ADVERTISEMENT

There are moments in our puberty, aka blunder years, that we are not exactly proud of. Like that one school pic in your parents’ photo album that you dread equally much as falling ill ‘cause your health insurance policy may tell you "see u later, alligator."

But hey, we’ve all been there and it’s totally fine and honestly, quite cute. And there’s even some real-life evidence that shows that some people have literally blossomed so much that they're now beautiful swans both inside and out.

So this time, we are looking at some of the most incredible “ugly duckling” transformations that prove there’s some justice after all in the looks department. Shared on the "Ugly Duckling" subreddit, these crazy before and afters will make you think twice about that shy boy in baggy sweater and braces who you sat next to in the 8th grade. And after you’re done scrolling through this post, be sure to check out more jaw-dropping transformations in our previous posts here, here, and here.

#1

Age 18 To 23, Used To Look Up In Photos To Try To Hide My Substantial Double Chin

Age 18 To 23, Used To Look Up In Photos To Try To Hide My Substantial Double Chin

amiuglyornotmate Report

RELATED:
    #2

    23 vs. 31 - Lost The Weight (160lbs) 7 Years Ago. My Hair Moved From The Top Of My Head To My Face And I’m Still Trying To Find My Look, But I Felt Good Today

    23 vs. 31 - Lost The Weight (160lbs) 7 Years Ago. My Hair Moved From The Top Of My Head To My Face And I’m Still Trying To Find My Look, But I Felt Good Today

    Humorhead Report

    Being an ugly duckling, which takes its name from Hans Christian Andersen’s tale, refers to glowing up and developing into an attractive and successful person as opposed to what one has been before in their early days. But many people grew up with the idea of being an “ugly duckling” when they were kids and for some, it still follows them into their adult life.

    As a result, even if this is a positive and celebrated transformation, many people can suffer lasting emotional effects. For example, ugly duckling syndrome can be a reason why so many of us can’t take compliments and see stares from people of the opposite sex as insults.

    #4

    19 To 27 - 220lbs Down Due To Gradual And Sustained Change Over A Long Time

    19 To 27 - 220lbs Down Due To Gradual And Sustained Change Over A Long Time

    mrcheyl Report

    ADVERTISEMENT
    #5

    15 - 19 I’d Like To Thank Accutane And Losing 90lbs

    15 - 19 I’d Like To Thank Accutane And Losing 90lbs

    kierst8 Report

    Add photo comments
    POST
    David K
    Community Member
    3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I had to look up what Accutane is (probably because I never had troubles with acne), but now I see what effect she has on her mind. The girl looks gorgeous with her new look.

    View more commentsArrow down menu
    #6

    [16-17] Two Selfies, Before And After Double Jaw Surgery

    [16-17] Two Selfies, Before And After Double Jaw Surgery

    interste11a Report

    Moreover, those who have ever seen themselves as ugly ducklings can struggle to realize the power of their natural beauty. It may also be a good thing, since it helps to develop an inner strength that later carries us in our lives.

    Most importantly, people who glowed up later in their lives are now much more likely to judge a book by what’s inside rather than its cover. Appreciation of inner beauty is a beautiful thing that enriches humans in profound ways.

    In the end, looks come and go, and if you build your personality solely on your outer traits, you may well struggle to cope with your identity in the event that you lose them.

    #7

    18 To 28 - Lost The Glasses, Found Some Hair, Kept The Nerdiness And Over-Optimism

    18 To 28 - Lost The Glasses, Found Some Hair, Kept The Nerdiness And Over-Optimism

    whostolemynameidea Report

    #8

    2019-2020. Went Through A Bad Year After A Horrible Failed Toxic Relationship (2014-2018) Gained A Bunch Of Weight Then Got It Together Finally

    2019-2020. Went Through A Bad Year After A Horrible Failed Toxic Relationship (2014-2018) Gained A Bunch Of Weight Then Got It Together Finally

    TurboChidori Report

    Add photo comments
    POST
    Raine Soo
    Community Member
    3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    The fact that your "horrible toxic relationship" failed was a blessing in disguise. You look and feel great now, right?

