Why Does My Side Profile Look Bad? (And How to Change It)

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Learn to fix a bad side profile, from your chin to your nose and beyond
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Your “side profile” is how your face appears when looked at from the side. Lots of people say they have a bad side profile, but that’s just because they’re not used to seeing it as much as they see their face straight-on. We’ll explain more about why you might think your side profile looks bad, what a “good” side profile looks like, and effective ways to change your own side profile.

Changing Your Side Profile

Improve your side profile by practicing better posture, and sitting or standing straight with your shoulders back. Tilt your head up, and take photos from a higher angle. Also, practice proper mouth posture by holding your tongue to the roof of your mouth.

Section 1 of 4:

Why does my side profile look bad?

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  1. You’re probably most used to seeing your face straight on, like in a mirror or a selfie. It’s super common for people to be surprised when they see their face at other angles, and also to dislike it. Most of the time, it’s not because you actually look ugly, it’s just that the difference between your own perception and reality can be off-putting. [1]
    • The truth is, everyone else is already used to seeing your side profile, and the vast majority of people don’t think it looks weird or ugly. To them, it just looks like you!
  2. Worst case scenario, your side profile might just not be your best angle, and that’s alright! Everyone’s got at least one angle that they find unflattering, and it’s totally normal. Even then, the reality is probably that it’s not even a bad angle, it’s just an angle that’s unfamiliar to you.
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  3. Celebrities and beauty influencers often reinforce beauty standards that just don’t make sense. That’s their job, and influencers especially make money off of making you feel like your appearance is subpar. And when you’re scrolling social media and constantly seeing people who look a certain way, it’s easy to start believing that that’s the “best” way to look.
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Section 2 of 4:

Improving Your Side Profile

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  1. Holding your chin slightly higher makes it more pronounced. It also makes you appear more confident , and appearing confident is something most people find attractive. [2] Also, holding your chin low or inward can fold the skin of your neck, like you’re reacting negatively to something, which isn’t the best look.
  2. Proper posture affects every part of your appearance, from your height to your attitude and even to your profile. Standing straight accentuates your facial features, making them appear more natural and suited to you. Try to keep your head straight above your shoulders, and your shoulders straight above your hips, with your feet shoulder-width apart. [3]
    • Here’s a quick posture exercise: Stand with your back against the wall, pressing your head, shoulder blades, hips, and the back of your legs to the wall. Hold that pose for 2-3 minutes, and repeat it every morning.
  3. “Mouth posture” is how you hold your mouth when you’re not using it. Proper mouth posture can change the way your face looks, often for the better. To practice it, close your mouth and make sure your teeth are lightly touching and your tongue rests on the top, or roof, of your mouth. [4]
    • Holding your tongue to the roof of your mouth also lifts and tightens the skin and muscles under your chin, which is often seen as desirable.
  4. For many people, a higher angle is the most flattering for photos. Low angles tend to peek up your nose, and just look goofy in general. Aim to have the camera at the same height as your eyes, or even a little higher, if possible.
    • Don’t go too high! Otherwise, you might look just as silly as from a low angle.
  5. Just like any other part of your body, your face is affected by your weight. Maintaining a healthy weight for your body type can help balance the shape of your face. [5] Often, the best exercises for weight management are cardio exercises like running, biking, swimming, or anything that gets your heart rate up. Shedding weight can dramatically alter your side profile.
    • Generally, most people should be getting 30-60 minutes of moderate exercise per day, or 150 minutes per week. [6]
    • Also, opt for healthier snacks, like fruits and veggies, over sugary or fatty snacks. Most men need 2,500 kcal a day, while women generally need 2,000 kcal a day. [7]
    • Keep in mind that you can’t control where you lose fat when you exercise. Often, results are cumulative, and you lose a little weight from everywhere.
  6. You probably just think your side profile is unflattering because it’s unfamiliar, and doesn’t get as much love in the mirror as your other features. One easy way to fix that is to take a couple of photos of your side profile, look at them for a while, and pick out things you like. Positive self-talk can dramatically change your self-perception. [8]
    • For example, say, “I love how prominent my nose is. It looks regal and noble,” or, “My little chin is so cute!”
    • Also keep in mind that your side profile changes as you age, especially when you’re young. If you don’t like it know, you might like it much more in a few years.
  7. For some people, dysphoria—when your perception of your body doesn’t match reality—can be a serious problem, especially for mental health. If you feel as though your appearance negatively impacts your mood, consider seeing a therapist to talk about why and discuss strategies to change that. [9]
    • Or, you and your therapist or doctor might decide cosmetic surgery is appropriate in your situation. [10]
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Section 3 of 4:

What makes a good side profile?

