What is it? Looksmaxxing is an online trend where teenagers, primarily boys but increasingly girls, research and find ways to try to maximize their physical appearance. It started as a physical thing with usual methods- diet, posture, exercise. But increasingly they are taking to doing more intense and medical methods.
I am writing this blog as I need to be informed as a plastic surgeon as to what is going on out there in the wilds of the internet and TikTok. I am also a mom, with three kids in college and just beyond. They are being bombarded by this. What you need to know.
Softmaxxing is “softer” stuff. These are methods which are relatively harmless
Hardmaxxing is more aggressive. This gets into more intense actions like surgery, peptides, hormones, and supplements. The issue here is information and quality control. Many of the teens are getting advice from TikTok and online forums.
This I find terrifying. This is so available to anyone who wants it, and they are being “guided” by reddits, Youtube, discord, and TikToks which are notoriously not medically accurate. These are active compounds. There is little research on many of them. What is the ideal amount? delivery system? length of time to take them? WHAT ARE THE UNINTENDED SIDE EFFECTS?
I found a great quote, which drove home what is going on.
“Imagine your teenager found a medicine cabinet online, read some YouTube comments about what each pill does, and started mixing and injecting them into themselves in their bedroom — with zero medical supervision. That’s essentially what’s happening.”
For the kids their hormonal systems are still developing. Some of these peptides can affect growth hormone, so may permanently disrupt puberty and development. Angiogenic compounds may increase cancer rates.
I say this about kids, but it goes for adults too. Our systems may not still be developing, but peptides are biologically active. Few have long term studies in humans. Do not self diagnose. Do not self dose. Do not believe TikTok creators over doctors.
Wow. This is a lot to unpack. I do think focusing on body health is great. I do think getting into good habits when you are young will pay off as you age. We don’t have many ways yet to “reverse” aging, so slowing aging and protecting your skin, joints, muscles, and organs makes sense.
This can be done safely with well known, basic, safe, proven treatments. Read my page on “prejuvenation.”
Creatine is safe and good for muscle growth. It is particularly good for those who are vegan and vegetarian. I am not a fan of young patients doing more aggressive treatments. Please read my prior blogs about things like Baby Botox.
These hold promise, but they need to be developed and honed. These are active compounds with a lot of effects. You need to know WHAT you are treating, HOW to treat it (dosage, method, time), and the QUALITY of the product. You need to know the unintended current effects on the body and the long term effects.
I became a surgeon about twenty years after people did radiation to help with their acne. Radiation worked to decrease acne. The acne went away. The unintended consequence? Twenty years later these patients got tons of skin cancers and accelerated facial aging.
Safety and health is paramount. Being pretty should be second.
The information provided on this website is for general informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of a qualified healthcare provider for any questions regarding your health or medical condition.
