looksmaxxing

noun

looks·​max·​xing ˈlu̇ks-ˌmak-siŋ 

variants or less commonly looksmaxing

slang

: the practice of taking one or more sometimes extreme or dangerous measures intended to increase one's physical attractiveness

… I know some people who are really serious about looksmaxxing avoid direct exposure to sunlight as much as possible, or totally give up alcohol or sugar, or they stay at a BMI of 18 …

—@BlueSkiesOverLondon, on Reddit

… connects … growing body dissatisfaction to the phenomenon of "looksmaxing", a trend in which young men in particular are encouraged to maximise their physical appearances.

—Kayla Olaya and Lauren Ironmonger

… another looksmaxxing technique … involves intentionally hitting bones—usually in the face, sometimes with a hammer—in order to create small injuries in the hope that the bone will grow back stronger and more pronounced.

—Frances Willick

looksmaxx

ˈlu̇ks-ˌmaks 

intransitive verb

looksmaxxed; looksmaxxing; looksmaxxes

slang

looksmaxxer noun

plural looksmaxxers

slang

Word History

Etymology

looks (look entry 2 sense 2b) + max (short for maximize) + -ing entry 1

First Known Use

2018, in the meaning defined above