Looksmaxxing may point to deeper body image issues in young men, mental health expert says
Summary
Looksmaxxing is a popular trend among mostly young men on social media where they try extreme ways to improve their appearance. Mental health experts warn these behaviors may be signs of serious issues like eating disorders and body image problems, but this concern has received little attention so far.Key Facts
- Looksmaxxing involves intense efforts to change one's appearance, such as heavy facial exercises or even harmful actions like reshaping bones.
- The trend grew popular mainly on TikTok and Kick in the early 2020s.
- Many looksmaxxing participants are teenage boys and young men.
- Experts see similarities between looksmaxxing behaviors and disorders like eating disorders and body dysmorphic disorder, which involve unhealthy body image.
- These mental health issues are especially risky for young people still developing their identity and social skills.
- Past online communities promoting eating disorders mainly involved young women, with platforms eventually banning such content starting around 2012.
- Most major social media sites now have rules to block pro-eating disorder content and provide mental health support resources.
- However, the looksmaxxing trend in young men has not yet been widely addressed as a mental health problem.
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