The Dark Side of "Looksmaxxing": How an Online Obsession is Driving Body Dissatisfaction Among Young Men
A social movement known as "looksmaxxing," focused on maximizing physical attractiveness through extreme measures, has moved from niche online forums to mainstream social media platforms. Experts and clinicians report a corresponding rise in body dissatisfaction among boys and young men, including conditions such as muscle dysmorphia (bigorexia).
Origins and Core Concepts
Looksmaxxing originated in internet communities associated with "involuntary celibacy" (incel) . It promotes a quantitative, pseudoscientific approach to attractiveness, using measures such as facial symmetry, jawline definition, and "canthal tilt" (the angle of the eye corners) to rank individuals. Terms like "mogging" (outdoing others in attractiveness) are used to describe a perceived hierarchy.
One associated website, Omoggle, scans users' faces to create rankings. Its creator, Pablo Rogers, describes the system as a "game mechanic" and not an objective judgment.
"There is no validity to any of this." — Simon Copland, Sociologist, Australian National University
Methods and Practices
The movement advocates for a range of methods to alter appearance, from benign tips (exercise, skincare) to destructive ones. Documented practices among young men, including individuals named Levi (15) and Nate (15), include:
- Cheek biting to enhance the jawline
- Use of peptides and steroids
- "Bonesmashing" (hitting the jaw or face with a hammer)
A figurehead of the movement, Braden Peters (known online as Clavicular), was hospitalized after collapsing during a livestream. He later stated he was swearing off drugs.
Body Image and Muscle Dysmorphia (Bigorexia)
Clinicians report a notable increase in body image concerns among boys. A segment of young men develops an intense preoccupation with not being sufficiently muscular—a condition known as bigorexia or muscle dysmorphia.
Dr. Jason Nagata, an eating disorder researcher at the University of California, San Francisco, states that affected individuals can come from any body size or shape, making identification by appearance alone difficult.
"There is no endpoint, and the goalposts keep moving." — Zac Seidler, Psychologist
Factors and Risks
Three primary factors are identified as contributing to the rise in muscle dysmorphia: family, peers, and media. Studies indicate that media, particularly social media, is the most significant predictor, as it showcases idealized bodybuilder physiques. Experts note that social media platforms' design tends to amplify extreme body ideals.
Individuals with bigorexia face heightened risks of:
- Disordered eating
- Steroid use
- Suicidal ideation
Longitudinal studies in Canada show an increasing proportion of boys among patients hospitalized for disordered eating.
Diagnostic Context
Bigorexia was added to the DSM (Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders) in 2013 as a body dysmorphic disorder. Dr. Nagata advocates for its reclassification as an eating disorder to resolve diagnostic complexities when symptoms of both conditions co-occur, as they are currently considered mutually exclusive under existing frameworks. The exact prevalence of bigorexia is difficult to ascertain due to limited awareness and diagnostic challenges.
Expert Perspectives
Experts characterize the metrics used by the looksmaxxing movement as pseudoscientific. Simon Copland, a sociologist at the Australian National University (ANU), stated: "There is no validity to any of this."
Psychologist Zac Seidler commented on the movement's harmful potential, noting that it leads young men to believe there is a solution to their appearance, but "there is no endpoint, and the goalposts keep moving."
Dr. Nagata estimates that approximately one-third of teenage boys in the U.S. are attempting to build muscle. He emphasizes that while exercise has health benefits, an over-reliance or addiction to it can become problematic.
Harmful beauty trends for young men have increased over the last decade. — Gene Beresin, Massachusetts General Hospital
Broader Context and Parental Guidance
Gene Beresin, executive director of the Clay Center for Young Healthy Minds at Massachusetts General Hospital, states that harmful beauty trends for young men have increased over the last decade. Valerie Adams-Bass, assistant professor at Rutgers University, notes that boys are often not socialized to express emotions, making conversations about well-being challenging.
Signs for Parents
Experts suggest the following potential signs of a young person being affected by extreme body image concerns:
- Complaints about not looking good enough
- Comparing themselves to others
- Changes in eating habits
- Requests for surgery, particularly jaw surgery
Advice for Parents
Recommended approaches for parents include:
- Starting conversations about appearance and self-esteem from a young age
- Listening and validating feelings without judgment
- Expressing interest in their sons' hobbies to initiate discussions
- Encouraging creativity and alternative interests, such as coding