Ingrown Hairs and Tweezers: Greek Personal Care
Ancient Greeks used tweezers to pluck out ingrown hairs—and archaeologists have found the proof.
Jacques Louis David — "The Death of Socrates" (1787), public domain
Tweezers in the Grave
Tiny bronze and iron tweezers have turned up in Greek graves, sometimes still nestled in toiletry kits. For both men and women, grooming was serious business long before mirrors were common household items.
Hair Removal as Medicine
Hippocratic medical texts mention plucking hairs to treat infected follicles and skin problems. Grooming wasn’t just cosmetic—it doubled as home medicine, blending beauty with practical health care in daily Greek life.
Metal tweezers show up in Greek archaeological digs, sometimes tucked into graves. Personal grooming kits were real, and not just for the rich—everyone from athletes to everyday workers owned basic tools for removing unwanted hair. Greeks were so concerned about body hair (and hygiene) that plucking was part of both beauty and medical routines.
