Fun fact: there’s a trope called “Growing the Beard”, which is the opposite to “Jumping the Shark” wherein there is a dramatic difference between “before and after” through a series run. The trope got its name from Star Trek: NTG after Commander Riker grew out his beard which coincided with a significant improvement of the show, with an increase in quality and the show growing into its own identity.
I get where you’re coming from, but as someone who enjoys looking at Riker with the beard, I do prefer the trope of “Growing the Beard”.