“High School Was Rough” — 40 People Whose Incredible Glow-Ups Make Them Almost Unrecognizable

6 hours ago 1

High school might be the peak for some people—but for others, it’s just the prologue to an absolute glow-up.

These post–high school transformations from r/uglyduckling are proof that sometimes the long game pays off. Braces came off, confidence kicked in, and suddenly that awkward teen phase is just a distant memory in the rearview mirror.

1. 15 —> 37

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3. 18 To 27, Can’t Believe This Is Only A 9 Year Difference! From Beginning Of College And Hating Myself To Nearly Done With Law School And Kinda Think I’m Pretty Damn Awesome 🙂

4. 15 To 22! Still Working On Confidence

5. Age 13 vs. 38

6. 16-20. Does This Count?

7. 16 To 24!! Feeling Amazing

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9. 12 – 24 Even My Family Doesn’t Recognize Me These Days, It’s Nice

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11. Me (16) -> Me (18) Current

12. 16-21

13. Me And My Little Brother, 13 & 18 / 23 & 28

14. 18 – 32 Grew Up Weird And Nerdy. Started Working Out And It Changed My Life! 🙂

15. 380lbs At 36, 167lbs At 38

16. 17 To 23: How Far Some Self Care Can Take You 🙂

17. 11->18->25. Gym & Therapy Works Y’all

18. 13 To 27. Good Things Take Time

19. 18 To 25

20. 18-32. Went From Hating And Neglecting Myself To Loving And Nurturing Myself. Took A Long Time But I’m Glad To Be Here!

21. 20-21. Got Sober And Lost Some Weight

22. 9/10 — 22/23

23. 15 vs. 18

24. Middle School (Age 12) —> Senior Year Graduation Photo (Age 18) —> Now (Age 21)

25. 16 – 23

26. 27 To 34

27. M 18-22

28. 22-25

29. 24 To 31. Forever Grateful To My Younger Self For Making The Decisions That Made Me What I Am Now

30. 12 To 21, Didn’t Even Try To Change – It Just Happened 🙂

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32. 15→22!

33. 19 To 30 (Homeless vs. Decent Life)

34. 17-21

35. 14 & 26. My Teeth Straightened Themselves! I Was Bullied A Lot.

36. 24 – 27

37. 22 To 32 – Late Bloomer To Say The Least, But I’m Finally Happy With My Looks

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39. 19-25! Got Treatment For My Autoimmune Issues And Developed Love For Cool Makeup!

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