A Study on the Hair Removal Culture of Ancient Egypt

Chun, Hea Sook; Park, Kyu Mi

Journal of the Korean Society of Cosmetology 2013;19(1):125-134.
Published online February 28, 2013.

고대 이집트 제모문화에 관한 연구

전혜숙, 박규미

A Study on the Hair Removal Culture of Ancient Egypt

Hea Sook Chun, Kyu Mi Park

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to investigate the hair removal culture of ancient Egypt. For the purpose, this researcher conducted a literature review, analyzed relevant illustrations, wall drawings, reliefs and figure sculptures accommodated in museums and investigated tools for hair removal. Findings of the study can be summarized as follows. Though in an arid climate with desert, Egypt has the Nile river that periodically overflows, making the country have its own unique culture quite different from other regions. Ancient Egyptians invented many different methods of skin care. Keeping in mind the notion of cleaning based on medical knowledge, they tended to remove hairs from the skins of the head, face and the entire body. In the ancient nation, priests removed their hairs as a sign of modesty and all people other than the priests wore wigs after removing their hairs. All ancient Egyptian men, except Pharaoh, removed their beards. According to their medical knowledge, ancient Egyptians removed their eyebrows to protect the eyes. They also made up their eyes with cosmetic goods that contained medical ingredients. In ancient Egypt, hair removal from the entire body was a custom common in all people including priests. At that time, the main material of hair removal was a mixture of wax, sugaring, lime powders and grass wastes. And knifes and tweezers, made of stone or bronze, were the main tools for hair removal. Meanwhile, it`s recommendable that a future profound research is conducted on the hygienic and physiological effects that the hair removal methods of ancient Egypt had.

Key Words: Ancient egypt, Hair removal culture, Parts needing hair removal, Materials for hair removal, Tools for hair removal