John Y’s Musings from the Middle: The Stages of Follicular Development in Men

I remember as a child–maybe at about age 6 or 7 –my mom let me start brushing my own hair to get ready for school. I was proud of my independence signified by my responsibility for the hair on my head.

As I grew older, about ages 13-14, I graduated to a new level and had to start shaving my peach fuzz-like growth on my upper lip.

A year or two later, another step still— as I began shaving not only my entire lower face but shaving daily.

And then as I aged into my 20s and early 30s the next phase of follicular development: I began having to shave my upper neck daily too. And occasionally ask my wife to shave the back of my neck

And then….and then….

I still brush my hair, shave my entire lower face and upper neck and occasionally ask my wife to shave the back of my neck…but as I have moved into my 40s now additionally trim my eye brows every two weeks and even check my ear canals once or twice a month for errant hair growths.

What’s next?

No. On second thought, I don’t want to know.