Barbiere

Barbiere is the Italian term for a barber, a tradesperson who cuts men's hair, styles beards and mustaches, and performs facial shaving. Typical services include haircutting, beard trimming, hot towel shaves, neck cleansups, and grooming consultations. Barbiere work with tools such as clippers, scissors, straight razors, shaving brushes, combs, and shaving soaps, often in a shop setting that emphasizes a masculine grooming environment.

Historically, barbering evolved from barber-surgeons in medieval Europe who combined hair cutting with medical procedures such as bloodletting. Over time, barbering separated from surgery and developed as a dedicated trade with guilds and apprenticeships. In many countries, licensure governs practice and safety standards, while the rise of modern barbershops emphasizes specialized hair care, beard care, and traditional shaves rather than a broad medical role.

In contemporary Italy, the term Barbiere refers to male barbering; there are also female practitioners in the broader field of hairdressing. The profession has a global presence, with variations in service styles and rituals; the barber's pole, a common symbol in barber culture, traces its origins to barber-surgeons. Barbiere adapt to trends while maintaining classic techniques, often offering product lines and personalized grooming advice.