Looksmaxxer: it’s a (mad) man’s man’s world

Looksmaxing, as the word implies, is a man’s attempt to “maximize” his good looks and, therefore, increase his SMV (Sexual Market Value)

The suffix “max” originates from gaming culture and denotes the complete optimization of a character’s particular attributes and characteristics.

Looksmaxxers employ various techniques, ranging from mild to more invasive, in their quest to alter specific physical features that they perceive as symbolic of masculinity, e.g., height, jawline, eye position, cheekbones, skin quality, and muscle definition.

The term “looksmaxxing,” which originated within Incel forums, has been in circulation for over a decade.

Incels, short for “involuntary celibates” (also known as l*sers) represent online communities consisting of men who – despite their best efforts – cannot have romantic relationships with women, who they obviously blame.

The US Secret Service views Incels as a “growing terrorist threat” due to over 50 recorded attacks since 2014, with numerous mass shooters either identified as or linked to them.

Incels victimize themselves through the theory of “lookism,” which they define as “prejudice or discrimination based on one’s appearance.”

They use this theory to explain why women don’t fancy them.

Aside from physical appearance, Incels also believe that factors such as social status, wealth, and success play significant roles in determining a man’s sexual success. They classify men into hegemonic categories like “Alpha” or “Sigma” based on these traits. In contrast, others are labeled as less dominant, falling into categories such as “Beta,” “Gamma,” “Delta,” and “Omega.”

Content that was predominantly discussed in Incel forums has recently found its way onto TikTok, where the algorithm started recommending it to teenage boys, who are primarily engaging with the Manosphere.

Since then, many users have begun to mock looksmaxxing and have applied its principles to content unrelated to incels. An example would be “looksmaxxing for women.”

*Manosphere: A network of sites and online communities that advocate for “manliness” and misogyny while opposing feminism.

Some of the subcategories of looksmaxxing are:

Softmaxxing: The most popular of all the looksmaxxing types, it promotes mild interventions such as good skincare, hair care, hygiene, exercise, proper nutrition, and some cramp-inducing mewing.

Mewing: A technique attributed to orthodontist John Mew, which lacks substantial scientific backing, purports that correct tongue posture can enhance facial features.

Hardmaxxing: Less commonly discussed techniques, particularly prominent outside of TikTok, include procedures such as plastic surgery (e.g., limb lengthening for height), hair transplants, and the use of anabolic steroids.

Many also consider bonesmashing to be part of this category, which involves intentionally breaking the jaw or cheekbones in the belief that it will strengthen facial features.

Looksmaxxers often regard bonesmashing as a joke, and only a few reported cases of individuals claiming to have actually undergone such procedures exist.

Edgemaxxing: Some looksmaxxers endorse edging, a practice involving delaying orgasm by stopping just before ejacul**ion.

Starvemaxxing: Another “technique” involves dramatically reducing calorie intake in an attempt to achieve a more “masculine” physique. This method has gained significant attention, with the hashtag amassing over 8 million views on TikTok.

Ropemaxxing: This disturbing practice involves encouraging individuals to contemplate suicide in hopes of being “reborn” less ugly.

Most of the time, the practices mentioned above are jokes within looksmaxxer communities. However, there are instances where some users risk taking them seriously.

Young men, often struggling to find fulfillment in their lifestyle, may focus on altering their external appearance, seeing it as a more tangible means of improvement.

This inclination is reinforced by the pressure to appear “attractive” in the photos they upload on social media and dating apps.

Looksmaxxing can be dangerous. It represents another endeavor, this time by men, to address a question that predates the existence of platforms like TikTok and Reddit: “What can I do to feel worthy enough?”