Expert Offers Safer Glow Up Advice As Data Shows Dangerous Looksmaxxing Trends Sweep U.S

• New search data reveals California, Massachusetts and Colorado are the nation’s biggest looksmaxxing hotspots, with California recording 748,340 monthly looksmaxxing searches, more than any other state.
• Heightmaxxing, bone smashing and hairmaxxing are among the most disproportionately searched looksmaxxing techniques nationally, prompting longevity experts at Tmrw to reveal the lifestyle-based alternatives.

A longevity expert responds to new data underscoring the rise of some dangerous and often unregulated looksmaxxing across the US, urging Americans to choose safer, longer-lasting lifestyle changes that can offer effective results.

The advice comes about as a new study released by Tmrw, a leading longevity brand, analyzes online search volumes across all 50 US states, underpinning where hair transplants, peptides, fillers and even new social media techniques like bone smashing and mewing are most prominent.

Data collected in June 2026 reveals California leads the nation with 748,340 monthly looksmaxxing searches, with heightmaxxing the state’s top obsession, searched 82% more than the national average. Massachusetts ranks second with 129,150 monthly searches, disproportionately driven by bone smashing at 104% above the national average, while Colorado places third with 104,460 monthly searches, led by sleepmaxxing at 84% above the national average.

Dr. Clay Moss, MD, PM&R, Functional Medicine & Longevity, said: “I’d rather help people support the systems their body already has than override them with something risky. Techniques like bone smashing, or unregulated hormones and peptides bought online, promise a shortcut, but you’re gambling with your health for a result that usually doesn’t hold.”

“You can genuinely get clearer skin, support hair and muscle growth, and get your hormones working the way they’re supposed to, through daily habits that are actually backed by research and built to last. I get why the shortcuts are tempting. But a lot of them cost real money, don’t hold up, and some of them can do damage you can’t undo.”

Dr. Clay Moss, MD, PM&R, Functional Medicine & Longevity at Tmrw

The Top Looksmaxxing States in the USA

Using monthly online search volumes across 149 looksmaxxing-related terms, the data ranks the states where the trend has the deepest foothold, and reveals the specific technique each state searches for more than anywhere else in the country.

California’s ranking is driven by sheer volume: 748,340 monthly looksmaxxing searches statewide, with heightmaxxing standing out as the state’s most disproportionate search behaviour at 82% above the national online search average. Heightmaxxing can involve shoe insoles that add inches to your height, or even limb lengthening surgery.

Massachusetts shows a notable lean toward bone smashing, a dangerous DIY technique that involves applying mechanical pressure to facial bones in the belief it can reshape facial structure, searched 104% above the national average.

Nevada records the highest ‘Obsession Score’ of any state in the top ten, with hairmaxxing searched 141% above the national average, while Utah follows closely with hairmaxxing at 123% above the national average. Hairmaxxing can be attributed to hair transplants, hair installations and even topical hair growth treatments.

Florida, despite its reputation as a cosmetic surgery hotspot, ranks ninth, driven in part by skull and face pulling, a technique that has gained traction among Gen Z and Gen Alpha on social media. Facepulling is a dangerous looksmaxxing method that sees manipulation of bone shapes through extensive methods.

The Insecurities Driving America’s Looksmaxxing Obsession

Alongside active techniques, the data reveals the facial features and physical traits Americans are most self-conscious about, pointing to the specific insecurities pushing young people toward looksmaxxing in the first place.

General facial structure tops the insecurity rankings nationally with an average of 118,360 monthly searches, reflecting a growing preoccupation with bone structure, facial symmetry and geometry that looksmaxxing culture has made newly measurable and newly anxiety-inducing. Eye shape dominates three of the four entries, with fox, siren and doe eyes, canthal tilt and hunter eyes collectively generating over 186,000 monthly searches, suggesting that eye geometry has become one of the central fixations of the movement.

Skip the Shortcuts: Expert-Backed Glow Up Tips That Actually Work and Last

In response to the data, Dr. Clay Moss, MD, a Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation physician specializing in, Functional Medicine & Longevity, outlines three foundational habits that deliver real, lasting results without the risks associated with potentially dangerous and unregulated looksmaxxing techniques.

