A dangerous online trend called 'looksmaxxing' is driving young men to extreme lengths, including taking hammers to their own faces, to achieve sharper features. Fox News’ Brian Kilmeade spoke with experts to break down the phenomenon.
The trend splits into 'softmaxxing' - like elaborate skin care - and 'hardmaxxing', which includes steroids, plastic surgery, and 'bone smashing'. Dr. Claire Wolinsky, a board-certified dermatologist, warned that bone smashing has no scientific basis. 'There's no way that by destroying a bone, it gets thicker or better, or your jawline's going to look improved,' she said.
Family therapist Tom Kersting questioned the mental health drivers, asking whether it's 'narcissistic behavior' or a 'search of some form of external gratification from strangers online.' He emphasized that true self-esteem is not measured by likes or followers.
Dr. Wolinsky added that social media is pushing this trend, with young men looking online rather than to physicians for advice. While some aspects like skin care are benign, she expressed alarm over hardmaxxing behaviors that 'concern me as a mom and also as a physician.'
Kersting believes the rise of looksmaxxing reflects a broader societal crisis, as young males feel 'pushed aside and forgotten about,' turning to internet influencers for guidance.