What is Barbers?

The main duty of a barber shop is basically to offer a service of cutting hair. Previously they were known for only cutting beards but with its rarity their focus has been primarily on the trimming, cutting and shaving of hair. It's difficult not to miss sights of barber shops, since most are accompanied by the familiar sight of the barber shop pole.

History of the Barber Shop Pole

The history of the barber shop pole has many interpretations, one of which dates back to the middle ages, when barbers not only dealt with hair, but also performed surgery, and bloodletting. The original pole had two basins at either end. The basin at the top was used to store leeches and the one at the bottom was used to collect blood.  The pole was used for you to clench and allow blood flow. The red and white stripes were symbols for the bandages used during the process: The red represented the blood and the white the clean bandages. The bandages were hung outside the barbershop with the pole and would blow in the wind to twist and wrap around the pole. Later on blue stripes were added to represent poisonous blood.

What do you expect?

In some businesses, barbers also perm hair and use chemical relaxers on request. They use instruments such as scissors, combs, clippers, straight razors and smocks to carry out various shaving processes. You are always fully clothed when receiving a shave and the process can take from fifteen minutes to over an hour, depending on what treatments are chosen.

Barber shops are commonly known to be attended by men, but women go there to receive the same treatments, such as trimming eyebrows.

Cost estimates

When looking to choose a barbershop, take into consideration the atmosphere of the place. Does it have a comfortable setting and is it clean. What do they charge for a haircut? The price for a basic haircut in some barber shops can range from £5.00 to £10.00, with more luxurious barbers charging haircuts for over £300.

Some of the most common types of hair treatment are:

Wet Shaving

This consists of removing facial hair with a straight razor, more commonly known as a ‘cut-throat razor’. The area to be shaved is made wet with water, shaving cream or shaving soap. This shaving technique is used to cut the hair very close to the skin to give a more definitive and effective cut, whilst at the same time giving better looking skin. The hot water helps to relax your facial muscles and opens up your pores so that the hairs can be cut with ease.

Indian Head Massages

This is a technique used for relaxation purposes after or before a shave, and can be used whether or not a cut is necessary. It involves massaging the face, scalp, neck and shoulders and applying selected lotions to the facial area, it can be used to help treat insomnia, headaches and muscle stiffness.

Hot Towel Shave

This type of shave involves the barber lathering the face with shaving cream or soap, and then steaming the face with a warm, damp towel. This process is repeated after the barber has used a straight razor to shave the face.