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Blake, Wm. Albion Rose. 1795.

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Young men around the world are turning to techniques like bone smashing and chin extensions in hopes of improving their looks. The trend, known as looksmaxxing, has gone incredibly viral on apps like TikTok, promoting the belief that all men have untapped potential.

The trend emphasizes facial structure, such as the gap between the eyes, canthal tilt (the angles of the eyes), and mewing (a tongue exercise that improves the shape of the jaw). Some acolytes go so far as to promote surgical procedures, arguing that for many men “it’s over” unless they artificially change their appearance.

One follower of the movement, James, told The Guardian that he became hooked on the trend, saying “the ultimate goal is to improve your SMV,” or Sexual Market Value.

“I was learning about problems I hadn’t even noticed,” he said. “I had a short face and a short chin, my nose was too wide, my eyes were too far apart, my hairline was too high … You don’t see a lot of these things until someone else points them out and then you can’t stop seeing them.”

Concerns arise about the trend’s tendency to amplify insecurities, with professionals warning against extreme measures and the pursuit of unrealistic beauty standards.