Lesson 1Personal protective equipment and ergonomic tool handling to reduce client irritation and barber strainExplore personal protective equipment and ergonomic handling to protect both client and barber. Learn glove and mask use, cape placement, posture, tool grip, and workstation layout to reduce irritation, strain, and long-term injury in your practice.
Gloves, masks, and eye protectionCapes and neck strips for hygieneNeutral posture and stool heightErgonomic clipper and scissor gripsCord management and tool placementMicro-breaks and stretch routinesLesson 2Guards, blades, and tapering: guard selection, blending methods, and clipper-over-comb basicsExplore how guards, blades, and tapering techniques shape beards. Learn guard selection by density, blending bulky areas, clipper-over-comb control, and how to avoid harsh lines while maintaining symmetry and natural-looking transitions for smooth finishes.
Guard numbering and length mappingChoosing guards for beard densityBlending bulky cheek and neck areasClipper-over-comb hand positioningCreating soft tapers and fadesCorrecting uneven or harsh linesLesson 3Pre-shave and shaving products: formulations, active ingredients, and allergy considerationsStudy pre-shave oils, creams, and gels, focusing on formulations and active ingredients. Learn how they affect glide, softening, and sensitivity, and how to screen for allergies, fragrance issues, and acne-prone or reactive skin to ensure safety.
Roles of pre-shave productsKey emollients and humectantsSoothing and anti-inflammatory agentsFragrances, dyes, and sensitizersChoosing for acne-prone clientsAllergy screening and patch testingLesson 4Scissors and thinning shears: types, points of use, and safe cutting techniquesUnderstand scissors and thinning shears for beard shaping. Learn blade types, tension adjustment, and safe hand positions. Practice point cutting, slide cutting, and bulk removal while protecting skin and preserving natural beard lines carefully.
Scissor types and blade profilesSetting tension and screw checksFinger placement and grip safetyPoint cutting for soft edgesUsing thinning shears for bulkAvoiding over-thinning patchesLesson 5Shaving gels, creams, and lathering techniques for sensitive skinLearn how to choose gels, creams, and soaps for sensitive skin and dense beards. Practice lathering methods with brush or hands, water temperature control, and glide testing to reduce tugging, razor burn, and post-shave redness effectively.
Gel vs cream vs soap performanceReading labels for sensitive skinBrush vs brushless lather methodsWater ratio and lather consistencyPatch testing for irritation riskImproving glide on dense beardsLesson 6Combs, brushes, and styling tools: selection for density and sensitive skinDiscover how to choose combs, brushes, and heat tools for different beard densities and skin sensitivities. Learn tooth spacing, bristle stiffness, and when to use blow-dryers or heated brushes without causing breakage or irritation in humid weather.
Tooth spacing for curl and densityBristle types for sensitive skinDetangling without breakageUsing blow-dryers on beardsHeated brushes and safety limitsCleaning and storing styling toolsLesson 7Straight razor and safety razor: blade selection, stropping/honing basics, and disposables handlingMaster straight and safety razor use for beard work. Learn blade types, sharpness levels, stropping and basic honing, safe loading and disposal of blades, and how to maintain angles that reduce nicks while shaping lines precisely and safely.
Razor types and ideal beard usesBlade coatings and sharpness levelsStropping basics for straight razorsIntro to honing and edge inspectionSafe blade loading and disposalAngle, pressure, and stroke controlLesson 8Clippers and trimmers: models, blade sizes, maintenance, lubrication, and heat managementLearn clipper and trimmer types, motor strengths, and blade sizes, plus how to clean, align, and lubricate them. Understand heat management, cord versus cordless use, and how to avoid irritation and accidental cuts on beards during long sessions.
Rotary vs magnetic motor clippersBeard-focused trimmer featuresBlade sizes and cutting lengthsZero-gapping and blade alignmentCleaning, oiling, and rust preventionManaging heat and avoiding irritationLesson 9Sanitizing tools between uses: recommended agents for metal, plastic, and fabric toolsUnderstand how to sanitize metal, plastic, and fabric tools between clients. Learn the difference between cleaning and disinfection, contact times, storage, and how to prevent cross-contamination while protecting tools from damage and corrosion in daily use.
Cleaning vs disinfection vs sterilizationApproved agents for metal toolsSafe disinfectants for plasticsHandling capes, towels, and fabricsContact time and drying proceduresLabeling, storage, and log keepingLesson 10Aftershaves, balms, oils, and moisturizers: ingredient functions and choosing non-irritating formulationsLearn how aftershaves, balms, oils, and moisturizers calm skin and condition beards. Compare alcohol-based and alcohol-free options, understand ingredient roles, and choose non-irritating formulas for sensitive, dry, or oily skin types common in Ghana.
Alcohol vs alcohol-free aftershavesBalms for dry or reactive skinBeard oils: carriers and scentsLightweight moisturizers for beardsAvoiding pore-clogging ingredientsBuilding simple post-shave routines
