Looksmaxxing
🔶Manosphere originDefinition
The practice of maximizing physical attractiveness through various methods, from basic grooming and fitness (softmaxxing) to surgical procedures (hardmaxxing). Originated in incel/lookism communities but has gone mainstream on TikTok.
Dad Mode: You Should Probably Talk to Them
Looksmaxxing is basically self-improvement focused on appearance. At the mild end, it's just skincare routines and going to the gym (softmaxxing), which is totally fine. At the extreme end (hardmaxxing), it involves surgery and dangerous practices like bonesmashing. The word itself isn't a red flag, but pay attention to where on that spectrum your kid is focused. Healthy self-care? Great. Obsessive measurement of facial features? Worth a conversation.
Came from: Incel/lookism forums (2010s) → TikTok mainstream (2023-present)
Examples
“I've been looksmaxxing all summer”
“I've been working on my appearance all summer”
“Softmaxxing first, then maybe hardmaxxing”
“Starting with basic grooming/fitness, then maybe considering more extreme changes”
Cringe Score
Please don't
The concept of trying to look better is literally just... existing. But calling it 'looksmaxxing' makes it sound way more intense than it needs to be.
Category
identity
Peak
2025-06
Last Verified
2026-02-25
Sources
editorial, tiktok, reddit