Last week was an interesting time for me. It seems I was in the process of ‘letting myself go’ to a degree. I wasn’t completely falling apart… I mean, I was staying pretty healthy – exercising and eating well.

But things were slipping in the hair and beard department. I hadn’t visited Queen Latifa at EDGE Men’s Hair for two months and the beard was adding to the ensemble, creeping down my neck and resembling a wire-haired Jack Russel. I was running out of gel as well, so some days I was heading out into the world, au naturel. Reckless, to say the least.

Look at that above image. I couldn’t even bring myself to stare at the camera, although I must admit I was also trying to be provocative, in which I succeeded.

It’s a poisoned chalice, being GQ’s Man of the Year (2010), you see. Safe with the knowledge that you are beyond reproach in the style stakes, you’re at risk of becoming lazy. To any outsiders, this will look like a conscious fashion choice. Who are they to question your decision to set a ‘hobo’ or ‘derelicte’ trend for that day, week or month? Best they follow suit, or get left behind!

My family instructed me to shave off the beard and start anew. It was agreed a facial would be in order as well. I bought myself a BIC disposable razor, some shaving cream and set to work. A few minutes later I gazed at the young man in front of me in the mirror. But this was just the beginning. The Muse had booked me one of those new Hydra Touch Facials at Skin Renewal (I think she had read this story from last month) so off I went. I’d never been to the Claremont branch before, as I usually hit the Cape Quarter. 

Skin Renewal is the only place doing the Hydra Touch Facial in South Africa, and when you read the InStyle write up, you can understand why:

“So popular that one is performed every 15 seconds around the world. That stat alone is impressive, but the treatment’s become the go-to facial for celebs, your co-worker, and Facebook friend from high school because it’s affordable and targets many of the most common skincare concerns like dryness and signs of aging with little to no side effects.”

What a way for me to present my new beardless mug to the world!

The experience and treatment were positively glorious. It lasted about an hour and I ended up falling asleep. My therapist, Jess, threw in a superb neck massage as I awoke from my slumber. 

And what of the response ‘in the field’, you ask?

Well, let me tell you something – I took my face for a spin and it actually became quite embarrassing. So many people were saying how much younger I looked, and at one stage I thought the security guard outside the Constantia Village Woolies was going to ask me for ID. Seriously.

It definitely felt great and I was left refreshed and ‘glowing’, if I don’t say so myself. 

I’ve done facials before in my life, usually pushed to do so by my mother or wife, but I was younger then. 

I’ve never consciously wanted to go back for another one like I did this time. 

Maybe it’s because of the age I’m at. Maybe it’s because now the results are genuinely noticeable!

I took a profile picture for you to see, below.