Plastic surgeons in Washington DC have reported a surge in requests for the so-called ‘Mar-a-Lago face’, a look characterised by overly smooth skin, voluminous features, and obvious cosmetic enhancements. The trend, associated with figures such as Kristi Noem and Matt Gaetz, has become more prevalent since the start of the second Trump administration, according to a report by Axios.
Dr Anita Kulkarni, a plastic surgeon in DC’s West End, said she has fielded half a dozen or more such requests since the inauguration. Patients often ask for more lip, cheek, or jawline filler, despite already having visible work done. Kulkarni noted that she sometimes has to refuse, warning patients they risk looking like ‘Maleficent’ if they proceed.
The shift has been attributed to an influx of transplants from south Florida, where Trump’s Mar-a-Lago club is located, and a perceived political deference to Trump’s beauty standards. Dr Troy Pittman, another DC-based surgeon, observed that people are more open about their procedures, and the new administration has contributed to a ‘glamming up’ of Washington.
However, not all surgeons are seeing the trend. Dr Kelly Bolden, who treats many patients of colour, said her younger clients in their 20s and 30s have explicitly expressed a preference for the artificial look. The American Society of Plastic Surgeons reported over 28.5 million minimally invasive procedures in 2024, with lip augmentation and dermal fillers among the most popular.
