Overview
This lecture explains various popular "looks-maxing" methods claimed to improve facial and body attractiveness, analyzing the scientific support (or lack thereof) behind each method.
Mewing and Related Face Methods
- Mewing is placing the tongue on the roof of the mouth and swallowing to create a vacuum, which encourages nasal breathing and correct posture.
- Scientific evidence shows nasal breathing and good posture support facial development, but mewing is not magical.
- Thumb pulling (pressing the upper palate with thumbs) claims to improve midface projection but lacks scientific support.
- Psycho pushing (pushing on cheekbones) aims to stimulate bone growth but lacks evidence and likely insufficient force.
- Bone smashing (hitting facial bones) is based on Wolff's Law but is unsupported and dangerous.
Skin, Beard, and Eyebrow Methods
- Carrot maxing involves eating beta-carotene rich foods like carrots for a slight tan, but overconsumption can cause an orange hue.
- Ice maxing (icing the face) can reduce puffiness and inflammation due to blood vessel constriction.
- Eyebrow maxing uses oils, micro-needling, and spacing adjustments to increase eyebrow thickness and symmetry, improving perceived attractiveness.
- Beard maxing focuses on growing and styling beards for enhanced jawline and masculinity; minoxidil and micro-needling can accelerate growth.
Height and Body Methods
- Height maxing involves optimizing childhood nutrition (protein, fat, calcium) to reach genetic height potential.
- Masai jumping (jumping exercises) is linked to height in Masai men but lacks direct evidence for stimulating bone growth in this context.
- Gym maxing builds a lean, athletic body, increasing attractiveness and supporting facial aesthetics via hormone boosts.
- Lean maxing reduces body fat percentage (optimal: 12–14%) to define facial features.
Additional Methods
- Potassium maxing balances sodium and reduces water retention, making the face appear leaner; balance with sodium is crucial.
- Towel method (biting a wet towel) strengthens jaw muscles but does not reduce facial fat and may cause asymmetry.
- Hunter maxing (eye exercises for "hunter eyes") lacks evidence and may increase wrinkles due to stretching thin eye skin.
- Sleep maxing improves appearance by facilitating growth hormone release, skin repair, and reducing facial puffiness.
Key Terms & Definitions
- Mewing — Resting tongue on palate to improve facial structure via posture and nasal breathing.
- Beta-carotene — A plant pigment in carrots that can tint the skin.
- Wolff’s Law — Bone adapts to mechanical force, central to bone growth theories.
- Minoxidil — Hair growth solution often used off-label for facial hair.
- Hunter eyes — Deep-set eyes with little upper eyelid exposure, considered attractive.
Action Items / Next Steps
- Research scientific evidence before attempting new looks-maxing trends.
- Prioritize nutrition, sleep, and exercise for proven improvements.
- Avoid risky or unsupported methods that lack scientific validation.