Barber School

What to Expect In Barber School

As you look for a barber school, you may be a bit anxious about "making the cut." However, all you need is to be committed to finding a good barber school and then learning all the tips and tricks of haircutting and facial shaving. The key to success in this career is simple—practice, practice, and more practice!

Here's what you can expect to learn in a typical barber school program.

Safety & Sanitation

One of the first things you will learn is basic hygiene, including comprehensive sanitization and sterilization procedures. This knowledge is critical to passing your licensing exam and will be an integral part of your daily routine as a working barber. Throughout barber school training, you will be reminded of the importance of cleanliness and safe practices in order to avoid spreading disease or causing injury to your clients.

Hair and Scalp Care

Hair and scalp care is at the core of your barber school education. You will learn how to analyze and work with many types of hair. Your studies will include anatomy and structure of the hair and scalp, growth and regeneration patterns, and various conditions and disorders your clients may encounter. You will learn how the chemical properties of various products react with different types of hair. All this knowledge will prepare you to shampoo, condition and treat any client's hair and scalp successfully.

Hair Styling and Shaping

You will learn basic techniques for cutting and styling hair, including modern razor styling and blow drying. Don't expect to learn every possible style and technique out there. You have your whole career to expand your repertoire. Simply focus on mastering the fundamental techniques of haircutting, facial shaving, and facial hair trimming. As with all of your hands-on training in barber school, you will probably start by practicing on a mannequin. As your skills develop, you will begin practicing on actual clients.

Learn about hair stylist schools and careers.

Shaving and Grooming

Every barber needs to know how to use a straight razor to quickly and safely remove facial hair. You will learn this and other shaving and grooming techniques, including skills for trimming beards and mustaches. You will also learn how to provide skin care treatments such as steam facials and facial massage. Clients expect this kind of care from barbers, especially in luxury male salons.

Hair Coloring and Chemical Treatments

Many barbers today provide advanced hair styling services, such as coloring, perming, and straightening. You will learn how these chemical processes work on hair, and you will practice mixing and applying formulas. Expect this part of your training to be messy and smelly, but a whole lot of fun.

Business Management

Whether you rent a chair in a salon, work as an employee or open your own barbershop, you will need business skills to succeed. Barber schools typically provide at least one class on managing a business, including financial management, marketing, sales, business planning and even interpersonal skills. Be sure to take this part of your education seriously. It takes more than good cutting to be successful as a barber. When it comes to building a business as a barber, gaining solid business skills may make or break the deal.

Learn about master barber careers and how they're different from barbering careers.

Return to the Beauty Career Center home page.

Looking for Barber Schools or Beauty Schools?

Try our Spa, Massage & Beauty Schools page. There you will find a comprehensive list of schools which offer program descriptions. You can also request information from the schools that interest you most.

Sources:
Department of Commerce and Insurance, 2009