13 / 05 / 2026
10 Minute Read

Looksmaxxing: Why men should know that at the end, it does not wort it.

 

Looksmaxxing. Not so long ago, I was hearing that word for the first time. Well, you won’t find it in the dictionary as it is one of these new trendy words invented by the internet subculture. It is about self-improvement focused on maximizing one's physical attractiveness through various methods. I will keep this content rather short as I don’t think you need a 3000 words article to understand what looksmaxxing is and why it rises question on self-esteem. I will conclude this overview by drawing a parallel with a perspective of the escorts industry on looksmaxxing.

 

What’s looksmaxxing all about?

The core idea if looksmaxxing (also written: looksmaxing) is that is the belief that physical appearance is the single most important factor in social, romantic, and professional success. The "blackpill" is a pessimistic view that if you are unattractive, no amount of personality or effort will overcome it. So, people who strongly believe in looksmaxxing will often be driven by an obsessive pursuit of maximizing their physical attractiveness through a hierarchy of methods, ranging from basic lifestyle changes called "softmaxxing," (skincare, fitness, styling, posture & grooming, tanning or makeup) to invasive medical procedures known as "hardmaxxing (orthodontics / Jaw surgery, rhinoplasty, chin or cheek implants / fillers, hair transplants, limb-lengthening surgery, botox or blepharoplasty...).

But you might say that the vast majority of us do incorporate looksmaxxing into our habits. Some will be content with accessible and inexpensive efforts (softmaxxing), while others will want to improve their appearance more drastically (hardmaxxing). What's wrong with that, you might ask? Personally, I don't see the problem, as long as each decision is considered in light of the ethical, psychological, and safety considerations of the person making it.

Wanting to be attractive and taking care of one's appearance is, in my opinion, a good thing and it isn’t new. Each of us does it or has done it at some point. Moreover, society is quick to remind us of this, or make us feel it, when our appearance isn't acceptable enough in its eyes. But what triggers me with looksmaxxing is the systematic pursuit of physical beauty, ranging from risky surgery to body dysmorphia (unhealthy obsession with minor flaws, fatalistic or misogynistic ideologies…) driven by the belief that looks dictate life outcomes. I disagree on that one and the escort industry is the proof that beauty can help in life, that’s true but it is not an unconditional determining factor for success. It takes way more than that.

Despite the increased willingness of Western societies to demonstrate that diversity and inclusion are concepts to be celebrated, paradoxically, scientific research tells us that looksmaxxing is a movement that has never been so popular and which, moreover, has more and more followers.

 

The strong presence of looksmaxxing on the internet

Did you know that looksmaxxing has evolved from a niche topic on internet forums into a significant phenomenon across mainstream social media, manifesting through dedicated communities, influencer-led content, and a unique vocabulary?

Before reaching mainstream platforms, looksmaxxing was primarily centered in specialized online forums (looksmax.org, Discord Servers, looksmaxxing.com). These spaces function as central knowledge bases and support groups for the practice. While forums remain the ideological heart of the movement, platforms like TikTok, YouTube, and Instagram have been crucial in bringing looksmaxxing to a mass audience, largely through influencers.

The looksmaxxing community has developed its own vocabulary to describe its goals and concepts, which has spread widely across social media. This language originates from the deeper, more complex ideologies of the "manosphere" and "incel" communities. Experts note that the focus on "looksmaxxing" serves as a more palatable rebranding of these ideologies to circumvent bans on hateful language, creating a "toxic combination" of self-improvement with misogyny.

Looksmaxxing apps are also getting very popular. They work by using Artificial Intelligence to analyze your uploaded selfies, providing a quantifiable attractiveness score and a personalized plan of suggestions to improve your appearance. How does it work exactly?

Well, it’s pretty straight forwards. You take a selfie or upload a photo from your gallery directly into the app. The app's AI engine scans your facial features to identify strengths and weaknesses. It examines traits like jawline definition, skin health, eye tilt (canthal tilt), facial symmetry, and hairline. Then, the AI generates an "Attractiveness Score" or "Hotness Rater" and provides a detailed breakdown of specific features. Based on the analysis, the app generates a step-by-step "Glow-Up Routine" with tailored advice on skincare, grooming, style, and specific exercises to improve features like the jawline. And of course, all this isn’t for free. While the apps are technically free to download, almost all of the core features are locked behind a paid subscription model...

 

Looksmaxxing : More popular among men?

Researchers tell us that looksmaxxing is significantly more popular and prevalent among men and young boys. But to me, it is essentially a male-driven version of beauty practices that we, women have been subjected to for decades.

A 2025 survey conducted by looksmaxxing.com community forum found that 73.1% of respondents identified as male, compared to 25.7% female. Numerous publications describe looksmaxxing as a trend practiced primarily by "teenage boys or young men", "young men" , and "Gen Z boys" .

