Hollywood has seen countless cosmetic beauty trends over the years, but buccal fat removal continues to spark debate among fans who notice dramatic differences in celebrities’ appearances. Anya Taylor-Joy is the latest star to face speculation about the procedure after before-and-after photos of the actress went viral online, with some viewers pointing to her more sculpted facial features compared with her appearance years ago.
Buccal fat removal is an elective cosmetic surgery procedure that permanently reduces the buccal fat pads in the lower cheeks to create a slimmer, more contoured facial appearance.
The discussion began after an Instagram user shared side-by-side photos of the 30-year-old from 2016 and 2026, drawing attention to the apparent changes in her cheeks and overall facial structure.

Anya Taylor-Joy Sparks Buccal Fat Removal Speculation
The post quickly gained traction, generating more than 1K comments as users debated whether the actress’s changing appearance could be attributed to natural aging, weight loss or a possible cosmetic procedure. While some suggested that facial volume can decrease over time, others questioned whether age alone could explain the difference.
“She looked so beautiful before, sad,” one person commented.
Another pushed back against the speculation, writing, “You get that this happens naturally when women get older…..right? Also just general eating habits. If she looked like this at 20 it’d be different.” Someone else disagreed, responding, “She is still young, she hasn’t aged yet.”
Another commenter suggested that both weight loss and surgery could be factors, writing, “She probably lost weight and did get surgery, it doesn't just spontaneously disappear and Anya is still young enough to have her buccal fat. But even so it doesn't change the facial features like that.”
“She was like 26 when she had the surgery. It wasn't age,” another person claimed, while someone else added, “I liked her appearance more pre cheek removal.”
However, the Dior ambassador has not publicly confirmed undergoing buccal fat removal, and comparisons between photographs cannot establish whether someone has had cosmetic surgery.
Changes in weight, makeup, lighting, camera angles and natural facial development can all affect how a person looks in photographs.

Celebrities and Buccal Fat Removal Speculation
Chrissy Teigen is among the celebrities who have openly confirmed undergoing buccal fat removal. Many other stars, however, have faced speculation about the procedure without publicly confirming that they have had it.
Bella Hadid, Zoë Kravitz, Miley Cyrus, Angelina Jolie, Amelia Gray Hamlin, Demi Moore, Margot Robbie, and Jenna Ortega are among the celebrities whose facial features have prompted online discussions about possible buccal fat removal. Such claims remain speculation unless the individuals themselves confirm undergoing the procedure.

Jennifer Lawrence has also discussed the treatment, but she has not said that she has undergone buccal fat removal. In a September 2026 interview with Vogue, the Hunger Games star reportedly said she would “love” to have the procedure but avoids doing so because “everybody would know.”
As conversations about cosmetic procedures continue to circulate online, Taylor-Joy’s viral before-and-after photos have reignited a familiar debate: how much of a celebrity’s changing appearance can be attributed to natural changes over time, and how much is the result of cosmetic enhancements? Without confirmation from the actress, speculation about her appearance remains just that.

