Whenever Matt Gaetz takes the stage, he’s used to making headlines, but at the recent Republican National Convention, it wasn’t his speech that grabbed attention. Instead, it was his dramatically altered appearance sparking a flood of memes and speculation across social media. The Florida congressman’s noticeably taut, shiny, and sharply angled brows led many to wonder what, exactly, had happened to his face.
Comparisons came quickly, with observers likening Gaetz’s new look to everyone from the Real Housewives to cartoon vampires. Seeking a professional take, we reached out to board-certified dermatologist Dr. Corey L. Hartman for insight. While Dr. Hartman has not treated Gaetz, his analysis was clear: the culprit appears to be an “overly heavy hand and poor placement” of neuromodulators like Botox.
“There’s too much in the forehead and not enough to the sides, which causes the ‘Spock Eye’ effect that dramatic, pointed eyebrow,” Dr. Hartman explained. He also noted that the older injection techniques used in the vertical lines between Gaetz’s eyebrows may be pulling his brows down, contributing to a more severe expression than usual. In addition, Dr. Hartman observed bilateral lid ptosis, meaning Gaetz’s eyelids droop, likely a side effect from the poorly placed injections.
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The excessive use of neuromodulators has resulted in a tight, almost embossed look to Gaetz’s skin a telltale sign of over-treatment. Dr. Hartman also speculated there may be filler in Gaetz’s cheeks, which doesn’t look as dramatic, but ultimately, “you can’t get past the terrible toxin,” he said. The overall tautness of Gaetz’s skin may also suggest recent laser resurfacing or a chemical peel.
According to Dr. Hartman, the main issue is that whoever performed Gaetz’s injections failed to account for the different facial anatomy of men, simply increasing the amount of neuromodulators to cover a larger area and then injecting them poorly. “This is easy to do. Nuance is harder. It takes more skill to make it look like nothing was done,” he emphasized.
There’s nothing wrong with cosmetic treatments like Botox or fillers they’re popular for a reason, and many people use them to great effect. The lesson, according to Dr. Hartman and other experts, is the importance of choosing the right provider. Experience with male patients is crucial, as is doing your homework: read reviews, look at before-and-after photos, and, above all, get recommendations from people you trust. And, as Dr. Hartman jokes, “maybe don’t get your Botox at the Republican National Convention.”
