The concept of looksmaxing has surged from a big community that has demonstrated how beauty can be developed through various means through multiple influencers that have contributed or been praised for as part of the definition of looksmaxing. Looksmaxing along with other terms relating to attractiveness have been seen across the internet. This online sensation has been targeted towards many mainly teenage boys looking for enhancement of one’s own physical attractiveness.

Part of the terms involved within looksmaxing is derived from the world of video games, in which to “max” means to fully develop a character trait, like strength or wisdom. Behind looksmaxing there are two important sides on the topic such as hardmaxing and softmaxing. ‘“softmaxxing’: trying to improve one’s looks by eating better, exercising, perfecting a skin-care regimen.”’ Meanwhile Hardmaxing can be known as an unnatural way of enhancing by undergoing surgery. For many, the look idolized by people is chiseled jaws, pouty lips and high cheekbones, along with “hunter” eyes (those angled slightly downwards towards the nose – a positive canthal tilt). 

Within the conversation of looksmaxing, mogging is mentioned a lot as well with mewing. “Mogging is being superior in physical appearance or overall attractiveness than others.” An example of how a man can usually “mog” others is by appearing taller, having a stronger jawline, deepening their voice, or getting a better haircut or outfit. So when someone says, “I’m mogging you,” it means they think that they’re better looking than you. It’s part of looksmaxing because mogging is the equivalent of dominating others based on appearance or overall attractiveness.“‘Mog’ comes from the acronym ‘AMOG,’ or ‘Alpha Male Of the Group.”’ Along with mogging, mewing is mentioned a lot with over 1 billion mentions on tik tok. The creators of mewing had the intent to exercise their tongue, devices and dietary changes to improve the aesthetics of their face. Since the late 1970s, John Mew and later his son, Mike Mew have promoted orthotropics, the controversial alternative to braces and tooth extractions. Rejected by the orthodontics profession, they began marketing their techniques on YouTube. 

Famous people who have been involved with the popular internet scandal of looksmaxing are Kareem Shami. TikTok user syrianpsycho, promotes softmaxxing to his 1.2 million followers, a 22-year old whose rise in social media was accomplished through sharing his own struggle with his personal physical insecurity and struggling to get dates during his teen years. For the most part, the popular TikTok accounts stick to “softmaxxing”. Looksmaxxing influencers have gained huge followings, while algorithms promote videos watched by millions. Models such as Jordan Barrett and Francisco Lachowski have become looksmaxing sensations.

Within the scope of looksmaxing there have been questionable takes on the field of looksmaxing. The majority of viewers are mainly teenage boys and there has been a concern that young people may be finding more reasons to feel bad about themselves. There isn’t a way to make sure if kids are taking it seriously for jokes such as bonesmashing. (bonesmashing, in which a Looksmaxxer breaks his own jaw or cheek bones in order to make them grow back stronger). For many it’s considered a joke and so far there haven’t been alarming news that people have done it. It’s a concern that young people are praising models for features that are so unique to obtain which results in the use of surgical methods.

https://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2024/feb/15/from-bone-smashing-to-chin-extensions-how-looksmaxxing-is-reshaping-young-mens-faces

https://www.wikihow.com/Mogging#:~:text=%E2%80%9CMogging%E2%80%9D%20means%20you%20look%20better%20than%20someone%20else.&text=A%20%E2%80%9Cmog%E2%80%9D%20usually%20refers%20to,re%20better%20looking%20than%20you. 

https://www.nytimes.com/2023/11/06/style/looksmaxxing-tik-tok-dillon-latham.html#:~:text=Its%20suffix%20comes%20from%20the,popular%20YouTube%20guide%20to%20looksmaxxing.