🔗 Share this article

A rising trend on social media is encouraging boys to “enhance” their appearance.

Referred to as the looksmaxxing craze, the movement focuses on achieving the “perfect” physique and facial features. It mirrors similar social media phenomena, known as its two main subtypes, which advocate for everything from rigorous grooming routines to cosmetic procedures and extreme physical alterations.

While proponents argue these practices can be confidence-building, mental health experts caution they can provoke body dysmorphia, anxiety, and other harmful patterns.

One licensed counselor labeled this trend as a “social media-driven body image disorder craze.”

“Young men can succumb to this false sense of approval, and what they think women want from them,” he noted. “They can get caught up in potentially long-term struggles with feeling not being good enough and handling that inadequacy.”

He went on to explain that “Individuals will devote their time on changing their body based on emotions of inferiority or inadequacy.”

“Men can get caught in a loop of trying to ‘fix’ their looks, but as therapists, we know that if you’re struggling with inadequate or less than, those are the issues to address with a trained professional.”

What Are the Differences Between the Three Main Movements?

While the terminology differs, the trends all have one thing in common: the drive to compulsively change one’s appearance.

“Looksmaxxing is fundamentally personal development put on steroids. It’s recasting the male body as something to be designed,” the counselor explained.

Whereas the softer approach entails subtler changes to one’s appearance, frequently achieved through grooming and habit changes, the extreme version is more radical.

“It involves drastic methods to change your appearance, such as rhinoplasty, injectables, surgical hair restoration, and genioplasty. The clear issue with this is that once you open that Pandora’s Box, it’s hard to go back,” he noted.

Another eating disorder specialist summed up the key distinctions.

“There’s nothing wrong with a desire for self-care, and caring for your appearance can build self-esteem and be positive. But the major distinction is that looksmaxxing is based on self-loathing and trying to conform, at the cost of your well-being and safety,” she pointed out.

“The extreme version, meanwhile, seems to be venturing into self-harm practices, especially some of its associated behaviors, like intentionally injuring facial bones with a blunt object.”

Why This Trend Is Particularly Popular With Young Men

What makes this movement seem to be resonating with young men in such high numbers?

One expert said that teenagers, especially teens, are often at a phase of their lives when they are still figuring out who they are, and many may be searching for ways to project what they perceive as “the ‘ideal’ version of masculinity.”

He also believes trends like this one may be connected to incel culture and the manosphere.

“It started in recent years, with male gurus espousing certain ideals of masculinity. These types of ‘alpha’ figures have led some men down a harmful path,” he said.

Another therapist shared a additional perspective about possible underlying causes.

“Mental health issues and loneliness are also prevalent right now, making young men especially vulnerable,” she added.

The Line Separating Healthy Self-Improvement and Unhealthy Behaviors

Recognizing the boundary separating taking pride in your looks and an damaging fixation with how you look can be challenging for many people.

“Routines aimed at betterment turn problematic when anxiety is the primary driver; when your rituals are taking up so much headspace that you can’t be present in your daily existence and relationships,” one specialist explained.

There are several dangers associated with these kinds of detrimental behaviors.

“Eating disorders and self-harm behaviours are commonly connected to poor body image, anxiety, and low self-esteem,” she said.

“Men are at danger of experiencing shame around their physiques due to societal messaging that they should be muscular and fit. And for some men, it can seem like a challenge to their sense of manhood and self-worth.”

The other counselor noted that, for some individuals who try to make purely superficial changes to their body, it can lead to harmful, obsessive psychological needs.

“It can spin out of control, and you may feel you must do something to help yourself feel better rather than feeling comfortable in your own skin.”

Ultimately, he stated, healthy personal growth typically isn’t represented by the kind of improvement content that’s popular on apps like TikTok and Instagram.

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

Tips for Cultivating Body Positivity

Developing greater body acceptance is not a process that happens quickly, but there are positive actions you can take to start that process.

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

One therapist recommended “exploring” that and finding an creative expression for it.

“Creativity is a great way to let those feelings out in a way that might even be enjoyable. Try sketching, collaging, or making a book to document your experiences,” she suggested.

While social media use can worsen unhealthy behaviors and emotions, there are methods to reduce these risks.

“Subscribe to accounts that promote body positivity and healthy masculinity. Or engage with people who challenge the narrow view of manhood promoted by the mainstream,” she