Looksmaxxing: Why men are going to extremes to look good

“为何男性不惜一切追求完美形象?”

What in the World

2026-03-19

14 分钟
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Looksmaxxing has been all over the internet lately - this is the trend aimed at young men and it’s based on the idea of self-improvement, maximising your physical attractiveness and increasing your sexual market value. It's been part of fringe reddit forums for years now but recently it’s become mainstream, with the hashtag going viral on TikTok, X and Instagram. The trend promotes extreme dieting, obsessive body ranking and pseudo-scientific cosmetic advice - including a recent "bonesmashing" trend which has been condemned by doctors. And it has links to incel and manosphere networks. BBC journalist Thomas Morgan explains looksmaxxing and why it’s become popular with young men, as well as some of the real life consequences. We speak to 22 year old actor Trevor Larcom about his own looksmaxxing journey and find out what he makes of the accusations of misogyny and toxic culture. And Stephen Imeh, who wanted to become the “first black looksmaxxer”, tells us about his experience. Instagram: @bbcwhatintheworld Email: whatintheworld@bbc.co.uk WhatsApp: +44 330 12 33 22 6 Presenter: Iqra Farooq Producers: Mora Morrison, Emilia Jansson and Julia Ross-Roy Video producer: Baldeep Chahal Editor: Verity Wilde and Harriet Oliver
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  • Hey, I'm Ikra and this is What's in the World from the BBC World Service.

  • Luxmaxing has been all over the internet lately.

  • Before I go to bed, I do my neck exercises.

  • I do all the exercises that I need to do for my neck, for my jaw.

  • Chasing your genetic potential is the best way to luxmax.

  • This is the trend aimed at young men.

  • And as the name suggests, it's all about this idea of maximizing your physical attractiveness.

  • pouty lips, the chiseled jaws, hunter eyes are just some of the traits that are being promoted by looks-maxing influencers.

  • And it's having an impact on young men too.

  • Some of them are going to extreme lengths to be able to get these looks, like surgeries, body modifications.

  • So in this episode, we're going to talk about the looks-maxing movement.

  • Let's bring in Trevor, who documents his Luxmaxing journey on TikTok.

  • Hey, Trevor.

  • How's it going?

  • Yes, I'm good.

  • How are you?

  • I'm doing good.

  • Tell us about what drew you into Luxmaxing.

  • Well, so growing up, I've been acting since I was a kid.

  • I've been in over like 20 shows and I was always, you know, the overweight, redheaded kid.