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  1. Again, it’s all a matter of beauty standards, which actually don’t reflect how the vast majority of everyday people look. All the same, you’ll probably hear celebs and influencers say that a pronounced chin makes a good side profile, and other features, like noses and brows, should be “toned down.”
    • With that logic, a “bad” side profile supposedly includes a weak chin, large or irregular nose, strong brow, undefined cheekbones, or an unbalanced silhouette.
    • Again, there’s no such thing as a “good” or “bad” side profile, so don't listen to anyone who tries to tell you otherwise.
Section 4 of 4:

Does mewing change your side profile?

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  1. Mewing is a recent internet trend where people repeatedly make a “mewing” face to try and tone their facial muscles, achieving a more attractive appearance. Unfortunately, there’s little evidence it actually does anything, and many experts have debunked it as an effective method. [11]
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Join the Discussion...

How do you get a strong, sharp jawline?
WikiLionSeeker401
WikiLionSeeker401
Hello, everyone. So, I’ve always been a little insecure about my jawline. It sort of blends into my neck and I just don’t think I look very good a lot of the time if I fixate on it. I do fine with dating and stuff, and I think I’m otherwise a pretty attractive person, but my jaw has been bugging me a lot recently. I’d love to have a more chiseled, clean look, but I don’t really know how I could do that. Are there workouts or exercises I can use to improve the shape of my face and strengthen the look of my jawline? What would you do?
Ellen Turner
Double Board-Certified Dermatologist
For at-home interventions, I have a few different recommendations of both things you can try and things not to do.

Things you can do:

First of all, losing a bit of weight (in a healthy way, of course) can really make a difference. Even just 5-10 pounds can change the way your face and jawline look.
Lymphatic massage can also help some people, especially if they have specific underlying issues. But for most people, the concern with their jawline is more about fat, muscle, or even bone structure.
Try to breathe through your nose more frequently. Prolonged mouth breathing can actually affect the way your face develops, leading to distinctive features like a long, narrow face and a receding chin or jawline. 

What not to do:

A common misconception is that chewing gum will sharpen the jawline, but doing that will actually increase the masseter muscles on the sides of the jaw.
Don’t suck through a straw. That can make things worse.
Finally, definitely don’t smoke or vape.


Ultimately, if someone wants to change their jawline my favorite results come from a combination of treatments, using both devices and injectables together. This can achieve surgical-like outcomes without the downtime. I recommend using a non-invasive device called EMFACE, which does a specific kind of effective micro-massage.
Nidhi Pai, DDS
Cosmetic Dentist and Founder of ZERObrush
Most of the time, this happens when the lower jaw, the mandible, is recessed backwards. When it's recessed backwards, that’s when someone's neck and chin feel very symmetrical. They don't have that definition.

Sometimes you can fix it by straightening your teeth. Orthognathic surgery is another thing that may be excessive, where you surgically put the lower jaw forward. But a lot of different things can contribute to the look of your jawline. We are looking at the jawline from outside, but a lot of support comes from the teeth inside. Once the inside tooth structure is fixed, their bite is fixed, and a lot of definition can come from there. So, that would be my one suggestion.

No exercises or rollers. I know these are trending so much on social media. They’re great for circulation, but they're not going to give you that chiseled look. And if you go for a surgery without fixing your teeth, then that's when it looks very fake. Because you haven't fixed the problem, you're just camouflaging the problem. So things have to be fixed from the inside out.
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      References

      1. ↑ https://www.helpguide.org/mental-health/anxiety/body-dysmorphic-disorder-bdd
      2. ↑ https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/maybe-its-just-me/201310/does-everyone-find-confidence-attractive
      3. ↑ https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/articles/posture
      4. ↑ https://kidtherapy.org/helpful-articles/signs-of-improper-oral-resting-posture/
      5. ↑ https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/symptoms/moon-face
      6. ↑ https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/fitness/expert-answers/exercise/faq-20057916
      7. ↑ https://www.nhs.uk/live-well/healthy-weight/managing-your-weight/understanding-calories/
      8. ↑ https://www.mind.org.uk/information-support/types-of-mental-health-problems/self-esteem/tips-to-improve-your-self-esteem/
      9. ↑ https://www.mind.org.uk/information-support/types-of-mental-health-problems/self-esteem/tips-to-improve-your-self-esteem/
      1. ↑ https://www.health.harvard.edu/healthbeat/is-cosmetic-surgery-right-for-you
      2. ↑ https://www.health.harvard.edu/staying-healthy/does-your-face-need-a-workout

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