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A growing phenomenon on platforms like TikTok and Instagram is pushing boys to “enhance” their appearance.

Referred to as looksmaxxing, the trend focuses on achieving the “ideal” physique and facial features. It is related to similar social media phenomena, called softmaxxing and hardmaxxing, which advocate for practices ranging from intensive grooming routines to surgical interventions and extreme body modification.

Although followers argue these behaviors can be empowering, psychologists alert they can provoke body dysmorphia, anxiety, and other harmful behaviors.

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

“Teenagers can succumb to this illusion of acceptance, and what they think others want from them,” he explained. “They can get trapped in potentially lifelong battles with feeling not being good enough and handling that shortcoming.”

He further described that “People will devote their time on changing their body based on feelings of low self-worth or insecurity.”

“Men can get stuck in a loop of trying to ‘optimize’ their appearance, but as therapists, we know that if you’re feeling not good enough or less than, those are the issues to work on with a qualified therapist.”

What Are the Distinctions Between the Looksmaxxing, Softmaxxing, and Hardmaxxing Trends?

While the language varies, the trends all have one thing in common: the desire to obsessively alter one’s looks.

“This trend is fundamentally personal development put on overdrive. It’s recasting the male physique as something to be engineered,” the counselor clarified.

Whereas softmaxxing involves subtler adjustments to one’s looks, frequently accomplished through grooming and lifestyle adjustments, hardmaxxing is more radical.

“It includes serious methods to transform your appearance, including rhinoplasty, Botox, hair transplants, and chin surgery. The clear problem with this is that once you open that Pandora’s Box, it’s difficult to close the lid,” he noted.

Another eating disorder specialist explained the key distinctions.

“There’s nothing wrong with a desire for self-care, and caring for your looks can boost confidence and be positive. But the major difference 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 dangerous territory, especially some of its associated trends, like intentionally injuring facial bones with a hammer.”

Why Looksmaxxing Is Particularly Prevalent With Young Men

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

One expert explained that teenagers, especially adolescents, are typically at a phase of their lives when they are still figuring out who they are, and many may be searching for ways to portray what they perceive as “the ‘ideal’ version of manhood.”

He also suggests trends like looksmaxxing may be related to incel culture and the manosphere.

“It gained traction several years ago, with online influencers promoting specific ideals of masculinity. These kinds of ‘alpha’ influencers have led some men astray,” he commented.

Another specialist offered a additional viewpoint about potential contributing factors.

“Mental health issues and loneliness are also widespread right now, making young men particularly susceptible,” she added.

The Boundary Separating Positive Self-Care and Harmful Obsessions

Identifying the line separating taking pride in your appearance and an unhealthy obsession with how you look can be challenging for many individuals.

“Routines aimed at betterment turn problematic when anxiety is the primary motivator; when your habits are taking up so much headspace that you can’t be present in your life and relationships,” one specialist said.

There are multiple risks linked to these types of unhealthy patterns.

“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 must be fit and toned. And for some men, it can seem like a threat to their sense of manhood and self-worth.”

The other counselor noted that, for some people who attempt to make solely external modifications to their body, it can open the door to damaging, obsessive emotional voids.

“It can spin out of control, and you may believe you need do something to improve your mood rather than being content in your own body.”

Ultimately, he stated, healthy personal growth usually isn’t represented by the kind of self-care material that’s trending on social media platforms.

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

Tips for Practising Self-Acceptance

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

Firstly, having complicated emotions about your appearance is normal and natural.

One therapist suggested “leaning into” that and finding an creative expression for it.

“Artistic expression is a great way to express those emotions in a way that might even be fun. Consider drawing, collaging, or creating a book to document your journey,” she suggested.

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

“Subscribe to profiles that promote body acceptance and healthy masculinity. Or engage with people who challenge the limited view of manhood promoted by society,” she