    View more commentsArrow down menu
    ADVERTISEMENT
    ADVERTISEMENT
    #9

    14 vs. 18 M / Used To Get Bullied So Hard I Still Get Insecure

    14 vs. 18 M / Used To Get Bullied So Hard I Still Get Insecure

    ___Gilgamesh___ Report

    #11

    22-31 Gained A Pair Of Glasses, Some Weight, And A Few Tats

    22-31 Gained A Pair Of Glasses, Some Weight, And A Few Tats

    ValenBeano89 Report

    Add photo comments
    POST
    Lisa
    Community Member
    3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    This looks like it could have been taken later that same day

    View more commentsArrow down menu
    #12

    12-27. Childhood Was A Rough But It Makes For A Good Personality

    12-27. Childhood Was A Rough But It Makes For A Good Personality

    reddit.com Report

    Add photo comments
    POST
    Raine Soo
    Community Member
    3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Aww, you were adorable as a kid. I won't deny that you are a stunner now.

    View more commentsArrow down menu
    #13

    19 -> 25 Found An Interview I Did At My First Internship About 6 Years Ago

    19 -> 25 Found An Interview I Did At My First Internship About 6 Years Ago

    ImAnEngnineere Report

    #14

    14-26 I’m Becoming More Comfortable With Myself Now, But I Still Have A Lot Of Work Left To Do. Learning To Love Myself Has Been Hard, But I Like The Person I’m Becoming

    14-26 I’m Becoming More Comfortable With Myself Now, But I Still Have A Lot Of Work Left To Do. Learning To Love Myself Has Been Hard, But I Like The Person I’m Becoming

    RyanTallow Report

    #15

    15 To 27. Was Bullied A Lot

    15 To 27. Was Bullied A Lot

    coshik Report

    Add photo comments
    POST
    David K
    Community Member
    3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    She looked lovely at the age of 15. People who bully someone are just hiding the fact that themselves are missing something and such display of their behavior makes them in fact look ridiculous and weak (which they however do not realize until after few years, sometimes never).

    View more commentsArrow down menu
    #16

    19 To 23

    19 To 23

    Xenia2111 Report

    Add photo comments
    POST
    Raine Soo
    Community Member
    3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I think that you looked fine in the before photo, just that your clothes were a bit frumpy, and aged you.

    View More Replies...
    View more commentsArrow down menu
    ADVERTISEMENT
    #17

    (15-31) Got Mildly Better At Grooming Over The Years

    (15-31) Got Mildly Better At Grooming Over The Years

    NMHFan Report

    #20

    Always Dreamed Of Owning A Motorbike, Made It Happen 14 Years Later And Had A Glow Up Along The Way [14-28]

    Always Dreamed Of Owning A Motorbike, Made It Happen 14 Years Later And Had A Glow Up Along The Way [14-28]

    SaltyChampers Report

    #21

    18-26: I Finally Figured Out What To Do With My Hands!

    18-26: I Finally Figured Out What To Do With My Hands!

    trainspottingmilksha Report

    #22

    My Body And Style Have Changed From 12 To 30, But I Still Listen To An Embarrassing Amount Of Brand New

    My Body And Style Have Changed From 12 To 30, But I Still Listen To An Embarrassing Amount Of Brand New

    bitesofbrittany Report

    #23

    13 To 26. For The First Time In My Life I Feel At Peace With Myself

    13 To 26. For The First Time In My Life I Feel At Peace With Myself

    soggyaugie Report

    Add photo comments
    POST
    Anita Marx
    Community Member
    3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Feeling the peace inside is always the best thing! No matter what you look like.

