Zac Efron’s interview with Entertainment Weekly this week reignited debate over whether or not the actor has had plastic surgery.
Fans joked that Efron, 36, had a “Chad filter” on his face, referring to his noticeably wider jaw and stockier facial features.
The Baywatch star caused a stir in 2021 when he debuted his dramatic new look, which he said was due to a bad fall that “shattered his jaw.”
But that fall happened in 2013, and Efron appeared in several films — including 2017’s “Baywatch” — looking his usual baby-faced self.
Hollywood cosmetic surgeon Dr. Gary Motykie said he doesn’t buy Efron’s explanation and believes the actor achieved his dramatic looks through numerous cosmetic surgeries as well as the use of muscle-building drugs.
2018 and 2023: Zac is pictured above in 2018 at the Golden Globe Awards in Los Angeles and in 2023 during an interview for Entertainment Weekly
Zac showed off his dramatic new facial look last year. His lips appear smoother and his chin more defined
Dr. Motykie told : “I’m curious about his jaw. “There’s definitely a difference,” he said.
“I think in this new footage it appears to have been enlarged in the lower jaw area and the chin is a bit more pronounced.”
“So there is a possibility that he may have done further fillings and enlargements in this area.”
“I’m a bit suspicious overall, but the whole face is a bit puffy too – so it’s hard to say.”
He also said that the star probably used Botox, adding: “When I look at his new face, starting with the eyes, he has changed that stern, masculine, hunting look to a soft, surprised look in his eyes.”
“This can be caused by Botox on the forehead.”
He added: “Also the face is puffier and fuller and he has lost that chiseled look and is now more of a feminine, oval, softer face.”
That suggests filler in the face and cheeks, he said.
Dr. Motykie said it was also possible that Zac had lip fillers because his lips seemed to grow over time instead of shrinking as they usually do with age.
Dr. Motykie said his puffy appearance could also be due to testosterone replacement therapy, a type of anabolic steroid that can be legally prescribed by doctors.
Efron’s new face in 2021 sparked debate online about whether he had undergone plastic surgery
Zac Efron is pictured above filming Baywatch in 2017, wearing his classic look
He packed on muscle for his role in The Iron Claw, due out next month – which has led to speculation in some quarters that he used testosterone replacement therapy to pack on the pounds.
Dr. Motykie told : “Based on the pictures of him shirtless on the set of The Iron Claw, I’m extremely suspicious of testosterone use.”
“If Zac is using testosterone, it is entirely possible that he has developed something called TRT, or testosterone replacement therapy, moon face.”
“TRT moon face” is a side effect that involves water and sodium retention in the body and is characterized by puffiness and puffiness in the face.
“This phenomenon often occurs after prolonged or high-dose testosterone replacement therapy.”
Testosterone replacement therapy — used by nearly five million men in the U.S. — can cause imbalances in the levels of other hormones such as aldosterone, which helps regulate electrolyte levels in the body.
This imbalance can lead to fluid and water retention, which can cause puffiness and puffiness in the face.
“Moonface” is a possible side effect of TRT that causes the face to appear puffy, round, full, and puffy.
Doctors say it’s not harmful or painful, but it changes a person’s appearance and can take a toll on their mental health.
It is most commonly caused by prednisone, a steroid used to treat asthma, severe allergies and arthritis.
He was also seen above in a scene for High School Musical in 2008
But it can also be caused by TRT, hypothyroidism – when the thyroid produces too few hormones, leading to an imbalance – and Cushing’s syndrome, when the body produces or receives too much stress hormone cortisol.
Doctors say that if someone stops taking the medication that could be causing the condition, the swelling will go down over time.
Dr. Motykie suggested that Zac may have used testosterone replacement therapy
Dr. Motykie, who was also previously a professional bodybuilder, added: “If Zac has developed a “TRT moon face”, all hope is not lost!
“When testosterone therapy is discontinued, hormone levels in the body typically begin to return to normal, which may gradually reduce facial swelling and bloating.”
“However, the time frame for facial swelling reduction can vary from person to person, and some people may experience a longer period of swelling before a significant change is noticed.”
Comment on the star’s latest pictures in an interview Weekly entertainmentOne fan wrote: “Growth hormones ruined his jaw and lips.”
A second commented: “Oh he looks like the villain in Avengers Endgame” and a third said: “I always think there’s a Chad filter on his face geez.”
Although Efron has not commented on TRT use, he has dabbled in performance-enhancing drugs in the past.
In an interview with Men’s Health in 2022, Efron previously admitted to using Lasix – a powerful diuretic – to get his extremely lean body in Baywatch.
He has attributed his changed face to an accident in which he slipped on a pair of socks while running at home, sending his chin onto a granite fountain.
The star explained that he lost consciousness and when he woke up “his jawbone was hanging out of his face.”
He added: “It was funny.” It’s annoying. I almost died, but we’re fine.’
Dr. Motykie also said that ditching fat for roles can result in a much slimmer face in the future that has lost a lot of its baby fat.
To combat this, some may use fillers or fat injections to achieve a more youthful appearance, he said.
He suspected that the swelling could be due to surgery due to these treatments.
A spokesperson for Zac Efron has been contacted for comment.