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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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    #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

    #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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    #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

    #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.

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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

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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

    #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

    #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

    #82

    Before And After I Shave

    Before And After I Shave

    btelliot Report

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

    Ooo beautiful eyes. :D Looking good either way. I like em hairy... I like em bald. Or any in-between. Geez I sound like a hussy hahaha

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    #83

    That Moment Shortly After A 'Trim' Where You Realise You Looked Better With The Beard

    That Moment Shortly After A 'Trim' Where You Realise You Looked Better With The Beard

    rockdocfox Report

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    #90

    Before And After. Goodbye Beard, You Were A Good Friend

    Before And After. Goodbye Beard, You Were A Good Friend

    dylansexy Report

    #91

    Lumberjack To Baby Face

    Lumberjack To Baby Face

    RichardKenyan Report

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

    He actually looks better with a beard to be honest, but he looks good either way

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    #93

    Had A Fun Shaving 5 Months Of Bearding

    Had A Fun Shaving 5 Months Of Bearding

    moonshineninja Report

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

    Now that was a nice beard and very well kept. It's a coin toss, but he tapers it in such a flattering way it subtracts a few pounds. Lucky Guy!

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    #95

    After 100 Days I Finally Had A Shave. RIP Beard

    After 100 Days I Finally Had A Shave. RIP Beard

    josh.drane Report

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    #100

    Two Faces

    Two Faces

    David Kramer Report

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

    Very handsome, nice eyes. I say leave hair on head very low cut beard and that would be awesome!

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    #105

    Annual Beard Removal

    Annual Beard Removal

    robpooke Report

    #106

    Winter Look Vs Summer Look. Btw, I´m 44...

    Winter Look Vs Summer Look. Btw, I´m 44...

    Report

    #107

    Before After 4 Years With A Beard, Feel Strange Without It

    Before After 4 Years With A Beard, Feel Strange Without It

    Chris__Carter Report

    #111

    Well, Now That No Shave November Is Over

    Well, Now That No Shave November Is Over

    Ramaaaa Report

    #112

    Job Interview Of A Lifetime! So Time To Shave

    Job Interview Of A Lifetime! So Time To Shave

    Jallenallen Report

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    #113

    Before And After Shaving

    Before And After Shaving

    Vijaya Kumar Report

    #114

    Boyfriend Shaved His Year Long Beard For Thanksgiving (Beardsgiving)

    Boyfriend Shaved His Year Long Beard For Thanksgiving (Beardsgiving)

    snowblind Report

    #116

    So, I Decided To Shave After 12 Years Of Beard/facial

    So, I Decided To Shave After 12 Years Of Beard/facial

    joetheafroman Report

    #118

    Kido Is Back

    Kido Is Back

    neerav_k_hetawal Report

    #120

    Asked My Boyfriend To Shave His Beard. Big Mistake. Now He Has A Mustache

    Asked My Boyfriend To Shave His Beard. Big Mistake. Now He Has A Mustache

    thewaythetreesare Report

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    #121

    I Just Finally Shaved Off My Movember Beard. I Immediately Regret This Decision

    I Just Finally Shaved Off My Movember Beard. I Immediately Regret This Decision

    coolhandlucas Report

    #125

    Had A Little Fun With My Beard Before I Shaved It

    Had A Little Fun With My Beard Before I Shaved It

    thedownfall Report

    #127

    Well I Have Completely Lost My Intimidation Factor

    Well I Have Completely Lost My Intimidation Factor

    thisisthebeard.blogspot.lt Report

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    #131

    Before And After

    Before And After

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

    He did it as a promise to our youth group. If they raised $2500 for missions, they could shave him completely. They raised $3300!!!

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    #136

    I Had To Shave For A Job Interview. RIP Beard

    I Had To Shave For A Job Interview. RIP Beard

    CrowbarSteve Report

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    #139

    Finally Had To Let Go Of My Beard Baby

    Finally Had To Let Go Of My Beard Baby

    Sparkscrashing1 Report

    #140

    My Before & After Shaving

    My Before & After Shaving

    ArmonSalamati Report

    #142

    30 Years Since I Last Shaved, And It Aint Going Anywhere! A Beard Is For Life, Not Just For Christmas!

    30 Years Since I Last Shaved, And It Aint Going Anywhere! A Beard Is For Life, Not Just For Christmas!

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    #144

    So Many Different Looks

    So Many Different Looks

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

    all 3 pics are great can't choose out of the 1st & 2nd pics but 2nd pic looks younger

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    #145

    I Recently Shaved My 16 Month Old Beard. I Now Look Like I'm 12

    I Recently Shaved My 16 Month Old Beard. I Now Look Like I'm 12

    RhettWilliam Report

    #146

    Before And After Shaving

    Before And After Shaving

    The5thRobin Report

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

    I can't take you seriously in the pink floral bathroom. LOL. Kidding - I think better with a beard, just kept shorter. Nice features.

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    #149

    There Is No Better Way To Loose Some Years (at Least For Me)

    There Is No Better Way To Loose Some Years (at Least For Me)

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    #150

    Winter Look With Natural Gray Hair, Summer Look With Painted Black (the Original) Hair

    Winter Look With Natural Gray Hair, Summer Look With Painted Black (the Original) Hair

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

    Grey with beard = distinguished. Dark and clean = hot as hell!

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    #151

    ..;(

    ..;(

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

    Better without : your green eyes draw all the attention :)

    #152

    The Beard Is Gone But Will Surely Return. Just A Matter Of Time

    The Beard Is Gone But Will Surely Return. Just A Matter Of Time

    jasonmyrt Report

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    #153

    This Is The Story Of My Adult Life. I Have Made A Huge Mistake

    This Is The Story Of My Adult Life. I Have Made A Huge Mistake

    wilsonx81 Report

    #155

    Before & After Of My 7 Month Beard Growth

    Before & After Of My 7 Month Beard Growth

    MidnightCircuit Report

    #157

    Me With About 6 Months Of Growth Vs Freshly Shaven

    Me With About 6 Months Of Growth Vs Freshly Shaven

    Report

    #158

    Grew My Beard For 15 Months, Then Shaved It All Off For Movember!

    Grew My Beard For 15 Months, Then Shaved It All Off For Movember!

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    #159

    6 Month Beard Before Sending Visa Application

    6 Month Beard Before Sending Visa Application

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    #162

    Shaved My Beard Off

    Shaved My Beard Off

    turtle513 Report

    #164

    I Grew My Beard For 9 Months

    I Grew My Beard For 9 Months

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    #167

    Half An Hour And A Change Of Clothes

    Half An Hour And A Change Of Clothes

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    #168

    Say Hello To Steve Wilkos...lol

    Say Hello To Steve Wilkos...lol

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    #170

    3 Steps Of Social Integration With A Razor

    3 Steps Of Social Integration With A Razor

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    #172

    Decisions Were Made.

    Decisions Were Made.

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    #173

    I Grew My Beard For 9 Months

    I Grew My Beard For 9 Months

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    #176

    Gbs

    Gbs

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    #177

    Trimmed My Beard And Cut Off 8 Inches Of Hair.

    Trimmed My Beard And Cut Off 8 Inches Of Hair.

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    #178

    3 Month Of Facial Hair

    3 Month Of Facial Hair

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    #180

    Fff

    Fff

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    #181

    For The First Time In 10 Months

    For The First Time In 10 Months

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    #182

    After/before

    After/before

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

    Don't grow all of that mess back. Just a short beard and a nice hair cut.

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    #183

    The Sad Face And Smile Are In The Wrong Picture

    The Sad Face And Smile Are In The Wrong Picture

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    #184

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    #186

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