- The looksmaxxing trend, a social media-driven trend urging men to intensely “optimize” their looks, is becoming widespread.
- It falls under comparable looks-focused trends, such as softmaxxing and hardmaxxing.
- Although frequently framed as empowerment, experts warn these trends can trigger body image issues, anxiety, eating disorders, and even risky behaviors.
- Young men may be especially at risk due to several reasons, such as online messaging about masculinity and self-worth.
A increasing trend on platforms like TikTok and Instagram is prompting teenagers to “optimize” their physical looks.
Known as the looksmaxxing craze, the trend centers on pursuing the “perfect” physique and facial features. It follows comparable social media trends, called its two main subtypes, which encourage everything from intensive grooming routines to cosmetic procedures and extreme physical alterations.
Although proponents argue these behaviors can be confidence-building, mental health experts caution they can provoke body dysmorphia, anxiety, and other damaging patterns.
One mental health professional labeled this trend as a “online-created body image disorder trend.”
“Adolescents fall into this false sense of acceptance, and what they believe others desire from them,” he explained. “They can get caught up in potentially long-term battles with feeling not being good enough and handling that shortcoming.”
He went on to explain that “Individuals will devote their time on improving their body based on feelings of low self-worth or inadequacy.”
“Men can get stuck in a cycle of trying to ‘fix’ their looks, but as mental health clinicians, we know that if you’re feeling inadequate or inferior, those are the issues to address with a qualified therapist.”
Exploring the Differences Between the Looksmaxxing, Softmaxxing, and Hardmaxxing Trends?
While the language varies, the phenomena all have one thing in commonality: the drive to compulsively alter one’s appearance.
“Looksmaxxing is fundamentally self-improvement put on overdrive. It’s reframing the male physique as something to be engineered,” the counselor explained.
Whereas softmaxxing involves more gradual changes to one’s appearance, often achieved through grooming and lifestyle adjustments, hardmaxxing is more radical.
“It includes serious procedures to change your looks, including nose jobs, Botox, surgical hair restoration, and chin surgery. The obvious problem with this is that once you open that Pandora’s Box, 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 looks can boost self-esteem and be gender affirming. But the major distinction is that looksmaxxing is based on self-hate and trying to conform, at the cost of your well-being and security,” she pointed out.
“The extreme version, on the other hand, seems to be venturing into dangerous territory, especially some of its associated trends, like intentionally injuring facial bones with a hammer.”
The Reasons Looksmaxxing Is Particularly Prevalent With Teenagers
Why does this movement seem to be resonating with young men in such high numbers?
One expert explained that young men, especially teens, are often at a phase of their lives when they are still discovering who they are, and many may be searching for ways to project what they perceive as “the ‘correct’ version of manhood.”
He also suggests movements like this one may be related to incel culture and the manosphere.
“It started several years ago, with online influencers promoting specific views of manhood. These kinds of ‘alpha’ influencers have led some men astray,” he commented.
Another therapist offered a additional perspective about possible underlying causes.
“Mental health issues and loneliness are also prevalent right now, making this demographic particularly vulnerable,” she added.
The Line Separating Positive Self-Improvement and Unhealthy Behaviors
Identifying the line separating caring for your looks and an unhealthy obsession with how you look can be difficult for many people.
“Routines aimed at betterment become problematic when anxiety is the main driver; when your rituals are consuming so much mental space that you can’t be present in your life and connections,” one specialist explained.
There are several dangers linked to these types of detrimental patterns.
“Eating disorders and self-harm behaviours are often connected to body dysmorphia, anxiety, and poor self-worth,” she continued.
“Males are at danger of experiencing embarrassment around their bodies due to societal messaging that they should be muscular and fit. And for some men, it can seem like a threat to their masculinity and self-esteem.”
The other expert noted that, for some people who attempt to make solely external modifications to their body, it can open the door to harmful, obsessive psychological needs.
“It can spin out of control, and you may believe you need do something to help yourself feel better rather than being content in your own body.”
In the end, he said, healthy personal growth usually doesn’t look like the kind of self-care content that’s popular on social media platforms.
“It’s about nurturing yourself from the inside out,” he emphasized.
Strategies for Cultivating Self-Acceptance
Developing greater self-acceptance isn’t something that occurs quickly, but there are positive steps you can implement to start that journey.
Firstly, having mixed emotions about your body is normal and natural.
One specialist recommended “leaning into” that and discovering an creative expression for it.
“Artistic expression is a wonderful way to let those feelings out in a way that might even be enjoyable. Try drawing, making a collage, or making a journal to document your experiences,” she suggested.
While social media use can fuel negative habits and feelings, there are ways to reduce these risks.
“Follow accounts that advocate for body acceptance and positive male role models. Or follow individuals who don’t fit into the narrow view of manhood promoted by the mainstream,” she
