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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
6 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
6 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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#8

This Transformation

This Transformation

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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

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#10

Shave In Half

Shave In Half

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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

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#14

Harley Morenstein Before And After Shaving His Beard

Harley Morenstein Before And After Shaving His Beard

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#15

Roy Asotasi Shaved His Beard To Raise Money

Roy Asotasi Shaved His Beard To Raise Money

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#18

Before And After Shave

Before And After Shave

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#19

Little Difference

Little Difference

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#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

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#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

#25

Transformation

Transformation

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John L
Community Member
6 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

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#29

Hair-B-Gone

Hair-B-Gone

highndmighty Report

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Emre
Community Member
6 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

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Barbara Jones
Community Member
6 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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#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

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Charlotte Brine
Community Member
6 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Looks like a mash up of both Dan le sec and scroobius pip. (Their love child maybe?) Google that, you'll see it!

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Mayra Blu
Community Member
6 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

How can one shave off that awesome beard! He looks few years younger without it tho.

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Dianne Wilson
Community Member
6 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Aaarrrhhhh me hearty ! you looked like a Pirate with the beard :)

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Allana Rose
Community Member
6 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

That face! *LOL* it's like he is thinking "OMG! What the hell have I done!!"

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

I prefer the beard, but still cute either way :)

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Colleen Figg
Community Member
6 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

your beard WAS amazing and this is from someone who usually cannot stand beards.

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Shannon Johnson
Community Member
6 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

No regrets. You were wearing a giant, unattended bush on your face. Ick. It's much better without.

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Lisa Casserly
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Nah, its ok. And remember, its HAIR. If you hate the shaved look, you can always grow it back.

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Janine Randall
Community Member
6 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I'd rather snuggle the face, not the beard. As female, we do NOT know what is hiding in that thing!

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Jeanette Kent
Community Member
6 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I think you look fine either way but if you go with the beard then I would change the style.

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#35

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

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

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John L
Community Member
6 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"

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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

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#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

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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.

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#50

It Was Time To Change

It Was Time To Change

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Note: this post originally had 186 images. It’s been shortened to the top 50 images based on user votes.

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