to improve the appearance of the skin.
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Why Do People Use Jaw Bras?
Apart from aforementioned aesthetic goals, Sajic says that jaw bras may be used “after certain medical procedures, such as facelifts or liposuction, to help support and protect the skin while it heals.” After a facelift, for example, Sajic notes that a jaw bra may be worn to help hold the skin in place and reduce swelling. Similarly, after liposuction, a jaw bra may be worn to help compress and shape the skin in the treated area.
@shopmissa Get a smooth and sculpted look with our new #AOASkin chin lifting mask! Keep it on while you do your eyeshadow or hair and peel off to reveal a snatched jaw line #shopmissa #shopmissahaul #chinmask #doublechinremoval #skincare #chinliftingmask ♬ YRN Remix – Bruno Mars
Do Jaw Bras Really Work?
It’s worth noting, Sajic emphasizes, that there is “little scientific evidence” to support the effectiveness of jaw bras. “While some people may see temporary improvements in the appearance of their skin after using a jaw bra, these effects are likely to be short-term and will not last,” he continues.
Brown agrees, and says that in the short term, jaw bras “appear to lift the skin and sculpt the jaw by promoting lymphatic drainage in the area.” This, she adds, “removes excess fluid to achieve a firmer, more contoured jawline and neck.” However, this is not a permanent fix, as the lymph “will start to accumulate again in this area over a few hours,” Brown warns. “This leads to an immediate result without any long-term effects, and you may notice the original shape to your jawline returning later that evening,” she notes.
@ash_kholm Chin & Jawline lift in 20 minutes @buxomcosmetics Staycation vibes primer infused bronzer in shade Rooftop Tan #snatched #jawlinecheck #chinlift #fyp ♬ original sound – Ash K HOLM
How Did The Jaw Bra Trend Start?
While Sajic says that it’s not clear where the idea for jaw bras originated, it’s possible that they were “inspired by similar facial support devices that are used after surgery.” It’s also possible, he points out, that they were “developed as a more affordable and less invasive alternative to medical treatments like facelifts.”
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The Bottom Line
Regardless of where the idea for jaw bras came from, Sajic tells us that it’s important to remember that these jaw bras won’t always serve as an effective replacement for medical treatments, and “should not be used as such.” If you are considering a medical procedure to improve the appearance of your skin, he suggests “speaking with a board-certified dermatologist or a plastic surgeon to discuss your options and determine the best course of action for your specific needs and concerns.”
“I recommend leaving these cosmetic treatments to the professionals who are licensed and trained to perform them in the correct way for optimal results,” Brown concurs. You’ll find you are spending more money on at-home “quick fixes,” she concludes, than the “high-quality, safe procedures that are made to have long-lasting results.”
