‘Looksmaxxing’ is exacerbating the youth mental health crisis, psychologists say

In its mildest form, looksmax social media creators tell teen boys to wash their faces; in its most extreme, they tell boys to regularly pummel their jaws to induce micro fractures, get surgery, and take steroids. Social media algorithms tend to amplify this content. — Unsplash

After Dillon Latham’s girlfriend dumped him during their junior year of high school, the then-17-year-old decided to invest in his appearance.

He began spending hours daily in the gym, applying homemade skincare concoctions to his face like beef tallow moisturiser, and permed his hair to give it a tousled mop look. He says he felt and looked better.