Support Your Gut for Clearer Skin and Stronger Hair

“A healthy gut microbiome plays a huge role in how well you absorb the nutrients your skin and hair actually need. When your gut is compromised, even a great diet can fall short, because absorption is inefficient. Supporting gut health through diet, probiotics, and daily consistency helps create the internal environment your skin and hair need to thrive from the inside out.”

Prioritize Sleep for Recovery and Appearance

“Sleep is when your body does its most important repair work. During deep sleep, growth hormone is released, collagen synthesis increases, and cellular repair accelerates. Chronic poor sleep elevates cortisol, which breaks down collagen, drives inflammation, and speeds up visible aging. Consistent sleep is one of the most powerful and most underrated tools you have for looking and feeling your best.”

Lift Weights: The Glow Up That Actually Compounds

“If I could get this generation to take one thing seriously, it would be lifting weights. It’s the actual way to build the physique people are chasing with steroids, plastic surgery, and shortcuts, and what it does for you goes well beyond the mirror.

“Your physical presence is one of the loudest signals you send before you ever open your mouth. Whether we admit it or not, people read a strong, capable body as evidence that you’re disciplined, driven, and someone who follows through. In that sense a good physique might be the best resume builder there is, because it’s proof of work you can’t fake, buy, or shortcut.

“And it happens to be one of the best things you can do for your long-term health. Lifting builds and preserves muscle, improves bone density, protects your metabolic health, and it’s one of the most well-researched interventions we have for healthy aging. It takes longer than a quick fix, but the results compound, and it carries none of the hormonal or cardiovascular risk that comes with the shortcuts.”

The States Rejecting Looksmaxxing, Embracing Au Natural

At the other end of the scale, the following states record the lowest monthly looksmaxxing search volumes in the country.

Mississippi records the lowest monthly looksmaxxing searches in the country at 29,790, a fraction of California’s 748,340. The bottom ten are predominantly Southern and Midwestern states, suggesting that looksmaxxing culture, while national in reach, remains heavily concentrated in coastal and urban markets.

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Media Contact

Clea Kanning at clea@studiohawk.com.au

Notes to Editors

To use this data, we kindly ask that data attribution include a link to www.drinktmrw.com. Thank you.

Disclaimer: This content is for educational and entertainment purposes only. It does not constitute medical, dermatological, or professional health advice, and is not intended to diagnose, treat, or prevent any condition. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional before making changes to your health or skincare routine.

Methodology

This study analyzed Google search volume data across all 50 US states for 149 looksmaxxing-related terms spanning subculture practices (mewing, bone smashing, mogging), cosmetic procedures (buccal fat removal, facial fillers, masseter botox), medical treatments (peptides, tretinoin, hair loss medications) and appearance-related products. Monthly search volumes were collected in June 2026. Data was normalized against state population figures sourced from World Population Review to produce searches per 1,000 residents, ensuring populous states are not ranked solely on volume. A Distinctiveness Score (Obsession Score) was used to identify which trends each state searches for disproportionately relative to the national average. The general looksmaxxing search term was excluded from trend rankings as it reflects category awareness rather than engagement with a specific technique. Several steroid and PED-related terms were not returned by the keyword tool and are therefore under-represented. Search volume reflects queries made, not confirmed actions taken. Raw data.

About Tmrw

Tmrw is a science-backed daily longevity health drink formulated to support healthspan and lifespan through one simple daily ritual. Designed to address the biological pathways associated with aging, Tmrw combines 88 science-backed ingredients in a single comprehensive formula, supporting cellular vitality, NAD+ production, mitochondrial function, gut microbiome balance, immune resilience and sustained daily energy. Naturally flavored from real fruit and berries, and free from gluten, artificial sweeteners and fillers, Tmrw is built for consistent, long-term daily use. Manufactured in New Zealand in GMP-certified and TGA-registered facilities, every batch is third-party tested and NSF Certified for Sport. Tmrw is available exclusively at www.drinktmrw.com.