SouthernWorldwide.com – A concerning trend known as “looksmaxxing” is gaining traction among young men, prompting experts to express significant worries about the safety and psychological implications of this pursuit for enhanced physical features.
The phenomenon, discussed on a recent segment, involves young men actively seeking to improve their appearance and boost confidence. This quest is often divided into two main categories: “softmaxxing,” which encompasses less invasive methods, and “hardmaxxing,” which involves more extreme interventions.
While the movement is framed as self-improvement, the experts highlighted serious safety concerns and the underlying psychological motivations driving these young individuals.
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Host Brian Kilmeade described “looksmaxxing” as an endeavor for young men to “surpass genetic potential.” He noted the wide spectrum of methods employed, ranging from extensive skincare routines to more drastic physical alterations.
Dr. Claire Wolinsky, a board-certified dermatologist, stated that the trend has been escalating for at least a year. She pointed to popular techniques like “mewing,” where individuals attempt to reshape their jawlines through specific tongue placement.
Dr. Wolinsky, based in New York, was quick to dismiss the efficacy of such methods, asserting that they are “clearly not science-based at all.”
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The shift towards male-centric beauty standards appears to be heavily influenced by the digital realm, according to Dr. Wolinsky. She observed that “social media is pushing this way,” leading many young people to distrust traditional medical advice.
Instead, she explained, they “look online for their information, and they look at attractive peers to see what they’re doing, and they want to look like them.”
This digital influence has created a situation where social media influencers, rather than physicians, are dictating health and grooming standards for a generation of men, Dr. Wolinsky pointed out.
Family therapist Tom Kersting voiced concerns regarding the mental well-being of those involved in the “looksmaxxing” movement.
The New Jersey-based expert questioned whether these young men are exhibiting “narcissistic behavior” or if they are “in search of some form of external gratification from strangers online.”
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Kersting emphasized that genuine self-worth cannot be quantified by digital metrics. He stated that “self-esteem is how I feel about myself. It has nothing to do with how many likes, followers or thumbs-up that I get from the outside world.”
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While acknowledging that some aspects of the trend can be harmless, the experts noted that the boundary between self-care and self-harm is becoming increasingly blurred.
Dr. Wolinsky suggested that practices like taking care of one’s skin or ensuring adequate sleep can be beneficial.
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Conversely, she expressed alarm over “hardmaxxing” behaviors. These include the use of steroids and supplements or undergoing plastic surgery at a young age. She noted, “These practices concern me as a mom and also as a physician.”
The discussion then turned to “bone smashing,” a practice where individuals reportedly use physical objects to alter their facial structure.
Dr. Wolinsky underscored the severe risks associated with such actions, explaining that “they’re apparently taking hammers or physical objects and hurting themselves.”
“There’s no way that by destroying a bone, it gets thicker or better, or your jawline’s going to look improved,” she stated.
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Kersting suggested that the rise of “looksmaxxing” might be indicative of a larger societal crisis affecting young males who feel “pushed aside and forgotten about.”
As young men grapple with finding their identity, he posited, they may turn to the internet for guidance.
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“The people that are influencing them… these social media influencers… don’t really have anything very influential to offer.”
