Raising What does looksmaxxing mean? Explained for parents
What is looksmaxxing? "Looksmaxxing" means trying to make yourself look as attractive as possible. Merriam-Webster defines it as efforts, "sometimes extreme," mostly by young men online, ranging from skincare to cosmetic surgery. The word started in online incel communities in the mid-2010s and spread on TikTok in the early 2020s. Mewing is one of its best-known practices.
Looksmaxxing at a glance
| Means | Efforts, sometimes extreme, to look more attractive, mostly among young men online source |
|---|---|
| From | Online incel communities in the mid-2010s; spread on TikTok in the early 2020s |
| Includes | "Softmaxxing" (skincare, haircuts) and "hardmaxxing" (crash diets, surgery) source |
| Linked to | Mewing, a tongue exercise orthodontists say has no proven effect source |
| Tone | Not a swear word; some of the practices carry health risks (Dictionary.com) source |
Checked October 2026. Slang changes fast; meanings can differ between groups of kids.
What does looksmaxxing mean?
Short answer: Maximizing your looks.
- "Looks" means appearance; "maxxing" comes from gaming slang for maximizing.
- Softmaxxing means everyday changes. Merriam-Webster lists skincare, grooming, exercise, dieting, and fashion; Dictionary.com mentions a new haircut or skincare routine.
- Hardmaxxing means extreme ones. Dictionary.com lists crash dieting, facial surgery, and "bone smashing," hitting your face to reshape it, based on what it calls an unfounded belief.
Where looksmaxxing comes from
According to Merriam-Webster, the term started in the mid-2010s in online incel communities. Dictionary.com says these communities are "sometimes associated with violent, misogynistic content, particularly targeting women." By the early 2020s it had spread across social media, especially TikTok. Merriam-Webster says the trend's rise in late 2023 and early 2024 prompted discussion about health and safety.
How it connects to mewing
Merriam-Webster names mewing, a tongue exercise meant to sharpen the jawline, as a practice "closely associated with looksmaxxing." The American Association of Orthodontists says there's no scientific evidence mewing works. Our mewing guide covers it in detail.
Is looksmaxxing dangerous?
Short answer: It depends on the practice. Skincare and haircuts are ordinary. Dictionary.com says experts warn that looksmaxxing can take an emotional, physical, and financial toll, including body dysmorphia, low self-esteem, and depression, and that unregulated methods can cause physical harm.
The habit kids may copy: rating faces
Some looksmaxxing videos rate faces and jawlines. Kids who watch them may start rating themselves and their friends the same way.
Try tonight: what bodies can do
At dinner, each person names one thing their body did today, not how it looks: climbed, carried, ran, hugged. In our program, this is the lesson "Courage": being yourself takes courage too.
FAQ
What is softmaxxing?
The milder side of looksmaxxing. Merriam-Webster lists skincare, grooming, exercise, dieting, and fashion.
What is hardmaxxing?
The extreme side: Dictionary.com lists crash dieting, facial surgery, and "bone smashing."
Is mewing part of looksmaxxing?
Yes. Merriam-Webster calls mewing a practice "closely associated with looksmaxxing."
Where did looksmaxxing come from?
From online incel communities in the mid-2010s, according to Merriam-Webster; it spread on TikTok in the early 2020s.
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