For decades, women have been the primary target of appearance-focused marketing and social pressure. Now, experts argue that social media is applying that same intense pressure to young men. Men are increasingly feeling that their "sexual market value" (SMV) is tied to a narrow and often unattainable set of physical standards. The trend promotes a very specific, hyper-masculine look, including a chiseled jawline, "hunter eyes," and a muscular, lean physique. This ideal often sets men against impossible standards, leading to body dysmorphia and extreme measures in a way previously more associated with women.

 

No: Attractiveness is not equal to success

Look, attractive people do have some advantages. That's a fact. But confusing looks with success? That's a trap.

The truth is that real success (professionally but also in one’s private life) still comes down to talent, persistence, intelligence, and being someone, others want to work with. A handsome surgeon who botches the operation isn't successful. A gorgeous actor who can't remember their lines won't work for long. Looks might open a door, but they won't keep you in the room.

And here's the thing about beauty itself: it's completely made up. Not in a conspiracy theory way, but in a "different times and places have totally different standards" way. Renaissance painters loved full figures. The 90s wanted heroin chic. Today? Huge glutes and tiny waist. None of this is biology. It's just whatever a given society agrees on at a given moment. That's what "social construction" means. And looksmaxxing is to me a social construction.

People over 45 who will read this article remember how celebrities used to get famous before the 90s. Think about it: Bob Dylan? Weird voice, average face. Dustin Hoffman? Short, not conventionally handsome. Kurt Vonnegut? Nobody bought his books because of his jawline.

And for the younger generation reading this, let me give you some examples that you can relate to: British singer Ed Sheeran, French actor Vincent Cassel, and American singer Drake are very talented men with average physical appearances (who have managed to resist cosmetic surgery), and yet they are full of charm and very popular with women!

Before, people became famous for being interesting, talented, or just having something to say.

So, what changed? Money. The beauty industry realized insecurity sells better than soap. If they can convince you that your worth is tied to your appearance, they've got you for life. Skincare, makeup, hair products, surgery, fillers, gym memberships: It's a multi-billion-dollar machine designed to make you feel like you're never quite enough.

Although numerous studies have shown that being attractive can help in accessing certain professions, and that attractive people tend to earn more on average than those less physically attractive, it has not yet been demonstrated that attractive people are more successful in life or more likely to become wealthy, for example. Furthermore, it is worth noting that among the world's richest people, very few are exceptionally beautiful, even when these same individuals can afford cosmetic surgery.

The brutal truth is that real success never actually changed. You still need skills, grit, and decent character. The only thing that changed is that a bunch of companies found a very profitable lie to sell. Don't buy it.

 

The handsome proletarian or the rich man of average looks?

And I'll end this article with "the million-dollar question", to reassure all those young (and not so young) adults who still believe their physical appearance will determine the course of their lives. Do women prefer a super good-looking guy who struggles to make ends meet over an average looking guy who is very comfortable financially? Let’s mention that both are kind, generous and of about the same age. Well, I am not ashamed to say it, I will go for the second guy and many women who is a minimum honest with herself will certainly follow my choice. Why? This is for two very simple reasons: the first is that the probability of an overly handsome man using his look to attract multiple women and ultimately leaving me for someone else is very high. The second is that, whatever people say, a woman needs protection and peace of mind, and this security is reflected both in the emotional AND financial comfort a man provides.

While this pressure may seem stronger for women (and wrongly so), for men, in my opinion, and based on my experience as a woman, there is always a way around physical attractiveness, if they have potential or other aspects to highlight.

Why? Because a woman, as soon as she reaches a certain level of maturity (often from her mid-thirties onward), has different criteria when it comes to choosing the man she wants to be with. While a young woman in her twenties might be attracted to a physically attractive man, her tastes, expectations, and needs will evolve with age, and her criteria for a partner will change, placing less emphasis on physical beauty. I think everyone (men and women reading this) understands where I'm going with this.

Even within the sex industry, which also contributes to perpetuating some of the messages of the looksmaxxing trend, this perception is false. Men who visit escorts aren't all unattractive or even just average. Among them are some real stunners! Furthermore, the most generous, pleasant, and respectful clients are often those with average looks. Similarly, the best independent escorts (the most successful ones) aren't the ones who look like top-models. No, they're often the everyday girls next door who become popular because they have more to offer than just a perfect figure. In the same way, just because you're considered handsome according to social stereotypes doesn't mean an escort will necessarily bend over backwards for you and offer you the best service ever. No, the quality of her service will have nothing to do with your physical appearance, but rather with the overall experience of the encounter, your hygiene and your attitude towards her.

Looksmaxxing does not guarantee success or happiness. Wanting to improve one's appearance for personal satisfaction is one thing. Feeling pressured to do so because one seeks approval from society is another. I'm convinced that physical beauty is fleeting, and even looksmaxxing can't do much about it. True beauty (both male and female), the kind that lasts forever, is actually a complex combination of many other things.

 

Janet – The Velvet Rooms

 

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