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Barbers are far more than grooming experts. They’re trusted advisors, community figures, and trendsetters who help men look sharp and feel confident. Behind every great haircut or beard trim lies centuries of tradition, cultural influence, and surprising history.
From medieval medicine to music and folklore, the role of the barber has always extended beyond the chair. Here are four surprising facts about barbers that prove just how influential this profession has been throughout time.
Yes, you read that right. During the Middle Ages, barbers weren’t just cutting hair—they were performing medical procedures. Known as barber-surgeons, they carried out bloodletting, wound care, and even tooth extractions.
The famous red-and-white barber pole originates from this period. The red stripes symbolized blood, while the white stood for bandages. It was a clear sign that you could walk into a barbershop not only for a shave but also to have a wound stitched up.
By the 19th century, medicine and barbering officially split into separate professions, and barbers were no longer allowed to practice surgery. While today’s barber won’t pull a tooth, the history reminds us just how central they were to everyday life.
Picture this: it’s the early 1900s, you’re waiting for a haircut, and someone in the shop starts humming. Soon, others join in, creating the now-famous barbershop quartet harmony.
The tradition took root in African American barbershops, where music and community blended seamlessly. These four-part harmonies—sung without instruments—quickly spread and became a defining American musical style.
With striped vests, straw hats, and cheerful songs, quartets became a staple of entertainment in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. And while their peak popularity has passed, the barbershop sound is still alive and celebrated today.
Throughout history, hair has held deep symbolic meaning. In many cultures, cutting it represents renewal, protection, or even spiritual cleansing.
Barbers were often called upon to help people mark a new beginning—removing hair grown during a difficult chapter of life to signify letting go of negativity. In folklore and rituals, hair was sometimes believed to store energy, emotions, or even curses, making a haircut a powerful act of transformation.
For some, a trip to the barbershop wasn’t just about style—it was about starting fresh, inside and out.
Barbers have always been innovators, pushing boundaries with razors, scissors, and creativity. Long before Instagram or celebrity stylists, barbershops were the birthplace of trends in men’s grooming and style.
But their influence extends beyond hair. For generations, the barbershop has been a pillar of community life—a place where people gather, share stories, and build connections. It’s no wonder so many cultural movements and ideas have been sparked in this welcoming space.
Barbers have shaped medicine, music, folklore, and fashion—but today, they focus on what they do best: helping you look sharp and feel confident.
At Premium Barbershop in Midtown, our skilled barbers carry on that legacy with precision cuts, expert beard trims, and modern grooming services. Open seven days a week, we make it easy to step in for a fresh new look whenever it suits you.
Book your appointment today or visit one of our Midtown locations—because a great haircut is more than a style, it’s a tradition.