112: Masculinity and image: the Looksmaxxing hashtag that boys follow but parents don't see

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What we see on TikTok often starts on message boards in fringe groups then spills over into the mainstream. This is true of the Looksmaxxing social media trend that's been gaining more and more currency among teen boys.

The goal of looksmaxxing is to meet a set of criteria for physical attractiveness, with a focus on the eyes, jawline, and physique and the ultimate currency is SMV, or Sexual Market Value.

There are some really positive elements to the trend, but its originated in incel groups so there can be a dark underbelly that it's worth us parents knowing about, as Mike Nicholson https://www.progressivemasculinity.co.uk/is well aware. 

SOME KEY INFLUENCERS:
Kareem Shami - syrianpsycho
Dillon Latham

NETFLIX DOCUMENTARY:
Open Wide

PODCAST:
LOOKSMAXXING for the modern male (attitude, skin & hair routine, clothes, mewing, jawsize)

APPS MENTIONED:
UMAX
LOOSKMAX AI

MEWING: 

The Mews are a father and son team of orthodontists from the UK who began to market their techniques on YouTube. 

The basic principles of mewing include:

1. Tongue Position: Keeping the tongue flat against the roof of the mouth, rather than letting it rest on the bottom of the mouth.
2. Posture: Maintaining good overall posture, which is thought to support proper oral and facial alignment.
3. Breathing: Encouraging nasal breathing rather than mouth breathing, which can affect facial structure over time.

When to seek help: from medical news today
Your son is...

• spending prolonged periods of time or repeatedly checking appearance in the mirror
• feelings of dissatisfaction or distress toward aspects of appearance that may interfere with everyday life
• spending prolonged periods of time worrying about or thinking negative thoughts about appearance
• persistent feelings of hopelessness, guilt, worthlessness, anxiety, sadness, or shame
• becoming irritable more easily
• feeling tired or low in energy
• difficulty getting to sleep, staying asleep, or sleeping too much
• feeling restless and having difficulty concentrating
• having thoughts about death or suicide

https://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2024/feb/15/from-bone-smashing-to-chin-extensions-how-looksmaxxing-is-reshaping-young-mens-faces

https://fortune.com/2024/07/01/looksmaxxing-apps-rate-teen-boys-faces-mental-health/

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I don't have medical training so please seek the advice of a specialist if you're not coping.

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