A social media trend known as “looksmaxxing” has sparked alarm among medical professionals who say young men are turning to unsafe methods in pursuit of a more sculpted appearance.

Dermatologists and therapists are warning that these extreme measures can blur the line between self-improvement and self-harm.

During a recent televised discussion, Brian Kilmeade explored the phenomenon with dermatologist Dr. Claire Wolinsky and family therapist Tom Kersting. Both experts described a growing fascination among young men with achieving sharper features and higher confidence through a mix of skincare regimens and more dangerous techniques.

The movement includes two primary approaches: “softmaxxing,” which focuses on grooming and wellness habits, and “hardmaxxing,” which can involve steroids, supplements, or surgery. Although the trend is framed online as self-enhancement, the experts noted increasing concern about its physical and psychological risks.

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Dr. Wolinsky explained that “looksmaxxing” has gained significant traction over the past year, fueled by viral methods such as “mewing.” This practice involves pressing the tongue against the roof of the mouth in hopes of reshaping the jawline. The dermatologist dismissed these claims, stating the approach is “clearly not science-based at all.”

She said the trend reflects a broader shift in how young men consume health information. Many, she noted, no longer trust established medical voices. Instead, they take cues from influencers and peers with idealized appearances promoted across social media.

“They look online for their information, and they look at attractive peers to see what they're doing, and they want to look like them,” Wolinsky said. This reliance on visual culture, she added, contributes to misguided and potentially harmful beauty standards.

Family therapist Tom Kersting raised questions about what drives participation in “looksmaxxing.” He asked whether the young men taking part are motivated by “narcissistic behavior” or by a deeper need for “external gratification from strangers online.”

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Kersting argued that self-worth cannot be measured by digital validation. “Self-esteem is how I feel about myself. It has nothing to do with how many likes, followers or thumbs-up that I get from the outside world,” he said.

While Wolinsky acknowledged that basic grooming and wellness habits are positive, she distinguished these from extreme actions associated with “hardmaxxing.” She voiced concern over young men using steroids or seeking cosmetic surgery prematurely, saying such choices “concern me as a mom and also as a physician.”

The discussion also addressed an alarming subtrend called “bone smashing.” This practice involves striking one’s own face with blunt objects in hopes of changing bone structure. Wolinsky warned that the tactic is profoundly dangerous, explaining, “They're apparently taking hammers or physical objects and hurting themselves.”

She refuted the pseudoscientific claims circulating online, saying, “There's no way that by destroying a bone, it gets thicker or better, or your jawline's going to look improved.” Her remarks underscored the potential for serious injury among those attempting these acts.

Kersting suggested that the obsession with self-alteration could reflect broader social struggles among young men. He described a generation that feels “pushed aside and forgotten about,” searching for identity and validation in a digital environment dominated by superficial ideals.

He concluded that the influencers leading the charge often lack the genuine insight their followers believe they possess. “The people that are influencing them… these social media influencers… don't really have anything very influential to offer,” he said.

The conversation pointed to a troubling convergence of online culture, body image pressure, and misinformation. Experts agreed that as trends like “looksmaxxing” spread, the focus should return to credible sources for health guidance and to addressing mental well-being alongside physical appearance.