Surprising Facts About the Bloody History of Being a Barber

Ever had a bad haircut? You know, the kind where the barber hands you the mirror, and you immediately consider shaving your head and starting over? Now, imagine that same barber, doubling as your dentist and surgeon. Welcome to the Middle Ages, where a trim, a tooth yank, and a nice, clean amputation were all on the menu.

In today’s world, you walk into a barber shop expecting a few things: a chair, a cape, and a slightly awkward chat. But back in medieval times, barbers had a little more on their to-do list. They didn’t just stop at making you look presentable; they were also your go-to professionals for minor surgeries and dental work. That means your barber wasn't just using scissors; he was also armed with an assortment of knives, saws, and pliers. Because, why not?

Back then, if you walked into a barber shop with a toothache, you wouldn’t leave until they “fixed” it by pulling out the offending tooth. But if you also needed a shave and a little bloodletting (because why stop at just hair and teeth?), they had you covered.

1. Bloodletting: The Original “I’m Just Going to Trim a Little Off the Top”

One of the most popular services barbers provided was bloodletting. The logic was simple: if you’re sick, it’s probably because you have too much blood. Obviously. So, what better way to fix that than by letting some of it out?

If you thought getting a little nick during a shave was bad, imagine sitting down for a haircut and leaving with less blood than you came in with. The barber would carefully drain some of that pesky excess blood using a special tool with a fixed blade called a fleam.

2. Tooth Extraction: The Original No-Nonsense Dental Care

Next on the barber’s list of nightmare-inducing services: tooth extraction. Imagine sitting in the barber’s chair, expecting the usual, “How’s the wife and kids?” small talk, when suddenly the barber pulls out a pair of iron pliers. No Novocaine, no gas—just you, the barber, and the raw terror of knowing that those pliers are about to make an unholy connection with your aching molar.

Let’s just say that if you were afraid of going to the dentist today, you probably would have fainted just thinking about visiting a barber back in the day. The barber would yank out your tooth in a process that was as quick as it was excruciating.

4. Amputations: Because What’s a Little Surgery Between Friends?

Feeling adventurous? Why not let your barber perform an amputation? After all, he’s already mastered the art of bloodletting and tooth-pulling; what’s one more thing? If you had a limb that was more trouble than it was worth (say, a gangrenous leg), the barber was ready and willing to lop it off for you.

This was done with a bone saw that was definitely not sterilized, and the only anesthesia available was the copious amounts of alcohol you downed beforehand (if you were lucky). The barber would then cauterize the wound with a hot iron, because nothing says “medical care” like searing pain and the smell of burning flesh.

5. The Barber Pole: A Symbol of Medical Horror

Ever wondered why barber poles are red and white? The red symbolizes the blood from all the bloodletting, and the white symbolizes... well, whatever wasn’t stained with blood, I guess. This spinning pole of doom was essentially a giant neon sign advertising, “Come on in! We’ll cut your hair, and maybe a few arteries, too!”

It’s a symbol that has somehow survived into the modern age, though today it thankfully only means you’ll get a haircut and not lose a limb. The red and white stripes have become iconic, even though their origin story reads more like the plot of a medieval horror movie.

Conclusion: Haircuts Have Never Been So Safe

The next time you’re in the barber’s chair, worried that they might cut your bangs too short, just remember: it could be worse. Much worse. Your modern barber might mess up your fade, but at least you won’t leave the shop missing a tooth, a pint of blood, or a leg. So, relax and be thankful that the most terrifying thing your barber holds is a pair of scissors—not a saw.