5 Fascinating Facts About Being a Barber

by Kevin Smith Author

If you're interested in finding the closest barber school in Hollywood, FL, then you may also be interested in knowing a bit more about your dream profession. There are many reasons why barbering is such a great profession, and here are five fun facts that will help you understand why!

Historic Barbers

First things first, it's quite interesting to think about how long ago barbering began. Many people fail to realize that this profession dates back thousands of years, as barbers from ancient civilizations had very important roles to play. In fact, barbering is one of the oldest careers in the world, as scientists believe humans have been shaving since the ice age. In those times, having facial hair was a serious concern as it would hold water against the skin, leading to freezing frostbite. Without professional barbers, like there is today, people used flakes of seashells and obsidian to remain cleanly shaven. The earliest recorded evidence of barbering comes from ancient Egyptian civilization over 6,000 years ago. Tomb paintings show men having their face shaved and hair cut by distinguished barbers, who may have used sharpened seashells to perform their work. While it's a lot different than how barbers work today, it's still pretty neat to choose a career with such a rich and colorful history.

Hair Removal Solutions

If there's one thing barbers know about, it's removing hair. While ancient Egyptian men were having their faces shaved and hair groomed, the ladies were using hair removal creams made from ingredients like arsenic, quicklime, and starch. One of the reasons why Egypt is essentially the birthplace of barbering is because the ancient Egyptians cherished hair removal so that they could remain as hygienic as possible. It was not uncommon for both women and men to shave their hair and wear wigs instead. Even to this day, barbers help people maintain a neat and clean appearance.

Holy Men

While barbers nowadays may not be holy men, they used to be in several ancient cultures. It would be pretty fun to pursue such a highly-regarded profession. Taking a look at ancient Egyptian history, priests were mainly responsible for barbering, as it was believed that trimming off unattractive beards would keep evil spirits away. Every customer may be different, and you never know what kind of beard or hair you may be trimming off as a barber.

Greek Barbers

Another hotspot for barber activity was ancient Greece between 500 and 300 BC. It was very common for men to visit barbers to have their hair, beards, and fingernails carefully trimmed. With a prime position in a local marketplace, barbers were able to serve their clients in a social setting. Fast forward to today, when barbers are known for having a comfortable, casual chat with their clients. This friendly conversation and great service are one of the reasons why people love going to their barber on a regular basis.

Bible Barber

Last but certainly not least, as if the social and professional advantages of this career weren't enough, it's very true that barbers can help their clients have a great day and look and feel their best. This profession was even referenced in the Old Testament of the Bible, when God tells the prophet, Ezekiel, to take a sharp sword and use it as a barber's razor for his head and beard. While barbers no longer weigh the hair afterward, they still have such an important task to take care of for each and every customer. The closest barber school in Hollywood, FL, will help to prepare all potential barbers for this rewarding career.