Maximize your look: The toxic arc of self-improvement

Social media has become deeply embedded in the daily lives of young people, shaping not only how they communicate but how they see themselves.

Platforms centred around image and short-form content have intensified exposure to curated and often unrealistic representations of beauty.

As a result, social media plays a significant role in influencing body image and self-perception.

While these platforms can promote self-expression and community, they can be a major contributor to insecurities, constant comparison, and the rise of harmful trends such as looksmaxxing.

So what actually is looksmaxing?

Looksmaxxing is defined as “practices, especially among young men online, to enhance their physical appearance. These practices range in intensity, from everyday skincare to cosmetic surgery.”

What often begins as healthy habits — going to the gym, improving skin-care routines, or building confidence — can gradually shift into a more intense and appearance-focused culture among gen Z and social media users. 

This shift can place excessive pressure on young people to constantly improve their appearance through rigid dieting, excessive exercise, and ongoing self-comparison. Unlike traditional media, social platforms allow for continuous, real-time exposure to the lives and appearances of others.

This makes it easy for users to constantly compare themselves to celebrities, influencers, and even peers. Over time, this cycle of comparison can become harmful, shifting focus towards perceived flaws and away from personal strengths.

Social media further reinforces the cycle through likes, comments, and follower counts, which turn appearance into something that can be publicly judged and ranked. While receiving attention online can temporarily boost confidence, lack of engagement can cause the opposite effect. It can encourage individuals to rely on external validation to feel confident, rather than develop a stable sense of self-worth.

Although social media is not inherently harmful, looksmaxxing is one example of how certain online trends can negatively influence young people. Some individuals sell courses on how to “maximize your looks,” while others create platforms where users are rated and critiqued based on their appearance. While these spaces may claim to promote self-improvement, they can easily cross the line by reinforcing insecurity and preying on those already struggling with self-image.

It is important to take a step back and reflect on the media we consume. Although this is easier said than done, building self-awareness and confidence can help protect against harmful comparison culture. Genuine self-improvement should support mental well-being rather than reinforce self-criticism or insecurity.