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The Internet’s Obsession with Aesthetics
The internet is currently flooded with aesthetics terminology, largely driven by a trend known as “looksmaxxing.” At its core, this concept revolves around optimizing one’s physical appearance. While the desire to look and feel better is a standard aspect of self-care, the online culture surrounding it has generated a confusing vocabulary. Navigating these terms requires separating safe, clinical treatments from unverified internet fads.
The Glossary of Maxxing
The terminology has been segmented into distinct categories that often mirror the aesthetic industry’s service offerings. Here is a breakdown of the most common terms:
Softmaxxing
This refers to noninvasive, accessible aesthetic improvements. Softmaxxing involves everyday self-care routines such as fitness, skincare, hygiene, and grooming.
Skinmaxxing
A major offshoot focused entirely on dermatological health. Achieving clear skin frequently provides a foundational improvement to overall appearance.
Facemaxxing
This encompasses regimens aimed at facial harmony, including skincare routines, facial exercises, and professional dermatological treatments.
Jawmaxxing
Methods directed at achieving a highly defined jawline and enhancing facial structure.
Hardmaxxing
This describes invasive medical or surgical procedures to alter an individual’s appearance, requiring significant investment and consultation with qualified professionals.
The Danger of Extremes
While pursuing facial harmony is common, certain internet trends present severe health risks. For example, “bonesmashing” is an extreme online trend that claims to change facial bone structure by causing repeated trauma to areas like the cheeks, jawline, or chin. Medical professionals strongly advise against these highly dangerous and unproven practices. Achieving lasting aesthetic improvements relies on safe, clinically validated methods rather than extreme online fads.
A Clinical Approach to Facial Harmony
For individuals interested in safe, professional cosmetic enhancements, expert clinical guidance is essential. In my practice, I focus on a conservative approach to aesthetic medicine. Patients frequently report that their primary goal is to look refreshed, not altered. For example, patients visiting our Miami clinic for delicate treatments, such as undereye fillers, consistently highlight the importance of a gentle touch and a painless experience to achieve results that look entirely natural.
Achieving this balance requires specialized care. For patients seeking structural enhancements, we utilize the BussoLyft, a proprietary, trademarked facial sculpting procedure designed to deliver lasting structure and a firmer look without surgical intervention. When combined with neuromodulators like Botox and Dysport, or structural support from PDO threads, patients achieve noticeable yet entirely natural enhancements safely.
Conclusion
Whether you are exploring targeted skincare routines or minimally invasive treatments, a consultation with a highly credentialed professional is often the best path forward. Dr. Busso provides expert cosmetic dermatology services in Miami, Florida, and Beverly Hills, California, helping patients reach their aesthetic goals through proven clinical techniques.
About the Author: Dr. Mariano Busso is a board-certified cosmetic dermatologist with over 30 years of clinical experience. He has served on the FDA advisory panel, received a JAAD presidential endorsement, and developed the trademarked BussoLyft procedure. He provides expert cosmetic dermatology services to patients at his clinics in Coconut Grove, Miami, Florida, and Beverly Hills, California.
Last reviewed: May 2026 by Dr. Mariano Busso, MD, FAAD.