Zac Efron's facial transformation: Actor’s changing features amid jaw injury and cosmetic surgery rumors

Tracing Zac Efron's facial transformation over the years

Zac Efron has once again stoked controversy with his seemingly constantly evolving jawline amid circulating cosmetic surgery rumors because of his appearance in the recently released Netflix movie 'A Family Affair'. Zac's new film made its Netflix debut on Friday, July 12, but some fans were more interested in his ever-evolving look than the film itself. Now, renowned plastic surgeon Dr Mark Solomos told Daily Mail how the face of the former 'High School Musical' heart-throb kept transforming through the years.

2004: Young Zac Efron got his big break in the TV industry

The young Zac Efron got his big break in the TV industry in 2004. He was the childhood romantic who won everyone over with his button nose, rosy cheeks, and brilliant blue eyes. Zac didn't look anything like he does today; his features and jawline hadn't fully developed. Plastic surgeon Dr Mark Solomos remarked on Zac's early features: "As a young boy Zac appears to have more of an oval shaped face which is a combination of square and round."

2006: Zac Efron began to appear more like an average teenager

The teenage actor's distinctly youthful looks were still apparent in 2005. Zac began to solidify his position in show business and began to resemble a kind young man in 2006. He landed one of his biggest professional roles as Troy Bolton in 'High School Musical' because of his sly smile. Zac's chin grew less rounded and more prominent as he matured into his more masculine features.

2008: Zac Efron proved that his boyish appearance was gone

In 2007, Zac's once button nose began to take on the appearance of a Roman nose with a small bulbous tip, and his round chin as a child developed into a much stronger jawline. In 2008, he formally bid farewell to his childhood features with his stronger chin and slightly more prominent cheekbones.

2010: Zac Efron began to fill out his mature features

In 2010, Zac, at 22, Zac began to fill out his adult features, which were brought into sharp focus by the beard he began to sport around his slightly square jawline. Zac decided to change his hairdo to a wavy quiff in 2010 to showcase his more masculine features. Dr Mark Solomos said: "By 2010 Zac has matured and his face has filled out somewhat accordingly... His jawline is perhaps more angular but not due to any interventions- he's simply "grown into his face."

2012: Zac Efron featured the perfect combination of good looks

Zac had the perfect combination of good looks in 2012 with a slightly squared-off, rounded jawline, a blended chin, and a completely formed straight nose. Despite being somewhat noticeable, his cheekbones were primarily concealed by his fuller cheeks. Zac's facial characteristics might have changed significantly as he entered adulthood, but he was not prepared for the significant shift that was about to occur.

2014: Zac Efron developed a much more angular jawline

Zac's absence from work in 2013 went overlooked, but years later, he revealed that he "nearly died." The actor said in an interview with Men's Health Magazine that he crashed into a granite fountain at home after tripping over a sock while running. Although his jawline wasn't as prominent as it is now, it was sharp and became much more defined and angular in 2014. Zac's nose bridge was much wider and flatter, but his chin still blended in nicely with the lower portion of his face.

2016: Zac Efron looked completely different with blond highlights

Zac's appearance began to progressively shift through 2015. Zac's look in 2016 was radically changed from any of his previous years, and it wasn't simply because his jaw was growing thicker. His nose was more pointed, and he was experimenting with highlights in his blonde hair. At the age of 28, Zac's chin was also growing stronger and began to show less fading.

2018: Zac Efron's appearance changed drastically with a stubble and mustache

In comparison to the previous year, Zac's appearance in 2018 was different as he appeared much more mature. The rising action star looked amazing with his slightly longer mustache and scruffy beard that complemented his jawline. Keeping with his natural brunette hair,  Zac appeared more like the person he was in 2018 than in previous years when he had experienced significant changes in his facial transformation.

2020: Zac Efron sported oversized mustache and grizzly beard

Zac's face continued to transform throughout 2020, choosing to sport an overgrown mustache and heavy grizzly beard. With a fashionable skin fade at age 32, the actor appeared significantly more full-featured than he did years before. His cheekbones were hollowed out and much fuller than they had been in his youth. With his softer-looking features and broader cheekbones, Zac's squared jawline was concealed by his facial hair.

2022: Zac Efron addressed plastic surgery rumors

Zac was initially the target of plastic surgery allegations in 2021, but he didn't respond to the rumors until 2022. He claimed that until his mother called to inquire about whether he had undergone surgery, he was unaware that fans were so enamored with his modified jawline. Zac revealed in October 2022 that the reason he appeared so different was because of his 2013 injury. He addressed his amazing alteration by saying that after his accident, the masseter muscles on the inside of his jaw and face "compensated" by growing larger.

2024: Zac Efron was struck with another wave of speculation over his look in 'A Family Affair'

Viewers quickly pointed out how different the 36-year-old actor now looks, pointing out that he has a notably larger jaw and stockier facial features in the romantic comedy, which co-stars Nicole Kidman and Joey King. Concluding his analysis of Zac's changing features, Solomos stated: "I think he's had that [issues mentioned from 2022] reversed or removed as the jaw we can see has lost its angular shape and the face is more rounded."