Why women are becoming like AI avatars: a US trend that has gained popularity among Trump's entourage

A shiny forehead, hyper-volume cheeks, a perfectly clear chin line and lips that seem to be stretched like a string. In the USA, this appearance has been called "Mar-a-Lago face" – a new aesthetic style that has already managed to turn into a visual "uniform" for some of Donald Trump's supporters. This is not just a fashion for Botox. This is a whole social, aesthetic and gender phenomenon that is actively discussed in Western media.

And what about in Ukraine? LIGA.Life analyzes the trend together with Honored Doctor of Ukraine, plastic surgeon Dmytro Slosser.

What is "Mar-a-Lago face" and why it's not about beauty

— In Western media, "Mar-a-Lago face" is called the new aesthetic of Donald Trump supporters. How would you describe this new trend in plastic surgery?

— The so-called "Mar-a-Lago face" in the USA is associated with the image of a "successful white woman over 50" who does not hide her interventions, but, on the contrary, flaunts them. This "aesthetic style" is formed as a result of excessive use of fillers, botulinum toxin and aggressive facelifts with minimal consideration of the anatomical features of the face and age-related changes.

The result is a "mask-like" face with hyper-volume cheeks, a fixed forehead, a sharply defined jaw, and a tense lip line. It's a superficial imitation of youth, but not always convincing, the surgeon comments.

This aesthetic is more demonstrative than individualistic. It is more about the desire to emphasize status and power, rather than graceful aging or harmonization of features. In my practice, I follow an adaptive approach, where each intervention emphasizes the unique features of a person, rather than depersonalizing them according to fashion.

— Why do some people consciously choose an unnatural appearance?

— The need for unnatural beauty often has a psychological basis. For some, it is a way to declare themselves, for others, it is an attempt to compensate for internal discomfort. Some women try to use their appearance as a tool of influence or self-affirmation. This sometimes starts with hair coloring and ends with a series of aesthetic interventions.

The desire to undergo multiple plastic surgeries, especially without a clear medical or harmonious aesthetic need, may indicate the presence of dysmorphophobia. This is a psychoemotional condition in which a person focuses excessively on perceived or minor flaws in appearance.

In such situations, the responsible surgeon is obliged to recognize the psychological request and refer the person for consultation with a mental health specialist. Aesthetic medicine should help, not exacerbate, the internal conflict.

Ukrainian context: from "frozen" face to natural beauty

— To what extent is a similar trend felt in Ukraine?

— In Ukraine, aesthetics similar to the "Mar-a-Lago face" exist, but it is not widespread. It can be observed in certain circles – among public figures, premium segment patients who seek to obtain "noticeable" results.

In general, the elements of an artificial image – self-tanning, hyper-correction, "frozen" features – are no longer aesthetically attractive in the eyes of the modern Ukrainian patient.

Today, the culture of surgery in Ukraine is increasingly moving towards naturalness, delicacy, and individuality. In addition, in the media space, you can see that women are massively starting to get rid of breast implants, and among my patients, almost every patient turns to me with a desire to get breasts that are proportional to the body in order to increase their self-confidence.

— How is the demand for beauty changing in Ukrainian realities?

—I often hear from patients the following phrases: "so that it looks natural," "so that it's not noticeable, but felt," "so that it feels like I just had a good rest." These are not random phrases – they are markers of the transformation of the aesthetic request.

If previously patients applied with a clear desire to "change themselves," today they increasingly want to remain themselves, but in an updated version — with a soft outline, natural facial expressions, and without the feeling of a "made-up face."

This indicates a shift from an orientation towards external approval to a search for inner comfort, self-acceptance, and harmonization of traits without undue attention from others.

For example, a patient in her 40s previously came to me with a desire to "refresh" her face. After the consultation, I suggested a weekend facelift, the rehabilitation after which lasts literally a few days. After the final consultation, she said a phrase that for me confirmed the right approach – "No one noticed the changes, but everyone says that I look very good. And I really feel better."

AI avatars and the dangers of beauty ideals

— Do you observe that modern aesthetics are beginning to resemble AI avatars?

— There are definitely patients who bring in references that are similar to those created with the help of artificial intelligence. For me, this is already the first sign that achieving the desired result may not be easy.

Images generated by neural networks are increasingly becoming the "standard" for patients. But this is a dangerous illusion.

I recently conducted such an experiment on my social media, where I compared the results of my plastic surgeries with those that I suggested artificial intelligence perform. The audience's opinions were divided, but a significant part of my patients still prefer real results. That is why we always explain to patients: expectations should be realistic.

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When the surgeon says "no": responsibility in the world of trends

— Have you ever had a patient come in with a reference that looked overly "artificial"?

—People bring images of stars, models, often edited in special editors. But I explain that sometimes it is simply impossible to achieve the same look due to anatomical features – the shape of the nose, the structure of tissues, age-related changes. My task is not to repeat the picture, but to achieve a result that will be aesthetically justified, healthy and realistic.

There are situations when I deliberately refuse surgery. For example, there was a patient – a woman of about 70 years old – who had a pronounced Barbie doll image: pink hair, sparkles on her face, etc. But such an idealized perception of herself could lead to even greater internal conflict. And I decided not to be a part of this process.

Unification of beauty = unification of personality

— What risks do you see in popularizing such "uniform" beauty?

The standardization of beauty is no longer just a fashion. It's about a norm that is oppressive.

— It can change people’s ideas about normality, distort their self-perception, and cause aesthetic anxiety. We’re already seeing this in patients who can’t accept their natural face after a long life with filters or excessive interventions. As a surgeon, I try to always talk about balance, not about copying trends.

How to avoid trends and stay ahead of the curve

— What advice would you give to people who, under the pressure of trends, want to radically change their appearance?

— Radical changes are always stressful. Not all people are psychologically prepared for the fact that after the operation they may not recognize themselves. I always recommend that patients honestly answer the question: "Am I changing for myself or for someone else?" Changes should be based on acceptance, not denial of oneself.

Mar-a-Lago face is not just about appearance. It is a kind of indicator of social and psychological processes. And although this trend is not yet widespread in Ukraine, it has become another reason to think: what kind of beauty are we creating – authentic or fake?