    View more commentsArrow down menu
    ADVERTISEMENT
    #25

    May, 2019 To Me Just Yesterday. Lost 65lbs This Year Since February

    May, 2019 To Me Just Yesterday. Lost 65lbs This Year Since February

    Raichu10126 Report

    #26

    Freshman Year - 6th Year Senior

    Freshman Year - 6th Year Senior

    Ksonjac Report

    Add photo comments
    POST
    Raine Soo
    Community Member
    3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    That facial hair is doing wonders for you. I also like what you did to your hair. You look so sharp now.

    View more commentsArrow down menu
    #27

    From Senior Year Of High School, To Senior Year Of College

    From Senior Year Of High School, To Senior Year Of College

    ray_banny21 Report

    #28

    17 To 26 - I Kept That Bob For 7 Years Unfortunately. Got Lasik, Cleared Up The Acne And Gained Confidence

    17 To 26 - I Kept That Bob For 7 Years Unfortunately. Got Lasik, Cleared Up The Acne And Gained Confidence

    woopthrowawaytime Report

    #29

    (17-22) To Be Fair, I Did Have A Great Time Fishing

    (17-22) To Be Fair, I Did Have A Great Time Fishing

    TzeentchPawn Report

    #30

    15yr Old To 26yr Old. I Used To Cut My Hair Short So I Looked Like A Guy And Food Was My Comfort Blanket

    15yr Old To 26yr Old. I Used To Cut My Hair Short So I Looked Like A Guy And Food Was My Comfort Blanket

    InfiniteCatPower Report

    Continue reading with Bored Panda Premium
    Unlimited content
    Ad-free browsing
    Dark mode
    #31

    12-22.got Contacts, Learned How To Do Makeup And Hair And Maintaining A Healthier Weight

    12-22.got Contacts, Learned How To Do Makeup And Hair And Maintaining A Healthier Weight

    AlanaAraya Report

    Add photo comments
    POST
    Kathryn Baylis
    Community Member
    3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Some of us are late bloomers, but once everything finally comes together! We are set. You will look so much better than the “beauties” at your 10 year reunion. And your 20th. And all the rest. They all peaked at 18. You, on the other hand, have already had one, and will continue to have a long series of other peaks throughout your life.

    View more commentsArrow down menu
    #32

    17 To 21

    17 To 21

    etherealswan Report

    Add photo comments
    POST
    ADVERTISEMENT
    See Also on Bored Panda
    #33

    Found Some Photos From The 8th Grade. 2010 vs. 2020

    Found Some Photos From The 8th Grade. 2010 vs. 2020

    reddit.com Report

    #34

    Middle School Was Sooo Hard To Me. Nobody Had A Crush On Me. I Wasn't Even At The Bottom Of The "Hottest Girls" List. Now... Well, Things Have Changed A Bit. No Surgery, Just A Resounding Puberty

    Middle School Was Sooo Hard To Me. Nobody Had A Crush On Me. I Wasn't Even At The Bottom Of The "Hottest Girls" List. Now... Well, Things Have Changed A Bit. No Surgery, Just A Resounding Puberty

    ItsMartinaDotCom97 Report

    Add photo comments
    POST
    BisexualCelebrity
    Community Member
    3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    you were cuter in Middle school than I am..... I don't see anything wrong with it

    View more commentsArrow down menu
    #35

    (21-30) Eight Years Ago, I Met A Girl At A College Party Who Would Become My Girlfriend After Reconnecting With Her Over Ig Six Months Ago. The Picture On The Left Is The Only Evidence We Have Of That Night. Right Is At A Friends Wedding This Past September. Now Featuring: Better Hairstyle Choices!

