Can you get cuts and nicks from scissors or blades in a barber school or a barbershop?

Short answer is yes. It’s very rare but it is possible. There must be some statistic out there somewhere.

But in reality it’s happened in our academy 3 or 4 times in over 14 years. That’s with 30 odd clients a day, every day of the week. So the chances are very slim. We take great care in teaching students to avoid easy mistakes that can cause a cut or nick.

So what’s the most common cause for clients getting nicked? Fidgeting, sudden movements and being hungover. To avoid these situations please listen to the barber when you’re asked to keep still for the delicate areas of your cut. Shaves being the most obvious but also around the ears. Don’t chew gum as this moves your jawline which in turn moves the ears. You don’t even notice you’re doing it.

Another reason is naturally the students being nervous so the best way to help is relax and let them get on with it without distractions. They aren’t fully experienced in the fine art of barbering and chewing the fat combined. So at times let them concentrate.

Our tutors are always on hand to help if necessary and look after students and clients if such a mistake occurs. You may not realise the effect it has on students who’ve cut or nicked a client. They are devastated and it really knocks their confidence so please try to be understanding. Mistakes can happen, even professional barbers can cut you. Everyone makes mistakes sometimes.

It shouldn’t be needed to be said but all equipment and tools are sanitised in a modern barber shop or school. So infections are not a worry. The biggest worry is the shock and remember that ears bleed easily due to the amount of blood capillaries in the ear lobes. It looks much worse than it actually is and can easily stopped with tissue paper and some lotions.

If you have any medical condition where you bleed easily, or have a hangover with brings blood to the surface, or just suffer fromnervous please let a tutor know when you arrive. it also may be better for you and the student’s confidence and learning to go to a paid professional barber where they may have more experience in dealing with clients with anxiety.

We certainly aren’t Sweeney Todd inspired and we certainly don’t want you feel upset. But mistakes can happen so please don’t blame the student if they are acting in a professional way.

If you do get a cut, we fill an accident form out as part of our health and safety procedure and we’ll take photos to record the situation.

When you book a haircut the terms and conditions are available and also at the bottom of this page.

Bottom line is this: cuts and nicks are rare and we do all we can to make your cut n shave a relaxed and pleasurable experience.