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A growing trend on platforms like TikTok and Instagram is prompting young men to “enhance” their appearance.

Referred to as the looksmaxxing craze, the movement focuses on achieving the “perfect” physique and facial features. It is related to comparable online trends, called softmaxxing and hardmaxxing, which promote everything from intensive grooming routines to surgical interventions and radical body modification.

Although proponents claim these practices can be confidence-building, therapists alert they can fuel body dysmorphia, anxiety, and other unhealthy behaviors.

One mental health professional labeled this trend as a “social media-driven body image disorder trend.”

“Young men fall into this false sense of acceptance, and what they believe others desire from them,” he explained. “They can get trapped in potentially lifelong battles with feeling a sense of not being good enough and handling that shortcoming.”

He further described that “Individuals will devote their time on improving their body based on emotions of low self-worth or insecurity.”

“Individuals can get stuck in a loop of trying to ‘fix’ their appearance, but as therapists, we know that if you’re struggling with inadequate or less than, those are the issues to work on with a trained therapist.”

Exploring the Distinctions Among the Looksmaxxing, Softmaxxing, and Hardmaxxing Trends?

Although the language varies, the trends all have one thing in common: the desire to compulsively change one’s looks.

“Looksmaxxing is essentially self-improvement put on overdrive. It’s recasting the male body as something to be built,” the expert clarified.

Whereas the softer approach entails more gradual changes to one’s appearance, frequently accomplished through grooming and lifestyle adjustments, the extreme version is more intense.

“It includes serious methods to change your appearance, such as nose jobs, injectables, hair transplants, and genioplasty. The obvious issue with this is that once you open that Pandora’s Box, it’s hard to go back,” he pointed out.

Another eating disorder specialist explained the differences.

“It’s natural to have a desire for self-care, and caring for your appearance can boost self-esteem and be gender affirming. But the big distinction is that looksmaxxing is based on self-loathing and trying to conform, at the expense of your health and security,” she stated.

“The extreme version, on the other hand, seems to be dipping its toe into self-harm territory, particularly some of its associated behaviors, like intentionally injuring facial bones with a hammer.”

The Reasons Looksmaxxing Is Especially Prevalent Among Teenagers

Why does looksmaxxing seem to be connecting with young men in particular?

One therapist said that teenagers, particularly adolescents, are often 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 suggests movements like looksmaxxing may be connected to incel culture and the manosphere.

“It started in recent years, with male gurus espousing specific views of manhood. These types of ‘masculine’ figures have led some men astray,” he said.

Another specialist offered a additional viewpoint about possible contributing factors.

“Mental health issues and loneliness are also widespread currently, making young men especially vulnerable,” she noted.

The Boundary Separating Healthy Self-Improvement and Harmful Behaviors

Identifying the boundary separating taking pride in your appearance and an unhealthy fixation with how you look can be difficult for many people.

“Routines aimed at betterment turn problematic when fear is the primary driver; when your habits are taking up so much mental space that you can’t be present in your daily existence and connections,” one therapist explained.

There are several risks linked to these kinds of detrimental behaviors.

“Eating disorders and dangerous actions are commonly connected to body dysmorphia, worry, and poor self-worth,” she said.

“Males are at danger of feeling embarrassment around their physiques due to societal messaging that they should be muscular and fit. And for some men, it can feel like a challenge to their sense of manhood and self-esteem.”

The other expert noted that, for some people who try to make solely external changes to their physique, it can lead to harmful, obsessive emotional voids.

“It can escalate quickly, and you may believe you must do something to help yourself feel better rather than feeling comfortable in your own skin.”

Ultimately, he stated, healthy self-improvement typically doesn’t look like the type of improvement content that’s popular on social media platforms.

“It’s about nurturing yourself from the inside,” he emphasized.

Strategies for Practising Body Positivity

Developing more self-acceptance is not a process that occurs quickly, but there are healthy actions you can implement to start that journey.

Firstly, having mixed emotions about your body is normal and natural.

One specialist recommended “exploring” that and finding an outlet for it.

“Creativity is a great way to express those emotions in a way that might even be enjoyable. Consider drawing, making a collage, or making a book to record your experiences,” she suggested.

Although social media use can fuel unhealthy behaviors and feelings, there are ways to minimize these dangers.

“Subscribe to profiles that advocate for body positivity and healthy masculinity. Or engage with people who challenge the limited definition of manhood promoted by the mainstream,” she