Not just a trend: what you need to know about “Looksmaxxing”

“Ascend your looks to be a better version of yourself” is Looksmaxxing in a nutshell, but young men in the movement are using increasingly radical measures to improve their appearances, including extreme dieting and “bone-smashing” to achieve a very specific look. What is this trend that is attracting young men and making its way into mainstream conversation? And why should we watch for its influence on the young people in our lives? Our expert panel is Jamie Cohen, an associate professor of media studies at CUNY Queens College, and John Oliffe, a professor and Canada Research Chair in Men’s Health Promotion and the University of British Columbia.