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Growing out a beard can dramatically change a man's look, but shaving one off can be even more of a shock, revealing the dreaded post-shave baby face. Some say that the right choice of beard styles make men's faces look stronger and more masculine, while others argue that it all comes down to bone structure. We're definitely not evolutionary scientists here at Bored Panda, but we've compiled some photos of guys before and after grabbing the razor, and we'd like to know which one you'd rather ride off into the sunset with.

Beards certainly have their place in this world, and they do a lot more than just aiding in human mating rituals. Bearded men, especially with thick facial hair, can boast about having a healthy balance of bacteria in their stubbles that are actually good in keeping skin healthy, according to a 2014 study published in the Journal of Hospital Infection. Male hospital workers in the US who were in the habit of shaving beards had higher amounts of harmful bacteria present on their faces than their bearded counterparts, possibly due to the damage skin often sustains after a shave. The youthful glow of a smooth look is worth a few nicks, though, and shaving has also been proven to scrape away dead skin cells.

It's hard to say whether having a beard is healthier or not, but it's undeniable that men with beards are either a hit or miss in aesthetics. Check out a whole list of before-and-after shaving comparisons below, and just try to believe that it's the same person in each photo.

#1

Before And After Beard

Before And After Beard

kadirdurmush Report

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John L
Community Member
7 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

You have a very neat and orderly face. The beard destroys that neat look.

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    #2

    Kyle Amor Shaved His Head And Face To Raise Money

    Kyle Amor Shaved His Head And Face To Raise Money

    kylejamor87 , kylejamor87 Report

    #3

    After 3 Years Of The Beard Life My Buddy Matt Shaved His Beard

    After 3 Years Of The Beard Life My Buddy Matt Shaved His Beard

    TaborScott Report

    #5

    I Decided To Shave My Beard And In Doing So, I Unlocked Instant Baby Face

    I Decided To Shave My Beard And In Doing So, I Unlocked Instant Baby Face

    SockemRockem Report

    #7

    Shave My Beard The Wife Said. You Will Look Young Again She Said

    Shave My Beard The Wife Said. You Will Look Young Again She Said

    emallumlum Report

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    L and P
    Community Member
    7 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    uhm, yeah, somehow you really do - says a dude who has massive troubles with growing a decent beard...

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    #9

    I Shaved My 9 Month Old Beard For Prostate Cancer Awareness

    I Shaved My 9 Month Old Beard For Prostate Cancer Awareness

    unitedairforce1 Report

    #10

    Shave In Half

    Shave In Half

    nikokx Report

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    John L
    Community Member
    7 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Now, if we could just get it to grow like that.....on top. :(

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    #11

    8 Months Sober, Down 17kg (38ibs) And Finally Shaved Off My Neck Beard

    8 Months Sober, Down 17kg (38ibs) And Finally Shaved Off My Neck Beard

    JohnDeCaux Report

    #13

    Mike Donated His Hair And Luckily Has A Pretty Good Mug Underneath All That Scruff

    Mike Donated His Hair And Luckily Has A Pretty Good Mug Underneath All That Scruff

    barberha Report

    #14

    Harley Morenstein Before And After Shaving His Beard

    Harley Morenstein Before And After Shaving His Beard

    newmediarockstars.com Report

    #15

    Roy Asotasi Shaved His Beard To Raise Money

    Roy Asotasi Shaved His Beard To Raise Money

    rasotasi_ Report

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    #19

    Little Difference

    Little Difference

    joel.rocha_ Report

    #20

    Bye Bye To My First Beard, Lol Feel So Naked

    Bye Bye To My First Beard, Lol Feel So Naked

    bobby_nv_yyc Report

    #21

    Daughter's Reaction To Dad's Clean Shaved Face. She Does Not Approve

    Daughter's Reaction To Dad's Clean Shaved Face. She Does Not Approve

    Larry Menezes Report

    #23

    Decided To Donate 10" Of My Hair To Locks Of Love. Shaved The Beard While I Was At It

    Decided To Donate 10" Of My Hair To Locks Of Love. Shaved The Beard While I Was At It

    pizzaboy314 Report

    #24

    Shaving My Chance To Be In Star Wars VII Off My Face

    Shaving My Chance To Be In Star Wars VII Off My Face

    misterob Report

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    #25

    Transformation

    Transformation

    barberha.com Report

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    John L
    Community Member
    7 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    He looks great either way, because of his happy eyes and relaxed nature. I'm not a 'beard person' but his beard is almost perfect on him. Looks like a friendly college professor. He's a winner.

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    #26

    I Used To Get A Lot Of Attention - From Men

    I Used To Get A Lot Of Attention - From Men

    walesonline.co.uk Report

    #29

    Hair-B-Gone

    Hair-B-Gone

    highndmighty Report

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    Emre
    Community Member
    7 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    i recommend you long hair and short beard. You would look awesome bro

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    #31

    No More Beard

    No More Beard

    barberha.com Report

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    Barbara Jones
    Community Member
    7 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Handsome either way, but better without the beard. What a great jawline!

