Friends will come and go, family have known you your whole life and they remember you being only one way your entire life. When my brother died last year, it was the first time I had seen him in almost 10 years, he had a goatee beard and I almost did not recognize him, in my mind he was still a handsome teenager from the late 1960's. Once the new wears off (within 2-3 weeks) people won't even notice anymore.
It all comes down to you, and what you like and don't like. When I was younger, I believed I had to adjust my appearance to attract women, or be accepted by other students. Looking back, it was such a wasted time and effort, the only person that you need to win the approval of, is the person who looks at you in the mirror, if he can like you others will absolutely like you too.