Do those jawline slings actually work? We asked an expert.

I urgently need to talk about jawline slings. They're absolutely everywhere and they look very silly and highly unnecessary, but... do they actually work? Like all the influencers say they do?

Watch any 'morning shed' routine on TikTok and you'll see people waking up in the morning and taking off their heatless curlers, lip masks, Invisalign trays, face tape and — yes — jawline slings. It looks 11/10 insane, and 1000 per cent terrifying, but... here we are.

Watch: Speaking of viral beauty, check out our explainer on McBeauty's release into the US and why everyone is going nuts over it. Post continues below. 

If you're not across what we're talking about, please search 'jawline slimmer strap' and you'll come across thousands of videos of people using all different kinds of face bands and chin straps to 'define' and 'sculpt' their jawline. 

Some are a stretchy sling that sits around the jawline and ears, whereas others look like a full face compression strap — the kind of stuff people usually wear over burns and major invasive surgery. Except, in 2024 people are just trying to get sharper jawlines with them...

What a time to be alive.

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So, do these trendy chin straps and jawline slimming slings actually work? Or is it total BS and just another sign of overconsumption at its finest?

We hit up some experts to find out.

Do chin straps work?

We asked dermatologist Professor Deshan Sebaratnam of UNSW, who told us, "I'm unaware of any high-quality evidence that supports jaw straps."

A good start. So, does that just mean they're a total waste of time?

Dr Desham added, "If patients have bruxism (clenching) and this is contributing to masseter hypertrophy (big cheek muscles), the jaw straps could potentially help minimise this, but I think for most people they wouldn't offer much help. There's insufficient evidence to support this."

Similarly, when I asked celebrity facialist Ingrid Seaburn for her thoughts on You Beauty podcast, she shared: "It's the most ridiculous, thing. Who would even buy that?"

*Laughs nervously*

"What is the logic behind putting a sling on your jaw and thinking it's gonna do something? It's like putting face tape on your jaw. That's a total myth."

Want to listen to the full episode with Ingrid? Check it out below.

What's the best way to sculpt your jawline?

In terms of what actually works, Dr Deshan said there are many other proven approaches that can help with having a more defined jawline, noting that different people will benefit from different interventions. 

The first is making sure you maintain a healthy diet and lifestyle, which in turn will "help your bone structure become more defined."

In terms of non-surgical cosmetic options, injectables might also offer an effective solution, depending on the individual. "Muscle relaxants to the cheeks or neck may help with changing the contours of the lower face. Fillers to the cheekbones or along the jawline can also help bolster structural support and accentuate your features."

"Fat dissolving injections under the chin or other energy based skin tightening (here's a video of me getting this done!) may also help with obtaining a more defined jawline."

If you've noticed a significant difference in the appearance of your jawline/chin area, Dr Deshan said, "Rarely, medical problems such as those affecting your thyroid or lymph nodes can cause changes to the area under your chin."

In which case, you should speak to your GP, a dermatologist or plastic surgeon if you have any concerns.

So, there you have it.

Have you tried chin straps before? Share your thoughts on the trend in the comment section below.

Feature image: TikTok/@babyeld777, @kaylaleemills, @yourfavfakeblonde.com.