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    #33

    Half/Half

    Half/Half

    mathiasve Report

    #34

    Shaved My Beard, Feeling Incredibly Naked, Self Conscious And Full Of Regret

    Shaved My Beard, Feeling Incredibly Naked, Self Conscious And Full Of Regret

    TheCorrosionKid Report

    #35

    Shouldn't Have Done That... I Should Not Have Done That

    Shouldn't Have Done That... I Should Not Have Done That

    Daffke Report

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    John L
    Community Member
    7 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    A genuine happy face would solve all your problems, with or without the beard.

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    #39

    A Friend Of Mine Shaved His Year-Long Beard And Recorded "The Process"

    A Friend Of Mine Shaved His Year-Long Beard And Recorded "The Process"

    HackNorton Report

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    Lara B.
    Community Member
    7 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    From Zach Galifianakis to Hulk Hogan to Hitler to babyface 🙈

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    #40

    Thought My C Pap Mask Would Fit Better If I Shaved But It Still.. Just As Bad

    Thought My C Pap Mask Would Fit Better If I Shaved But It Still.. Just As Bad

    zechar_the_wrecker Report

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    #42

    This Is My Brother After No Shave November

    This Is My Brother After No Shave November

    ladylucid Report

    #44

    It Was Time For The Beard To Go, Compulsory Before And After Shot, And Shameless Selfie. Till Next Time

    It Was Time For The Beard To Go, Compulsory Before And After Shot, And Shameless Selfie. Till Next Time

    WalkerHebborn Report

    #45

    At The Request Of My Wife, Daughter, And General Comments Of Me "Looking My Age," I Took Part In Transformation Tuesday

    At The Request Of My Wife, Daughter, And General Comments Of Me "Looking My Age," I Took Part In Transformation Tuesday

    themikehatton Report

    #47

    My Wife Calls Herself A “Beard-Widow.” I Guess I’m Not The Only One Missing My Beardy Face

    My Wife Calls Herself A “Beard-Widow.” I Guess I’m Not The Only One Missing My Beardy Face

    Lucas Gobert Report

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    #49

    This Is My Plight Every Year For Movember... Yes, Thats A Soul Patch.

    This Is My Plight Every Year For Movember... Yes, Thats A Soul Patch.

    Report

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    #52

    Shaving Mistake. I’m Growing My Beard Back And Will Wear It Proudly

    Shaving Mistake. I’m Growing My Beard Back And Will Wear It Proudly

    Justin Shaddix Report

    #53

    Difference In Face After 120 Lbs Lost And A Shave

    Difference In Face After 120 Lbs Lost And A Shave

    aro204 Report

    #54

    What A Difference A Beard Made On Me! What The Hell, I'll Grow It Back

    What A Difference A Beard Made On Me! What The Hell, I'll Grow It Back

    kotasean Report

    #56

    9 Month Affair

    9 Month Affair

    nigel Report

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    #62

    Fun With Shaving... It's Off!

    Fun With Shaving... It's Off!

    darkeyedwhite Report

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    sunnyrei82
    Community Member
    7 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    From drunk jokester at the bar, to "hello, I'm Matt, your personal gym trainer".

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    #64

    This Is About What Happened To Me When I Shaved. I've Grown It Back Since Though

    This Is About What Happened To Me When I Shaved. I've Grown It Back Since Though

    Kornichon Report

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    Barbara Jones
    Community Member
    7 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    aww, no! keep shaving, why hide that handsome face under all that hair?

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    #65

    Before & After

    Before & After

    ggandgrowing Report

    #66

    Half Man, Half Beard

    Half Man, Half Beard

    alex.leonard.ie Report

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    Petra Rola Cole
    Community Member
    7 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I think a short beard and kinda long hair would be the perfect combination for you. You're handsome anyway.

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    #68

    Here Is A Very Rare, Once A Year Glimpse Of What's Known As... My Face

    Here Is A Very Rare, Once A Year Glimpse Of What's Known As... My Face

    dhonikal Report

    #69

    Today Mood

    Today Mood

    alb.gab Report

    #70

    Had Some Fun Today

    Had Some Fun Today

    mysugarfreeyear Report

    #71

    Before And After. The Playoff Beard Is Gone And So Are Years From My Face. Until Next Season

    Before And After. The Playoff Beard Is Gone And So Are Years From My Face. Until Next Season

    El_Murpho Report

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    #73

    Start The Summer Off With A Fresh Shave

    Start The Summer Off With A Fresh Shave

    xexhair Report

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    Petra Rola Cole
    Community Member
    7 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    With the beard he looked like a Viking warrior, without it looks like one of Santa's elves.

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    #75

    When You Do Something And Instantly Regret It

    When You Do Something And Instantly Regret It

    lellis_7 Report

    #77

    Before And After

    Before And After

    vikkie099 Report

    #78

    After 6 Months I Had Enough ... Grew It Back Though ;)

    After 6 Months I Had Enough ... Grew It Back Though ;)

    Report

    #79

    Now I Can Smile Again

    Now I Can Smile Again

    mickypalomeque Report

    #80

    So I Shaved My Beard After Growing It For 4 Months

    So I Shaved My Beard After Growing It For 4 Months

    AquilHK Report

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    #81

    A New Day Has Dawned My Friends

    A New Day Has Dawned My Friends

    calebbrock Report

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