The Evolution of Men's Grooming: From Traditional Barbering to Modern Trends
For as long as men's whiskers have been growing, those who know their way around a razor and scissors have offered professional grooming services. As far back as Ancient Egypt, skilled barbers have been helping men achieve the latest hairstyles and beard grooming trends.
While the barbering profession has shifted and changed over the centuries, its impact on culture, trends, and societal norms has always been profound. Read on to learn about the unique evolution of barbering and how you can experience timeless tradition at modern barbershops.
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What Is Traditional Barbering?
Traditional barbering can refer to many periods and practices. In modern barbershops, the term typically alludes to places that focus on men's grooming services, including cutting, grooming, and styling hair and facial hair.
In the historical sense, traditional barbering was more than just grooming services. Believe it or not, many barbers also served as surgeons, dentists, and even priests. While scientific advancement has caused many of these services to fall by the waist side, it's clear that the profession is more than just a cosmetic service for men. It's a profession that puts men's health and comfort first.
Ancient Civilizations: The Birth of Barbering
Men's grooming services seem to have been part of human civilization since ancient times. As far back as 5000 B.C., revered Egyptian barbers performed everything from elaborate hairstyles on the elites to rituals that drove away negative forces.
Interestingly, the Ancient Egyptians believed that negative forces could enter through the hair. This made hair cutting an important, ritualistic practice. By cutting the hair to ward off evil energy, barbers served a spiritual purpose as much as a utilitarian one.
The Middle Ages: Grooming and Tooth Extractions
As history progressed, the role of barbers as physical and spiritual healers expanded. As early as 1000 A.D., barbers performed surgical procedures like bloodletting and tooth extractions, on top of men's haircuts. Barbers already had training with scissors and straight razors, making them the ideal choice for these minor surgical procedures. At least at the time.
The growth of barbering during this period can also be attributed to the medieval class system. Barbers still served the elites and nobility, but because monks were expected to keep their heads shaved, demand also expanded to the clergy.
The Renaissance: The First Traditional Barbershops
Barbers still served as minor surgeons well through the Renaissance period, all the way until the 18th century. However, during this time the first hallmarks of modern barbershops also began to emerge. Barbers began forming guilds and establishing their businesses as communal hubs.
By 1540, barbers were required to distinguish their services by the colors of their iconic barber pole. The red and white stripes represented bloody and clean bandages, as in previous centuries, barbers would hang bloody bandages outside their shop after a procedure. The blue stripe was added to signify cut veins during the bloodletting process, and could also symbolize that the shop owner was a doctor, rather than a barber.
The 19th Century: The Golden Age of Barbering
A time filled with intricate hairstyles and expert facial hair grooming, men gathered in 19th barbershops to relax, socialize, and enjoy the grooming experience. Traditional barbershops flourished, as the elites showed off their status with extravagant wigs and artistic facial hair.
Modern Barbering: Have Traditional Barbershops Seen a Decline?
With the advent of the safety razor and electric clippers in the 20th century, men began grooming at home more often. Unisex salons further decreased demand for skilled barbers, causing the traditional barbering experience to fade.
However, that doesn't mean the unparalleled grooming experience of the 19th century didn't have enduring appeal. Today, more and more men are interested in an experience that mimics the rich history of traditional barbering, looking for barbershops that blend modern trends with traditional care (Well, maybe not the bloodletting).
How Mr. Winston's Creates Contemporary Styles With Traditional Techniques
If you want to experience a trip to the barber that embraces modern trends and classical barbering experiences, look no further than Mr. Winston's. We provide the communal pampering you'd expect from a historical barbershop, all while delivering the best modern and traditional haircuts. We use both modern and classic techniques, including straight razor shaves!
If you want a top-notch visit to the barbershop, consider booking an appointment at Mr. Winston’s, or trying one of our natural pomades. We offer a range of hair care and hair styling services for men and boys.
