I believe that the influence of social media has had a diluting effect on our industry, making it appear easier than it is and accessible to anyone. From a student's perspective, achieving 1500 hours of experience seems like a significant undertaking, requiring a considerable amount of time and prior expertise. This industry encompasses diverse avenues beyond the mastery of styling hair, a fact that I only became aware of upon entering school. Therefore, adjusting the required hours by subtracting hours seems impractical. In my opinion, setting the minimum requirement at 2000 hours, with an additional 500 hours dedicated to specialized training in skincare and nail services, would be more appropriate.

Furthermore, observing the high prices charged by stylists, which often exceed those of a visit to a healthcare professional, raises the question of why there is a proposal to reduce the required hours for licensure? I believe that this industry does not receive the level of respect it merits, which directly impacts the challenges associated with obtaining a license.