Dermatologist explains how Botox can improve your appearance
Dr. Mamina, a triple board certified dermatologist, discusses Botox and explains its potential benefits.
Think MAGA is just a political movement? Think again. Lately, MAGA aesthetics have been a hot topic online, especially when it comes to beauty enhancements, with viral terms like “MAGA makeover” and “Mar-a-Lago face” popping up.
The cheeky term “Mar-a-Lago face” is used online to refer to “an aesthetic characterized by full lips, high cheekbones, sparkling white teeth, a strong jawline, and defined eyebrows with minimal facial movement,” explains Dr. Summer Jabbar, a dermatologist at Washington Square Dermatology in New York City.
Online users posted videos pointing out several prominent Republicans who they claim embody this look. And the Guardian recently reported that cosmetic surgeons are increasingly fielding requests from patients inspired by the likes of Kristi Noem, Kimberly Guilfoyle, Laura Loomer and Matt Gaetz.
But “this is a bipartisan issue,” joked Dr. Anthony Rossi, a dermatologic surgeon. He added that men and women alike have been increasingly going for over-the-top looks for some time now.
This not-so-subtle look is also known as the “Instagram face,” “iPhone face,” or “Real Housewives face,” Rossi explained. Rossi and Jaber think this look may be fading away as beauty trends gain traction.
Explaining “The Face of Mar-a-Lago” or “MAGA Makeover”
How do you achieve this look? It typically involves a combination of Botox and “some kind of filler that smoothes wrinkles and adds volume,” but Rossi says she’s not sure how intentional some of the end result is.
“I don’t think they go there for this type of look,” he says. “I feel like some male politicians are extremely aggressive.”
Rossi emphasizes that this style has spread to many people, not just political circles. “It’s pervasive throughout pop culture,” he says. “This echo chamber exists not only in politics but also in the aesthetic world.”
Geographic factors may also be a factor, Jaber added. For example, he says, what patients are looking for in New York – more natural and subtle results are common – may be different than their aesthetic goals in Miami or Los Angeles.
Mar-a-Lago’s face collapse?
Despite their popularity, there seems to be some negative publicity regarding their appearance these days.
Last month, in a New York Times article, President Trump’s ally-turned-foe, former Congresswoman Marjorie Taylor Greene, criticized what she called “the sexualization of the MAGA Mar-A-Logo.”
“I have two daughters and I was always uncomfortable with the way they puffed out their lips and enlarged their breasts,” she told the Times. “I believe how women in leadership express themselves sends a message to young women.”
Jaber says he’s seen the tide change before, citing Kylie Jenner’s once-revered lips as an example. “While big, full, ‘Kylie’ lips used to be popular, young women are now generally opting for less full lips,” she says. Recently, some influencers and celebrities have announced that they are ditching Botox and moving away from fillers. Ariana Grande, Courteney Cox, Lisa Rinna, Olivia Culpo and more have recently talked about returning to a more natural look.
However, as Rossi points out, it’s hard to know if they’re actually going filler-free or if they’re just choosing a more subtle amount.
Key treatment trends in 2026
So, what does the new year have in store? What Rossi predicts is a shift toward what he calls a “quiet aesthetic.”
It involves many of the same treatments, but in a different, milder way.
One method on the rise? Lasers, which can improve the skin itself, are “growing in popularity tremendously,” Rossi says.
“This is one of the great things about skin, it has the tendency and ability to actually rejuvenate, and we can use it in conjunction with laser resurfacing and collagen-mimicking lasers to help with that,” he explains.
At Jaber, we’re also seeing the rise of more natural “tweaks.”
“In 2026, the field of aesthetics will move away from ‘looking done’ and focus more on invisible work,” he says.
