{"id":535937,"date":"2026-04-17T12:26:10","date_gmt":"2026-04-17T12:26:10","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/535937\/"},"modified":"2026-04-17T12:26:10","modified_gmt":"2026-04-17T12:26:10","slug":"doctors-warn-looksmaxxing-trend-risks-body-dysmorphia-and-serious-injury","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/535937\/","title":{"rendered":"Doctors warn ‘looksmaxxing’ trend risks body dysmorphia and serious injury"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

NEWYou can now listen to Fox News articles!\n <\/p>\n

“Clavicular,” the controversial “looksmaxxing” influencer<\/a>, was reportedly hospitalized due to a suspected overdose Tuesday night during a livestream.\u00a0<\/p>\n

The Miami content creator, 20, posted a photo of his bloody face and commented on X Wednesday.<\/p>\n

“Just got home, that was brutal. All of the substances are just [to] cope, trying to feel neurotypical while being in public, but obviously, that isn\u2019t a real solution. The worst part of tonight was my face descending from the life support mask.”<\/p>\n

WHAT IS BUTT MICRONEEDLING? BEHIND THE ‘DESPERATE’ PROCEDURE KELLY RIPA TRIED<\/a><\/p>\n

The influencer, whose real name is Braden Peters, was hospitalized after his livestream was cut short when he began slurring his words and repeating phrases, according to reports.<\/p>\n

What is ‘looksmaxxing’ and why is it trending?<\/p>\n

Looksmaxxing is a social media trend focused on enhancing appearance, ranging from basic skin care<\/a> to extreme practices like hitting cheekbones with hammers to alter facial structure.<\/p>\n

\"Girl <\/p>\n

Looksmaxxing is a social media trend focused on enhancing appearance, ranging from basic skin care to extreme practices like hitting cheekbones with hammers to alter facial structure. (iStock)<\/p>\n

The potentially dangerous trend has been popular with young males, plastic surgeons told Fox News Digital.<\/p>\n

“In my practice, we’ve seen it primarily in young men in their 20s,” Dr. Josef Hadeed, a plastic surgeon in Beverly Hills, California, told Fox News Digital. “We have had a few women, but I’d say by and large, it’s been mostly men who have come into our office wanting these various looksmaxxing procedures<\/a>.”<\/p>\n

THE REAL REASON FOR SAGGING JOWLS, AND WHAT WILL AND WON’T HELP, ACCORDING TO AN EXPERT<\/a><\/p>\n

“Patients are increasingly seeking to align how they look with how they feel,” he said. “The difference today is that the tools and technologies available to achieve that have never been more advanced or more accessible.”<\/p>\n

Looksmaxxing can be divided into two categories: “softmaxxing” and “hardmaxxing,” according to Hadeed. Softmaxxing is a more simple, non-invasive approach to improving one\u2019s looks.<\/p>\n

\"Handsome <\/p>\n

The potentially dangerous trend has been popular with young males, plastic surgeons told Fox News Digital. (iStock)<\/p>\n

“It’s really like self-care or grooming \u2013 things like going to the gym<\/a> on a regular basis to try to improve your body composition, or using various skincare products to try to improve your skin texture,” the surgeon said.<\/p>\n

Softmaxxing techniques \u2013 which can also include teeth whitening<\/a>, beard grooming, or upgrading a wardrobe or hairstyle \u2013 are not usually a problem, according to Hadeed. Hardmaxxing, which involves more extreme measures, can have riskier consequences.<\/p>\n

“Even minimally invasive treatments carry real risks if performed incorrectly or by an untrained provider.”<\/p>\n

Some individuals in the looksmaxxing online community do things like “bone smashing,” Hadeed said.<\/p>\n

“[It\u2019s] literally what it sounds like, where you smash the bones to change the facial structure, and that is obviously not recommended because it can lead to potential complications,” he warned.<\/p>\n

“Once you cross that line and start getting into more extreme things, I feel like that’s where most plastic surgeons should draw the line.”<\/p>\n

CLICK HERE FOR MORE HEALTH STORIES<\/a><\/p>\n

Dr. C. Bob Basu, president of the American Society of Plastic Surgeons, said the biggest safety risks with the looksmaxxing trend<\/a> come from pursuing treatments without proper medical guidance.<\/p>\n

\"A <\/p>\n

Looksmaxxing can be divided into two categories: “softmaxxing” and “hardmaxxing.” Softmaxxing is a more simple, non-invasive simple approach to improving one\u2019s looks. (iStock)<\/p>\n

“Social media can make procedures seem easy or risk-free, but even minimally invasive treatments carry real risks if performed incorrectly or by an untrained provider,” the Houston-based plastic surgeon told Fox News Digital.<\/p>\n

To achieve quality results, it is critical to be treated by a board-certified plastic surgeon<\/a> who understands both safety and anatomy, Basu advised.<\/p>\n

What\u2019s driving the trend?<\/p>\n

The convergence of social media, constant digital visibility and “unprecedented access to aesthetic treatments<\/a>” \u2013 along with a cultural shift toward optimizing wellness and longevity \u2013 are fueling the looksmaxxing trend, according to Basu.<\/p>\n

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Hadeed agreed, noting that social media puts pressure on individuals to look perfect.<\/p>\n

“People are constantly comparing themselves to other people online,” he told Fox News Digital. “It can quickly develop into body dysmorphia<\/a> for a lot of people, and that’s when they start pursuing more and more procedures that they don’t need by any stretch \u2013 it’s kind of like keeping up with the Joneses.”<\/p>\n

\"Adult <\/p>\n

Both plastic surgeons emphasized the importance of taking a responsible approach when considering the looksmaxxing trend. (iStock)<\/p>\n

Dr. Nancy Frye, a professor in the psychology department at Long Island University in Brookville, New York, also weighed in on what\u2019s driving the looksmaxxing craze.<\/p>\n

“We figure out how attractive we might be by comparing what we see in ourselves to what we see in others,” she told Fox News Digital. “This social comparison<\/a> is especially problematic with social media and filters, as people compare themselves to filtered versions of others.”<\/p>\n

Healthier approach<\/p>\n

While experts warn of the risks of looksmaxxing, they say a thoughtful approach can have some benefits, including pride in one\u2019s appearance and health.<\/p>\n

CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD THE FOX NEWS APP<\/a><\/p>\n

The most tangible benefits are associated with the softmaxxing approach, which includes following a fitness routine, eating a clean diet<\/a> and following regular skin care routines, according to Hadeed.<\/p>\n

“The goal should always be thoughtful self-improvement, not perfection.”<\/p>\n

With healthy guidance<\/a>, aesthetic care can “enhance confidence and self-esteem, helping patients feel more aligned with their sense of self,” Basu added.<\/p>\n

Both plastic surgeons emphasized the importance of taking a responsible approach when considering the looksmaxxing trend.<\/p>\n

TEST YOURSELF WITH OUR LATEST LIFESTYLE QUIZ<\/a><\/p>\n

“The goal should always be thoughtful self-improvement<\/a>, not perfection,” Basu said. “It should never be about looking like someone else or a filtered version of yourself, but rather about becoming a confident, natural and authentic version of you.”<\/p>\n

Anyone considering this trend should consult a licensed healthcare professional rather than relying on advice from social media influencers, the doctors advised.<\/p>\n

Amy McGorry is a contributing health writer for Fox News Digital. Follow her on Twitter @amymcgorry<\/a>.<\/p>\n