Turkish delight for a close shave

Most people wouldn't let a naked flame anywhere near their ears – but it is all part of the latest pampering treatment for men across the Black Country.

Wanna Haircut in Woodsetton, near Sedgley, is offering customers a traditional Turkish shave. It involves luxurious hot towels and a head massage, but first of all men have to brave the cut-throat razor and red-hot flames in their ears.

Owner Andy Gearing has brought over authentic Turkish barber Ozkan Tortop to teach him and his staff how to provide the authentic close shave.

He says: "I met Ozkan when I was out in Turkey and I thought he did such a wonderful job that I asked him if he wanted to come and work in the shop for a few weeks.

"I thought it would be good to have him come over here so we could learn from each other.

"He does a traditional shave with a hot towel and a cut-throat razor and he has been showing me a few techniques.

"In Turkey, shaving is an art and they are as common as hairdressers are in England.

"When most English men have a shave they stand in front of the mirror, pulling faces at themselves.

"But in Turkey they pinch the skin and this means the razor can get even closer and the skin is left really smooth."

Andy says every man should give the Turkish shave a go. "A lot of men wouldn't dare to use a cut-throat razor on themselves and we would never recommend anyone trying to burn the hair out of their own ears," he says.

"It is best to come to see Ozkan, while he is in England, and he can do it for them."

Andy, aged 45, says customers are enjoying having a head massage at the end of their shave.

"A lot of men would feel too intimidated to go to a beauty salon and ask for a massage," he says. "In Turkey around 70 per cent of the hairdresser's business is for head massages. "It leaves the customer feeling relaxed and happy – I'm surprised we haven't caught on to it in England."

Steve Colley, 42, is a plumber who lives near Sedgley. He was one of the first customers to try the Turkish shave.

"I have been for a couple of shaves when I have been on holiday in Turkey and they are fantastic," he says.

"My wife loves to have manicures and pedicures and so this is something for me to have." Ozkan, 24, says he has enjoyed the attention he has had from customers. "Everyone thinks it is something different, but to me it is just a normal part of life in Turkey," he says.

"When they first see the razor and the fire they are scared, but I enjoy doing a good job for them."

So, will Ozkan bring his shaving talents over the England and live in Dudley?

"I would like to come to England but there is one thing I miss about Turkey and that is the sun," he says. "Since I have been in England I have seen rain, wind and snow – it is crazy weather."