If you’ve spent more than five minutes on TikTok or X (formerly Twitter) lately, you’ve probably seen the side-by-sides. One photo shows a soft-featured Disney star from Stuck in the Middle, and the other shows the razor-sharp, gothic icon we saw at the Wednesday Season 2 premiere. The internet has basically convinced itself that Jenna Ortega plastic surgery before and after results are a proven fact.
But is it? Honestly, the "expert" opinions are all over the place.
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Some fans are mourning her "baby face," while others are screaming that it’s just the power of bleached eyebrows and aggressive contouring. It’s a mess. When a star hits 22 and suddenly looks like a high-fashion runway model, people jump to the most expensive conclusion. Usually, that involves a scalpel.
The Buccal Fat Removal Debate (The Big One)
The most persistent rumor involves buccal fat removal. You know the look—those hollowed-out cheeks that make a face look "snatched" and mature.
At the Wednesday Season 2 premieres in London and Paris, Jenna’s face looked undeniably different. Her cheekbones were popping, and there was a distinct shadow under her mid-face that wasn't there in 2021. Dr. Gizem Seymenoglu, a medical aesthetician, told Longevita that the volume loss looks quite apparent, suggesting that weight loss alone wouldn't create such a hollowed-out effect.
But wait.
Other experts, like plastic surgeon Dr. Matthew Nykiel, aren’t so sure. He’s pointed out that Jenna has a naturally strong bone structure. When you move from 15 to 22, your face elongates. You lose that "puppy fat."
Think about it. Did you look the same at 22 as you did at 16? Probably not. For Jenna, her "before" is a child, and her "after" is a woman who has reportedly been "mewing" (a tongue-posture technique) and clenching her jaw for photos.
Why the "After" Looks So Dramatic
- The Eyebrow Factor: In mid-2025, Jenna started rocking bleached eyebrows. It sounds small, but removing the frame of the face makes the cheekbones look five times more prominent.
- Masseter Hypertrophy: Some analysts think her jawline looks wider not because of implants, but because of stress-related teeth grinding (bruxism) which bulks up the jaw muscles.
- Gothic Glam: Her makeup team, led by artists like Nirvana Jalalvand, often uses "carved" techniques. They aren't just applying blush; they are literally painting shadows into her face.
Did She Get a Nose Job or Fillers?
Beyond the cheeks, people love to scrutinize the Jenna Ortega plastic surgery before and after transition for signs of a rhinoplasty.
If you look at high-res photos from her early Scream days versus now, the bridge of her nose looks pretty much identical. There’s no "ski slope" or pinched tip that usually screams "I went to Beverly Hills." Most clinical analysts agree that her nose is just her nose.
Lip fillers are a different story.
In 2024, some surgeons noted her lips looked slightly fuller in certain Instagram selfies. But here’s the thing: lip liner is a powerful tool. Jenna often wears dark, 90s-style liners that overline the Cupid’s bow. When she’s seen in candid, "no-makeup" pap shots, that "filler" look usually vanishes.
The Pressure of the "Wednesday" Aesthetic
We have to talk about the "Tim Burton effect." Jenna isn't just an actress; she's a brand. The aesthetic of Wednesday demands a certain gaunt, skeletal elegance.
There’s a real concern in the industry about young stars undergoing permanent surgeries to fit a temporary "vibe." Buccal fat removal is permanent. Once that fat is gone, it’s gone. As we age, we naturally lose facial volume. Surgeons often warn that getting this done at 21 can make you look 60 by the time you're 40.
Jenna herself has been vocal about social media being "mental junk food." She hasn't confirmed any work, and honestly, she doesn't owe anyone a medical record.
What This Means for You
If you're looking at Jenna's "after" photos and feeling like your own face is too round, take a breath. Lighting, professional makeup, and the natural transition from adolescence to adulthood do 90% of the work.
Actionable Insights for the Curious
- Test the Look: Before considering surgery, try "contouring for your face shape." Use a cool-toned cream to mimic that hollowed-out look.
- Wait It Out: Most surgeons recommend waiting until at least 25 before touching facial fat pads, as your face structure is still settling.
- Check the Angles: Look at Jenna’s videos versus her red carpet stills. In motion, her face often looks much fuller than in the "snapped" photos where she’s posing.
The "Jenna Ortega face" is the latest trend, but trends fade. Her talent, fortunately, seems like it's here to stay regardless of whether she's had a little help from a surgeon or just a really good highlighter.
If you're following celebrity transformations, the best thing you can do is look at "before and after" photos through the lens of aging and artistry rather than just surgery. Most of what we see is a combination of DNA, time, and a very expensive glam squad.
Next Step: You might want to research the specific makeup techniques used for the Wednesday Season 2 press tour to see how "bone-structure" looks are created without needles.