5 Cosmetic Procedures Selena Gomez Has Been Accused Of (And The One She Actually Admitted To)
The question of "Did Selena Gomez have plastic surgery?" has become one of the most persistent and highly searched celebrity rumors of the last decade. Her dramatic shifts in appearance over the years—from her Disney Channel days to her current status as a global superstar and entrepreneur—have fueled endless speculation across social media platforms, with fans and critics alike scrutinizing every red carpet photo and public outing. This intense focus, which she has publicly addressed as recently as July 2024, often ignores the significant health struggles the star has faced, which play a critical role in her evolving look.
In December 2025, the debate remains a hot topic, but the facts are clear: the Only Murders in the Building star has vehemently denied undergoing any major surgical procedures, or "going under the knife." However, she has been open about one specific cosmetic treatment, drawing a clear line between surgical enhancement and non-invasive maintenance. To truly understand the speculation, one must look beyond the rumors to her official statements, her medical history, and the specific procedures experts believe she may have considered.
Selena Gomez: A Brief Biography and Profile
Selena Marie Gomez is an American actress, singer, and businesswoman who has cultivated a multi-faceted career spanning over two decades. Born on July 22, 1992, in Grand Prairie, Texas, she was named after the iconic Tejano singer Selena Quintanilla-Pérez. Her early life in the spotlight began with a two-year run on the children's show Barney & Friends (2002–2004).
Her breakthrough came with the Disney Channel series Wizards of Waverly Place (2007–2012), where she starred as Alex Russo. This role launched her into the teen idol stratosphere, leading to a successful music career with her band, Selena Gomez & the Scene, and later as a solo artist with hits like "Come & Get It," "Hands to Myself," and "Lose You to Love Me."
Beyond entertainment, Gomez is a successful entrepreneur, founding the makeup brand Rare Beauty, which has been widely praised for its mental health advocacy and inclusive product range. Since 2021, she has starred in the critically acclaimed Hulu series Only Murders in the Building. Throughout her career, she has been an outspoken advocate for mental health and body positivity, often referencing her personal battles with anxiety, depression, and the autoimmune disease Lupus.
- Full Name: Selena Marie Gomez
- Born: July 22, 1992 (Age 33 in 2025)
- Birthplace: Grand Prairie, Texas, U.S.
- Occupations: Actress, Singer, Producer, Businesswoman
- Notable Works: Wizards of Waverly Place, Spring Breakers, Only Murders in the Building, Albums Stars Dance and Revival.
- Major Health Issues: Lupus, Kidney Transplant (2017), Bipolar Disorder.
The Official Record: What Selena Gomez Has Admitted To
In the face of relentless cosmetic surgery rumors, Selena Gomez has maintained a consistent stance: she has not had plastic surgery. However, she has been transparent about one non-invasive procedure, which is often mistakenly grouped with surgical enhancements.
The One Confirmed Procedure: Botox
Selena Gomez has admitted to getting Botox injections. This admission is significant because it draws a line between surgical alteration and preventative or maintenance cosmetic treatments. Botox, a neurotoxin, is used to temporarily paralyze facial muscles, smoothing out fine lines and wrinkles, particularly on the forehead and around the eyes.
Her openness about this procedure serves as a counter-narrative to the more extreme rumors, suggesting that while she engages in cosmetic maintenance, she has avoided the more permanent and invasive procedures that the public speculates about. In a comment on TikTok, she directly addressed and shut down speculation about going "under the knife," stating that she has not had cosmetic surgery.
The Crucial Context: How Lupus and Medication Affect Appearance
Any discussion about Selena Gomez's changing appearance is incomplete without acknowledging her ongoing battle with Lupus and the necessary medical treatments she undergoes.
Lupus is a chronic autoimmune disease that can affect various body parts, including the skin, joints, and organs. In 2017, Gomez received a kidney transplant due to complications from Lupus.
Corticosteroids and Facial Swelling
One of the most common and visible side effects of treating Lupus is the use of corticosteroid medications (like prednisone). These powerful drugs are essential for managing inflammation and preventing flare-ups, but they have a well-known side effect: significant changes in body and facial shape.
