What is Looksmaxxing, the TikTok trend for men?

Looksmaxxing is a trend on TikTok that’s wildly popular–the hashtag has 3.1 billion views. It’s basically young men sharing tips with other young men to look better–which seems simple enough. But where did this trend come from? And what skincare and medspa treatments should you know about if you’re a guy who wants to look your best? Keep reading to learn how to enhance your features without spending hours falling down a TikTok rabbit hole. 

What is looksmaxxing? 

This is siimply a weird name for something that’s been part of human nature for a long time. While vanity, beauty, and personal care are typically thought of as feminine pursuits, most men want to look good too–that’s why the magazines Esquire and GQ exist, right? Anytime you run some pomade through your hair, trim your beard, or wear a teeth whitening strip, you’re already engaging in “looksmaxxing” to a degree. While the word “looksmaxxing” has its origins in video game culture and Reddit, a lot of the advice on looksmaxxing TikTok is just reasonable self-care, like: brush your teeth after drinking coffee so they don’t get stained, or wear SPF to prevent aging. These more lifestyle-oriented tips are known as “softmaxxing,” whereas surgical enhancements like rhinoplasty and chin implants are known as “hardmaxxing.” 

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Skincare tips for men

The basic cornerstones of good skincare are actually pretty similar for both men and women–and you can tell your girlfriend that to justify using her $200 moisturizer, but we wouldn’t recommend it. Every guy should cleanse, moisturize, and protect his skin with SPF every day. Men have higher androgen levels, which means that acne is a common concern. Keeping your face clean and moisturized is your first line of defense against breakouts. 

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But what if you want to go further, we recommend Vitamin C, niacinamide, and Vitamin A/retinol. They’re all active skincare ingredients that help fight signs of aging. Incorporating a couple of “actives” in your routine a few times a week is a simple but powerful way to enhance your natural handsomeness. 

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Also, you don’t have to use “skincare for men.” You absolutely can–but if you are looking for a specific kind of product and it comes from a brand traditionally marketed to women, it’s no big deal. The only person who’s gonna know is you, after all. 

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What are the top looksmaxxing treatments for men?

If you want to explore more advanced ways to look your best, there are plenty of non-invasive or minimally invasive treatments to take you to the next level. These are some of the most popular advanced aesthetics treatments for men.

Non surgical nose job: You don’t need to go under the knife if you want to make certain adjustments to your nose. With dermal fillers, you can sculpt the nose to smooth out the appearance of a bump, or to lift and define the tip of the nose. It won’t make your nose smaller, but a non surgical nose job can make your nose look more proportional and refined. Plus, it’s much lower-risk and less invasive than actual surgery. 

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Chin or jaw filler: Another use of filler for men is in the chin or jawline. Fillers allow you to sculpt your features and enhance what you already have. Men commonly choose to augment their chins or jaw, for a more chiseled look. Fillers are a low risk, temporary way to change how you look–they last about a year on average. 

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Botox: Guys don’t like wrinkles, either. Botox helps with wrinkles because it temporarily relaxes the muscles that cause them. This is a tried-and-true treatment with an excellent safety record, and it’s a good option if you want to dip your toe into the world of advanced aesthetics, because the treatment is quick, and you start seeing results after about five to seven days. 

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Emsculpt Neo: A lot of “looksmaxxing” videos focus on gym habits. We’re going to let you in on a secret: you can tone your body in the medspa and it takes much less time. Emsculpt Neo is a non-invasive body sculpting treatment that combines radiofrequency with electric microcurrents to trigger powerful muscle contractions and reduce fat at the same time. One treatment session is equivalent to about 10,000 sit-ups. So if you’ve been putting your time in the gym but can’t get the sculpted abs you want, Emsculpt Neo can help to tone specific areas.

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Hydrafacial: If you want great skin, consistency is key. And even if you have a good skincare routine, blackheads, breakouts, and skin texture can still persist. The Hydrafacial uses patented vortex fusion technology to extract the pollution, oil, and dirt out of your pores, like a tiny, supercharged vacuum. Your treatment provider then applies hydrating serums and treatments. It’s suitable for all skin types, and is gentle even if your skin is easily irritated. Getting a Hydrafacial once a month is good practice for maintaining clear, even-toned skin. 

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You might be wondering…where do I get these looksmaxxing treatments done? 

The answer is: the medspa! And don’t worry–not all medspas are super girly. A lot of them are holistic wellness clinics, offering advanced aesthetic treatments alongside other therapies for the mind and body. In other words, they’re not like beauty salons–they’re the next frontier in health, longevity, and wellness. You can find the top medspas in your area on the Upkeep app. Upkeep helps you find, book, and pay for medspa treatments from your smartphone with just a few taps. You can compare availability and pick an appointment that works with your busy schedule. Download Upkeep today on App Store or Google Play to take looksmaxxing to the next level.