Looksmaxxing trend poses health and fertility risks

The social media trend known as ‘looksmaxxing’—the systematic optimization of physical appearance—is raising significant health and psychological concerns among young people. Originating in ‘manosphere’ and ‘incel’ online communities, the practice encourages individuals to achieve specific aesthetic ideals, such as a prominent jawline, ‘hunter eyes,’ and high muscularity.

While some practitioners engage in ‘softmaxxing’ through fitness and skincare, others turn to ‘hardmaxxing,’ which involves extreme measures. These include the use of unregulated supplements, high-strength prescription products like retinols, and anabolic steroids. Medical experts warn that the use of non-prescribed testosterone and steroids can cause sperm counts to ‘plummet,’ directly impacting male fertility. Additionally, extreme weight loss pursued by women to meet beauty standards can disrupt menstruation and ovulation, and potentially lead to osteoporosis.

Beyond physical health, the trend is linked to problematic ideologies and psychological pressure. The culture often relies on online rankings where users are judged as ‘attractive,’ ‘average,’ or ‘hopeless.’ Experts highlight the danger of social media platforms, such as TikTok, where medical and beauty advice is frequently inaccurate, leading users to adopt risky behaviors in pursuit of idealized physical traits.