- "Moon Face": Corticosteroids often cause the face to appear rounder and fuller, a condition clinically referred to as "moon face." This is due to fluid retention and fat redistribution.
- Weight Fluctuation: The medication can also lead to overall weight gain or changes in metabolism, causing her weight and body shape to visibly fluctuate over short periods.
Gomez has spoken out about the judgment she faces regarding her weight, pointing out that her changes are directly related to her health and medication. This medical context provides a compelling, non-cosmetic explanation for many of the facial fullness and contour changes that fans often attribute to fillers or implants.
The 5 Most Persistent Plastic Surgery Rumors
Despite her denials and the medical explanations, speculation about specific surgical and non-surgical enhancements continues to circulate. These rumors often stem from comparing photos across different periods of her life, ignoring natural aging, weight changes, and makeup techniques.
1. Rhinoplasty (Nose Job)
The rumor of a nose job is one of the oldest and most frequent. Critics suggest her nose appears slimmer and more refined in recent years, particularly at the tip and bridge. However, professional makeup artists can achieve dramatic slimming and contouring effects using techniques like contouring powder and highlighting, which can easily create the illusion of a narrower nose without surgery. There is no solid evidence or confirmation of a surgical rhinoplasty.
2. Lip Fillers
Changes in the fullness of her lips have led to widespread speculation about lip fillers. Her lips, particularly the upper lip, sometimes appear plumper than they did in her early career. While lip fillers are a non-surgical procedure and an incredibly common celebrity enhancement, Selena Gomez has never confirmed receiving them. The difference in appearance can also be attributed to temporary factors like lip liner, lip plumpers, or simple photo angle and lighting.
3. Cheek Fillers or Implants
The most dramatic accusations involve cheek fillers or even cheek implants, with some observers suggesting her mid-face appears significantly more defined and lifted. This speculation often spikes when her face is at its fullest, which, as previously discussed, is a known side effect of her Lupus medication. The "moon face" caused by corticosteroids mimics the look of excessive cheek filler, making this a classic case of misdiagnosing a medical side effect as a cosmetic procedure.
4. Blepharoplasty (Eyelid Surgery) or Brow Lift
Rumors also suggest she may have had an upper blepharoplasty (eyelid surgery) or a brow lift to open up her eye area and give her a more "foxy" or lifted look. This is often linked to the general trend of "fox eye" procedures. Like other surgical rumors, there is no public evidence to support this claim. Changes in the appearance of the eyes can also be achieved through non-surgical means like thread lifts, or simply by the application of strategic eyeliner and false lashes.
5. Chin and Jawline Contouring (Fillers or Implant)
Some critics have pointed to a more defined jawline and chin, suggesting the use of chin filler or a chin implant to achieve a more V-shaped face. While jawline and chin contouring with dermal fillers (non-surgical) is a popular procedure, her overall facial structure changes are more likely a combination of natural maturation, weight fluctuation related to her health, and expert makeup contouring, which is a hallmark of professional red carpet looks.
Conclusion: The Verdict on Selena Gomez’s Changing Look
The truth behind the "did Selena Gomez have plastic surgery" question is nuanced, sitting squarely between public speculation and medical reality. Selena Gomez has publicly and repeatedly denied having any surgical plastic surgery, or "going under the knife." She has, however, admitted to receiving Botox for cosmetic maintenance.
The majority of the dramatic facial changes that fuel the rumors—the perceived fullness in the cheeks, the overall roundness, and the weight fluctuations—are most credibly explained by her ongoing battle with Lupus and the necessary use of corticosteroid medications. These essential drugs cause fluid retention and fat redistribution that visually mimic the effects of procedures like cheek fillers, offering a compassionate and medically sound explanation that the public often overlooks. Ultimately, the evolution of Selena Gomez’s appearance is a complex interplay of natural aging, non-surgical maintenance, and the profound effects of a chronic health condition.
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