But what the TImes fails to mention is the  significant licensing requirements and barriers to entry in order to become a hairdesser.

The number of barber licenses across the country has been rising, with about 250,000 now, said Mr. Kirkpatrick of the Association of Barber Boards, up from 190,000 in the 1980s. Since 2008, the number of barber licenses in Maryland has increased by more than 60 percent to about 5,000 now, according to Phil Mazza, a member of the State Board of Cosmetologists.

Lest we not forget in some jurisdictions in order to work as a hair-weaver (essentially braiding hair), one needs to obtain a full cosmetology license, even though the cosmetology courses include no instruction on hair-weaving.