The plasmonic properties of gold nanostructures are directly correlated with their dimensions, shape and composition. A diverse range of shapes have been demonstrated in the literature with a tuneable localized surface plasmon resonance from visible to near infrared wavelengths. Excitation of this plasmon band can induce photothermal (PT) processes to trigger molecular release from the surfaces of these nanostructures. This process is, however, known to induce reshaping and destabilization of gold nanostructures leading to their aggregation. Literature reports multiple mechanisms for this shape induced transformation, but lacks a detailed understanding of the correlation between each mechanism. One goal of our studies is to assess these mechanisms as a function of surface chemistry and composition to better understand and control response of the nanostructures to PT processes. This aspect of our studies seeks to identify correlations between changes in the plasmonic properties of the nanostructures and simultaneous changes to their size and shape. In these studies, different mechanisms of photoinduced reshaping are correlated to surface chemistry of the nanostructures, such as those stabilized with a bilayer containing cetyltrimethylammonium bromide (CTAB) either with or without addition of 5-bromosalicylic acid (5BrSA). Reshaping of plasmonic nanostructures following PT processes also depends on their initial shape, dimensions and composition. These results could guide the design of plasmonic nanostructures with an increased stability for use in PT processes, such as a controlled release on command of therapeutic payloads.