Plastic surgeons in Washington DC are experiencing an unprecedented surge in requests for what has become known as the 'Mar-a-Lago face' - the distinctive puffy, artificially voluminous appearance favoured by prominent figures in the Trump administration.
The Political Aesthetic Taking Washington by Storm
Since January, cosmetic practitioners in the American capital have reported a significant increase in patients seeking the exaggerated features characterised by bee-stung lips, frozen brows and taut necks. This distinctive look has become associated with MAGA elite including Kristi Noem, Kimberly Guilfoyle, Laura Loomer and Matt Gaetz.
The trend represents a dramatic shift in aesthetic preferences among Washington's political class. Where previously patients sought subtle, natural-looking enhancements, many now specifically request procedures that are obvious and overdone. This marks a departure from the discreet approach that once dominated the capital's cosmetic surgery scene.
Surgeons Face Ethical Dilemmas
Dr Anita Kulkarni, a plastic surgeon practising in DC's West End neighbourhood, has noticed a distinct change in patient demands since the Trump administration's return to power. "Before this second Trump term, I just didn't see a lot of patients coming in making unreasonable requests," Kulkarni reveals.
The surgeon finds herself frequently having to refuse patients who already have visible lip filler but want additional volume. "I have to say: 'I cannot put any more in there safely,'" she explains. Patients often request more cheek or jawline filler, prompting Kulkarni to warn: "To my eye, if I put any more in there, you're going to cross over from looking like the best version of yourself to looking like Maleficent."
Dr Kelly Bolden, another DC-based plastic surgeon, confirms that some patients explicitly request the artificial appearance. "They come in and actually tell me that they like the artificial look. A couple of my patients have said those exact words to me," she notes.
The Techniques Behind the Trend
According to medical professionals, achieving the Mar-a-Lago face requires significant commitment to injectable treatments. Dr Bolden explains that the look is primarily accomplished through "overdone filler and Botox that gives them that mask-face type of appearance."
This trend emerges against a backdrop of rising popularity in minimally invasive procedures nationwide. The American Society of Plastic Surgeons reported that more than 28.5 million minimally invasive procedures were performed in 2024, with lip augmentation, dermal fillers and neuromodulator treatments like Botox ranking among the top five most popular procedures.
Political and Social Implications
The phenomenon extends beyond mere aesthetic preference, with some observers interpreting it as a form of political allegiance. The trend has become particularly visible through high-profile administration figures such as press secretary Karoline Leavitt and her deputy Anna Kelly, both 28 and consistently camera-ready.
Dr Troy Pittman, another DC plastic surgeon, notes that the trend isn't limited to women. Ninety-two percent of surgeons report treating male patients, with facelifts and sculpted jawlines being top requests. Male patients increasingly want to look "younger, more virile and masculine" like prominent MAGA figures.
However, not all practitioners are comfortable catering to this demand. Some surgeons outright refuse requests for the exaggerated look, while others attempt to steer patients toward more balanced outcomes. Dr Pittman warns against what he calls "the trap" of branded looks: "Whenever people come in asking for a branded look, that can lead to either very unrealistic expectations or artificial results."
The Temporary Nature of Political Trends
Despite its current popularity, medical professionals emphasise that the Mar-a-Lago face, like all cosmetic trends, has an expiration date. "Nothing in plastic surgery is permanent," Dr Bolden reminds patients. "Filler goes away. Most people will say you get a good eight to ten years out of a facelift. Everything has a lifespan."
As political administrations change, so too do aesthetic preferences. The current surge in requests for this distinctive look may prove to be as temporary as the political fortunes it appears to symbolise for many of its adherents.
