Looksmaxxing Safely: Myths vs What Works

What looksmaxxing is, and why it divides people

The term covers everything from drinking more water and wearing sunscreen to extreme body modification. Communities that use it often rate people by numeric scores and treat appearance as a ladder. That framing can be motivating for some and corrosive for others, and it fuels many of the worst ideas in circulation.

A healthier version is simple: take care of your skin, body and grooming, dress well and look after your mind. These are small, low-risk steps with real payoff. Everything else needs sharp scepticism.

What works

These are the high-return basics, roughly in order of impact and ease.

1. Sleep. After a night of sleep loss, photos of the same people were rated less healthy, less attractive and more tired (Axelsson et al., 2010). Adults are advised to get at least seven hours (Watson et al., 2015). See sleep and your face.
2. Sun protection. Daily broad-spectrum sunscreen showed no detectable increase in skin ageing over 4.5 years in a randomised trial (Hughes et al., 2013). See sunscreen 101.
3. A simple skincare routine. Cleanse, moisturise and protect. See a beginner routine.
4. A flattering haircut and good grooming. Brows, beard, nails and hair do a lot of work. See grooming brows and beard.
5. Clothes that fit. Fit matters more than brand.
6. Strength training and activity. The WHO advises 150 to 300 minutes of moderate activity a week plus muscle-strengthening on two or more days (Bull et al., 2020).
7. Diet quality. In a small six-week study, eating more fruit and vegetables shifted skin colour in ways others rated as healthier (Whitehead et al., 2012). The evidence is limited.
8. Healthy body weight. See body fat and facial definition.
9. Dental care. Clean, healthy teeth and gums, plus orthodontic advice if you want it.
10. Posture and body language. See posture and presence.

Change from these is gradual and individual, and we cannot promise a size of effect. Most are low-cost and low-risk.

Myths worth dropping

What is dangerous

Some trends cause lasting harm. This list is deliberately about what to avoid, not how to do it.

• Bone smashing and self-inflicted facial trauma. Fractures, nerve damage and infection are real outcomes.
• Steroids, SARMs, unregulated hormones and peptides. They carry serious health risks and some are illegal without a prescription. Speak to a doctor.
• Crash diets and dehydration cuts. They are hard to sustain and can harm health.
• DIY fillers, thread lifts and injectables. Unsterile technique and wrong placement can cause serious harm.
• At-home microneedling with long needles or dermarolling aggressively. It can spread infection and scar.
• Extreme or repeated surgery chasing a number. Results can be irreversible and may not resolve the underlying dissatisfaction.
• Unregulated medical tourism. Check qualifications, facilities and aftercare before any procedure.

Considering professional treatments

Some people choose cosmetic dermatology, orthodontics or surgery. That is a legitimate personal decision when handled well. Look for:

• Practitioners who are licensed and verifiable in your region.
• A clinic that explains risks, alternatives and recovery without pressure.
• Realistic photos of results, with consistent lighting, not heavily edited.
• A cooling-off period. Avoid deciding in a hurry or on a discount deadline.
• A willingness to say no. Good clinicians sometimes decline treatment.

Ask yourself what you hope will change. Procedures can alter features, but they seldom change how you feel about yourself on their own.

Protecting your mental health

Spending hours on rating threads, comparing numbers and checking mirrors can feed anxiety. It is worth keeping an eye on warning signs.

• You spend hours each day thinking about perceived flaws.
• You avoid social situations or photos because of how you look.
• Reassurance never lasts.
• You are considering risky or painful procedures out of desperation.

These can be signs of body dysmorphic disorder or related anxiety and depression, and nothing to be ashamed of. Social media use is linked with greater body image concerns, with comparing your looks to others a likely driver, though most studies are correlational (Fardouly & Vartanian, 2016). Talk to a GP or mental health professional. If you are in crisis, contact your local emergency services or a crisis line.

A healthier way to use tools

Use data as a mirror, not a judge

Apps that measure the face can be useful if they are honest about uncertainty and focus on things you can change. LookFlex measures proportions on your device, shows a margin for every reading, and ties each finding to a practical step such as skincare, grooming or posture. It does not give a verdict on your worth, and it will not recommend risky shortcuts.

If you want to try it, start a free scan on your iPhone, read your result as one input and act on the parts that you can influence. Our guides on face shape and facial symmetry explain why the numbers should be held lightly.