Plastic surgeons in Washington, DC, have reported a surge in requests for exaggerated, artificial-looking cosmetic procedures, dubbed 'Mar-a-Lago face' after the style favoured by some Trump allies. According to a report from Axios, surgeons say more clients are asking for obvious, overdone results rather than subtle enhancements.
The puffy, voluminous features—seen on figures such as Kristi Noem, Kimberly Guilfoyle and Matt Gaetz—have been likened to sleep paralysis demons and drag queens. Dr Anita Kulkarni, a DC surgeon, says she now has to turn away patients who ask for more filler than is safe. 'I have to say no in a way I have never seen before,' she told the outlet, warning that excessive filler can lead to a 'Maleficent' appearance.
Dr Troy Pittman, also based in DC, noted that people are more open about discussing their procedures. 'In a town like DC, there is this glamming up of Washington with this new administration, so it’s become more prevalent,' he said. Dr Kelly Bolden, medical director of Cultura Dermatology, said younger clients in their 20s and 30s specifically ask for the artificial look.
The trend comes amid a broader boom in cosmetic procedures: the American Society of Plastic Surgeons reported over 28.5 million minimally invasive treatments in 2024, with lip fillers and Botox among the most popular. However, some surgeons are pushing back against the exaggerated aesthetic, sticking to more natural outcomes.
