TikTok Wants You to Wear a Chinstrap to Bed. Should You?
Sleep is essential for good health. Unfortunately, many people struggle with it. 40% of adults report fall asleep when they don’t intend to at least once a month. Between 50 and 70 million American adults also have chronic sleep disorders.
If you’re having trouble sleeping, you’ll probably do anything to find relief. That might mean using TikTok and the various sleep trends like Kourtney Kardashian’s melatonin gummies , making the Sleepy Girl mocktail , and even mouth taping (which sounds more like a Lifetime movie).
Another trend currently going around on TikTok is chin straps. Yes, people wear chin straps at night. Our guide dives into what chin straps are, whether they’re an effective way to get quality sleep, and what medical experts think of this latest TikTok health trend.
What are chin straps?
Chin straps are fabric or silicone straps that wrap around your chin and extend to your ears or head. The TikTok chin strap craze claims that wearing them can firm up your jawline, creating a facelift-like effect while you sleep. As such, it seems like a promising solution for people who want to tighten up their facial appearance but don’t want to spend money on surgery.
In addition, influencers claim that it can alleviate sleep problems, one of which is mouth breathing. It occurs when your nose is blocked, making it difficult for air to get in. Not only can this cause heavy snoring, but it can also lead to other sleep disorders such as sleep apnea.
When you breathe in air through your mouth, it is drier and more polluted. Your nose contains micro hairs called cilia. Cilia filter allergens and dirt from your airflow. Also, breathing in through your nose gives your body time to moisten the air. It does this with nasal turbinates.
In theory, it is optimal to have something to stop mouth breathing, as it can prevent chronic problems such as sleep apnea or wrong bite. Malocclusion is a dental condition where your teeth are not aligned in your mouth. If left untreated, it can lead to TMJ or a locked jaw in the future.
However, chin straps alone have not proven effective in the treatment of obstructive sleep apnea.
Do chin straps actually work?
No, chin straps do not work. Doctors and plastic surgeons have refuted claims made on TikTok about wearing chin straps and how they can reduce mouth breathing or create a slimmer jawline. If you find yourself waking up from snoring or feeling tired during the day, you should contact your doctor to determine the underlying causes.
Read more: I Always Woke Up Tired. I Used Technology and Science to Sleep Better
What TikTok Says About Chin Straps
There is a trend going on TikTok called the “daily barn.” People show their viewers things they sleep with by removing them on video. These can include chin straps, mouth tape, under-eye masks, and hairnets.
Wearing chin straps is gaining popularity thanks to beauty and sleep claims from influencers, who claim that wearing a chin strap to bed has a slimming effect on your jawline. One TikTok creator called it a cheap facelift. So for people with a double chin, it promises a way to tighten your face without the cost of surgery.
Additionally, influencers claim they can improve sleep quality. For one, the band places your chin in an upright position, making it harder to snore or breathe through your mouth because your chin can’t drop toward your chest. However, if you have underlying medical issues, like a deviated septum or enlarged tonsils, you’ll want to treat the condition, not the position.
While influencers claim it gives them a firmer jaw and improves the quality of their sleep, it’s vital to consult your doctor before jumping on the social media bandwagon. Not only can they help you determine if the influencer’s claims are true, they also know your medical history and can treat your conditions more accurately.
In short
TikTok trends have positive and negative implications for personal health. While some trends, like slugging, have benefits when done right, others, like wearing chin straps to bed, offer no improving sleepand it doesn’t make your jawline any thinner. If you have trouble sleeping, it’s best to consult your doctor, who can determine the cause and the most effective treatment options based on your medical conditions.
