Looksmaxxing: A Growing Concern Among Young Men

Rigorous facial exercises, extreme dieting, and reshaping facial structure are some actions involved in looksmaxxing. This practice aims to enhance physical appearance at any cost and is gaining popularity among teenage boys and young men on social media. Originally a niche trend, looksmaxxing became mainstream after gaining traction on TikTok in the early 2020s.

Cultural aspects of looksmaxxing, like its misogynistic underpinnings and masculinity implications, have received much media attention. Some prominent figures in the looksmaxxing community, with large followings on platforms like TikTok and Kick, have achieved pop-culture status. Yet, the mental health impacts on participants in this trend are underacknowledged.

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From my perspective as a mental health professional, the behaviors tied to looksmaxxing show signs of eating disorders and body dysmorphia. These issues are particularly harmful to youth who are developing self-identity and managing relationships, challenges compounded by social media pressures.

Elevating looksmaxxers to celebrity status and sensationalizing their actions diverts attention from the mental health issues at play. This trend, although rooted in internet subculture for years, gained prominence since the early 2020s.

A Historical Repeat

The looksmaxxing trend mirrors past troubling behaviors. A similar ideology appeared in the 2000s, embraced mainly by young women. Platforms like Tumblr and MySpace hosted communities promoting disordered eating behaviors, tagged as “pro-ana” or “pro-ED.” This phenomenon was highlighted by mainstream media and became a research focus for social scientists and medical professionals.

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Despite early recognition, Tumblr didn’t ban pro-eating disorder content until 2012. Since then, most social media platforms have developed policies to prevent such communities and provide resources. Instagram, TikTok, and Pinterest promote user safety with dedicated pages about eating disorders help or weight loss ad bans.

Underdiagnosed in Young Men

Although harmful content is recognized, looksmaxxing remains unaddressed by social media policies. High-profile looksmaxxers gain attention similar to internet celebrities. The term “pro-ED” directly refers to mental health disorders, while looksmaxxing poses as self-improvement.

Gender differences mark a major distinction. Looksmaxxing targets young men, with “pro-ED” culture centering on young women. Research suggests 1 in 3 with eating disorders are male, yet societal views link these conditions mainly to females. Boys and men focus more on achieving leanness, a characteristic often overlooked in diagnoses.

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Clinical screenings and media are ineffective in recognizing these distinctions, despite a 2025 study highlighting the issue. Thinness obsession is widely considered the hallmark of eating disorders, though it mostly affects females.

Clinical Insights into Looksmaxxing

From a clinical perspective, looksmaxxing resembles symptoms of eating disorders and body dysmorphia. This practice involves intense focus on perceived flaws, prioritizing physical appearance. Compulsions, fueled by obsessive thoughts, interfere with normal life.

Actions like wearing makeup or height lifts are not inherently bad, but dependence points to issues. Healthy diet modifications are okay, yet appetite-suppressing amphetamines indicate mental health concerns.

Untreated, body dysmorphia and eating disorders lead to serious long-term consequences. Early intervention reduces risks linked to physical and mental health, such as heart problems, skin changes, gastrointestinal issues, depression, and suicide.

Societal framing of mental health problems influences responses. Responses to early internet culture offer a precedent for addressing looksmaxxing clinically. Understanding these disorders in young men can lead to social media guidelines and parent awareness.

For support with male eating disorders or mental health, consult the National Eating Disorders Association or HeadsUpGuys. U.S. readers in crisis can contact the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline or text HELLO to 741741 for free, confidential help. International readers should refer to local services.

This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article.