    (21-30) Eight Years Ago, I Met A Girl At A College Party Who Would Become My Girlfriend After Reconnecting With Her Over Ig Six Months Ago. The Picture On The Left Is The Only Evidence We Have Of That Night. Right Is At A Friends Wedding This Past September. Now Featuring: Better Hairstyle Choices!

    reddit.com Report

    #37

    4 Years Is A Mighty Long Time

    4 Years Is A Mighty Long Time

    Froshos Report

    #39

    13 vs. 23 - Let’s Just Say The Last Decade Has Been... A Wild Ride Lol

    13 vs. 23 - Let’s Just Say The Last Decade Has Been... A Wild Ride Lol

    reddit.com Report

    Add photo comments
    POST
    ADVERTISEMENT
    See Also on Bored Panda
    #41

    12 To 20!

    12 To 20!

    MoonBack Report

    Add photo comments
    POST
    #42

    Age 13 To 22

    Age 13 To 22

    Farquaad_Senpai Report

    Add photo comments
    POST
    Batman_Lover
    Community Member
    3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    This is just me being stupid, so don't down vote this because it's just what I thought when I first looked at it, but does anyone else get hippie vibes from the first picture

    View More Replies...
    View more commentsArrow down menu
    #43

    Age 16-18, 96 Lbs Down And Finally Coming Out Of My Shell A Little Bit

    Age 16-18, 96 Lbs Down And Finally Coming Out Of My Shell A Little Bit

    sebisnthere Report

    #44

    17 (L) To 30 (R). Ditched The Long Hair, Got More Stylish Glasses, Grew A Beard (Thank God). Don't Know Why The Huge Difference In My Skin Tone... Perhaps Due To Poor Lighting In The Pic On The Left?

    17 (L) To 30 (R). Ditched The Long Hair, Got More Stylish Glasses, Grew A Beard (Thank God). Don't Know Why The Huge Difference In My Skin Tone... Perhaps Due To Poor Lighting In The Pic On The Left?

    12 days ago Report

    #45

    Freshman (14) In High School To Freshman In College (18)

    Freshman (14) In High School To Freshman In College (18)

    reddit.com Report

    Add photo comments
    POST
    #46

    17, Followed By Acne + Accutane By 18 But I Made It To 27

    17, Followed By Acne + Accutane By 18 But I Made It To 27

    reddit.com Report

    #47

    Happy With My 5 Month Progress, Feeling A Lot Better About Myself

    Happy With My 5 Month Progress, Feeling A Lot Better About Myself

    deirfp1 Report

    Add photo comments
    POST
    #48

    14-19

    14-19

    SectionSignificant48 Report

    ADVERTISEMENT
    See Also on Bored Panda
    #50

    Top I Was 13 Bottom Is 21, 8 Years Can Really Make A Difference

    Top I Was 13 Bottom Is 21, 8 Years Can Really Make A Difference

    random2425 Report

    #51

    13-28 Still Ugly But Learned To Hide It Better

    13-28 Still Ugly But Learned To Hide It Better

    allout_atl Report

    #52

    8-18; I Was The Awkwardest, Nerdiest Kid. Well I Guess Nothing's Changed

    8-18; I Was The Awkwardest, Nerdiest Kid. Well I Guess Nothing's Changed

    ThrowawayForNin Report

    Add photo comments
    POST
    Caged Beer
    Community Member
    3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Awkward and nerdy? You looked a delightful child, now a lovely young woman.

    View more commentsArrow down menu
    #53

    18-27. Slight Change And Lots Of Confidence Later

    18-27. Slight Change And Lots Of Confidence Later

    FMChainsawTeddy Report

    #55

    One Quarantine Haircut And A Visit To The Thrift Shop Later

    One Quarantine Haircut And A Visit To The Thrift Shop Later

    Ryanonair Report

    Add photo comments
    POST
    #56

    17/18 Versus 20. I Got Told I Was Ugly A Lot When I Was Younger... Comments Seem To Have Changed, So... I Hope I Qualify

    17/18 Versus 20. I Got Told I Was Ugly A Lot When I Was Younger... Comments Seem To Have Changed, So... I Hope I Qualify

    reddit.com Report

    ADVERTISEMENT
    See Also on Bored Panda
    #57

    13 vs. 18 Years Old... I Feel Like There Is Some Improvement!

    13 vs. 18 Years Old... I Feel Like There Is Some Improvement!

    SnooFloofs9217 Report