(
According to the American Association of Cosmetology Schools, more men are choosing careers in the industry.
Enrollment is projected to increase nearly 20 percent through 2020; that statistic includes the growing number of males in the field.
So why is this trend growing? A local male esthetician and a male cosmetologist gave some insight.
Alex White and Adam Probstfelb are two males in the cosmetology business and they are more than comfortable with it.
"I think that's a misconception a lot of people get that guys can't do the same thing," says White. "I'm sure it's the same thing for girls. I think everybody in this industry should be treated equally."
"I spent 13 years in the military and you know a lot of them want to go, 'Oh, you're getting into cosmetology or you're an esthetician; shouldn't you be from San Francisco,' or something like that, and I tell you, you get into it and it's all about skill."
White says people ask him about his career choice all the time.
"I've had a couple people kind of question, 'You're a male. Why are you cutting hair?'"
Probstfelb says it doesn't make a difference to him what people think.
"I don't notice a majority one way or another. I just see all students getting the job done. It's all about skill and a passion for what they do."
Bradley Dixon, director of the Salon Professional Academy, says he thinks the field is becoming so popular among men because of competition.
"There are less and less opportunities for the male dominated parts of our country. The jobs that were once dominated by men are dying out."
"All of your male celebrities are more comfortable with being groomed as opposed to 30-40 years ago when the only option they had was going to the barber and getting a shave and a splash of some aftershave and we know better than that now."
He says there isn't as much stereotyping in the industry anymore, thanks in part to some celebrities.
"There is no longer that because of the Tim Tebows."
There's also another major reason.
"Two words: job security. It's nice to be able to have a job that you know that you're not going to be beat out by a computer."
White says there's another stereotype beyond gender.
"If you go into Google and type in male stylists, I will guarantee you that the first 10 results that you get are how many stylists are gay or all-male stylists are gay."
Probstfelb says it's all about how you look at it.
"Go from serving our country to now serving people on a personal basis."
He says society is slowly adjusting to the trend.
"I think it's one of those hidden things like you've got women hockey players and it's the stereotypes that's kept the people out, now in today's society, no one's starting to really care."
Both White and Probstfelb agree that if you just keep an open mind you might be surprised.
"If you do get a male stylist or even a female, don't write them off based on looks or your previous conceptions of males or females."
