- The looksmaxxing trend, a online-fueled movement urging men to aggressively “optimize” their appearance, is on the rise.
- It falls under similar appearance-based movements, such as softmaxxing and hardmaxxing.
- While often presented as self-improvement, experts caution these practices can fuel body image issues, anxiety, eating disorders, and even risky behaviors.
- Teenage boys may be particularly at risk due to a number of factors, including digital narratives about manhood and worth.
A growing phenomenon on social media is encouraging young men to “enhance” their appearance.
Referred to as looksmaxxing, the movement is obsessed with pursuing the “ideal” face and body. It follows similar online trends, called its two main subtypes, which promote everything from rigorous grooming routines to surgical interventions and extreme body modification.
While advocates argue these practices can be confidence-building, therapists warn they can intensify body dysmorphia, anxiety, and other harmful patterns.
One mental health professional described looksmaxxing as a “online-created body image disorder craze.”
“Teenagers fall into this false sense of approval, and what they believe others want from them,” he noted. “They can get caught up in potentially long-term struggles with feeling not being good enough and coping with that shortcoming.”
He went on to explain that “People will focus their energies on improving their physique based on emotions of inferiority or inadequacy.”
“Men can get caught in a cycle of trying to ‘fix’ their appearance, but as mental health clinicians, we know that if you’re feeling inadequate or less than, those are the core problems to address with a qualified therapist.”
Exploring the Distinctions Among the Three Main Movements?
Although the language differs, the phenomena all have one thing in commonality: the desire to compulsively alter one’s looks.
“Looksmaxxing is fundamentally personal development put on overdrive. It’s recasting the male physique as something to be built,” the counselor clarified.
While softmaxxing entails more gradual adjustments to one’s looks, often accomplished through grooming and lifestyle adjustments, hardmaxxing is more radical.
“It involves drastic methods to change your looks, including rhinoplasty, Botox, surgical hair restoration, and genioplasty. The obvious issue with this is that once you unlock that door, it’s difficult to close the lid,” he pointed out.
Another eating disorder specialist explained the differences.
“It’s natural to have wanting to look good, and taking pride in your appearance can boost confidence and be positive. But the big distinction is that looksmaxxing is based on self-loathing and trying to conform, at the expense of your health and safety,” she pointed out.
“The extreme version, meanwhile, appears to be venturing into self-harm practices, particularly some of its associated behaviors, like intentionally injuring facial bones with a blunt object.”
The Reasons Looksmaxxing Is Especially Prevalent With Young Men
What makes this movement appear to be connecting with young men in particular?
One therapist said that teenagers, particularly adolescents, are typically at a phase of their lives when they are still discovering who they are, and many may be seeking ways to portray what they view as “the ‘correct’ version of masculinity.”
He also believes trends like this one may be related to incel culture and the manosphere.
“It gained traction several years ago, with male gurus espousing specific views of masculinity. These types of ‘alpha’ influencers have led some men down a harmful path,” he commented.
Another specialist shared a additional viewpoint about potential contributing factors.
“Mental health issues and loneliness are also widespread currently, making young men especially susceptible,” she added.
The Boundary Separating Healthy Self-Care and Unhealthy Obsessions
Recognizing the boundary between taking pride in your looks and an damaging fixation with how you look can be challenging for many individuals.
“Routines aimed at betterment become harmful when fear is the main driver; when your rituals are taking up so much mental space that you can’t be present in your daily existence and relationships,” one therapist said.
There are several risks linked to these kinds of detrimental behaviors.
“Eating disorders and self-harm behaviours are often connected to poor body image, worry, and poor self-worth,” she said.
“Men are at danger of experiencing shame around their physiques due to cultural pressures that they should be fit and fit. And for some men, it can feel like a threat to their sense of manhood and self-esteem.”
The other expert said that, for some individuals who try to make purely external changes to their body, it can lead to damaging, compulsive psychological needs.
“It can escalate quickly, and you may believe you must do something to improve your mood rather than being content in your own body.”
In the end, he stated, positive personal growth typically doesn’t look like the type of improvement material that’s trending on apps like TikTok and Instagram.
“It’s about taking care of yourself from the inside,” he emphasized.
Tips for Practising Self-Acceptance
Practising more body acceptance is not a process that happens quickly, but there are positive actions you can implement to start that process.
Firstly, having mixed feelings about your appearance is normal and natural.
One specialist recommended “exploring” that and discovering an creative expression for it.
“Artistic expression is a great way to let those feelings out in a way that might even be enjoyable. Consider sketching, collaging, or making a journal to record your experiences,” she suggested.
Although social media use can fuel negative habits and emotions, there are ways to reduce these dangers.
“Subscribe to accounts that advocate for body positivity and healthy masculinity. Or follow people who don’t fit into the limited definition of masculinity perpetuated by the mainstream,” she
