Barbers, Bloodletting, and Surgeons Pave the Path for Today’s Cosmetologists

What do hair stylists and surgeons have in common? During the Middle Ages, barbers performed surgery along with hair cutting and shaving. The reason for the red and white pole that is often displayed outside of a barber shop is that the red signifies the color of blood indicating that the person inside performs surgery and the white represents the trade of barbering. In those days while you got your hair cut, you could also seek treatment from the same person for that festering boil or case of the gout. The practice of surgery during that time often involved the use of "bloodletting" as it was thought that the release of blood from the body was a way to heal certain diseases and ailments.

As mankind gained more insight as to how the body functions, surgeons became part of a profession concerned more with cutting and repairing the body than with cutting hair and shaving beards. Although these two occupations no longer share the same domain of knowledge and expertise, education still plays an important role in the training and certification of those seeking a career in hair styling and cosmetology.

In 1893, the first school for barbers was established by A.B. Moler in Chicago. This was the first school of its kind in the world and its rapid success soon led to the addition of branches throughout the United States. Fast forward to current times and barber schools have led to the creation of schools of cosmetology where students learn everything there is to know about styling, treating, and coloring hair along with skin care, makeup and manicuring nails. Barber schools have now become beauty schools where cutting hair is just one of many skills learned in the course of becoming a trained and licensed cosmetologist.

The term cosmetology refers to professional careers in the field of personal beauty and grooming, such as hair styling, skincare, makeup application, and nail treatment. Like surgeons need to complete medical school, cosmetologists must undergo rigorous training, apprenticeship and testing in order to work in the beauty industry. To become a certified cosmetologist, one must attend and complete an accredited cosmetology training program that is certified by the state or region in which the program resides. Cosmetology programs consist of both basic courses that most students take to gain a strong foundation of beauty knowledge, as well as more advanced courses depending on the area of desired specialization by the student.

A licensed cosmetologist who specializes in hair is responsible for a number services related to hair. Hair stylists not only cut hair, they also specialize in the treatment, coloring, cleaning and conditioning of hair. This requires knowledge of the use and application of various chemicals and hair products to achieve the desired look and style of hair. Today’s ever changing trends in fashion and beauty require that those who aspire to become professional hair stylists must learn and keep abreast of the latest techniques and trends. In addition to natural hair care, hair stylists may also need to assist their clients with the use of toupees, wigs and hair extensions.

Before deciding on a particular school of cosmetology, prospective students should also research their options related to financial aid and job placement services. Many schools provide assistance finding options for making tuition payments, as well as, helping new graduates with career placement opportunities in their local area.