Teen Hair trends Drive Barber Shop Boom Across Quebec
Montreal, QC – A surge in demand for specialized haircuts, fueled by social media trends on platforms like tiktok and Instagram, is driving a meaningful increase in young clientele at barber shops across Quebec. The trend is so pronounced that barber schools are seeing a wave of applicants as young as 13, eager to enter the profession.
The rise in popularity isn’t just a fleeting fad; it represents a shift in how young men approach grooming. traditionally, parents often dictated hairstyles, but today’s teens are arriving at barber shops with a precise vision, often inspired by videos they’ve seen online.This isn’t simply about wanting a haircut – it’s about staying current with rapidly evolving trends.
“With social media, they always want to be on top of thier hair,” explains Pierre-Luc bergeron, owner of Salon Looké in Laval. This sentiment is echoed by Mathieu Courtemanche, owner of Les Barbares, a chain of barbershops in the Greater Montreal area, who notes a “considerable increase in traffic” among those aged 15 and under over the past five years.
The demand isn’t for simple trims. Young customers are seeking complex and stylized cuts, requiring a higher level of skill and technique. “Young people are aware of what they want,and they’re looking for a very specific service,” Courtemanche states,differentiating the experience from conventional hair salons. Émilie Drapeau, owner of Vinnie’s Chopshop in Longueuil, confirms this, noting that teens frequently present TikTok videos as inspiration.
Interestingly, the knowledge isn’t flowing one way. Younger clients are often ahead of the curve, introducing barbers to emerging trends. “They’re so fast and up to date that they often come up with things that even we haven’t seen yet,” says Courtemanche, a 23-year veteran of the industry.William Anthony Delorme, owner of a salon in Montreal’s Plateau-Mont-Royal, adds that teens are fluent in barbering terminology – “fades,” specific cut names – that frequently enough eludes their parents.
this increased demand is also impacting the barbering profession itself. Courtemanche, who also co-owns five Usine Académie barber schools, reports that approximately 30% of his next student cohort is aged 16-17. While the minimum training age is 16, applications from 13-year-olds are common, demonstrating a growing interest in the trade.The complexity of the requested cuts is also elevating the standards within the profession, highlighting the importance of skilled scissor work and specialized training.
Key Details Not Explicitly Mentioned in the Original Article:
The article was originally published August 6, 2025. This provides a future context for understanding the trend’s longevity.
The specific platforms driving the trend are TikTok and Instagram. This clarifies the source of inspiration for the hairstyles.
The article highlights a potential skills gap. The demand for complex cuts necessitates a highly skilled workforce, perhaps creating a need for more advanced training programs.
The article implicitly suggests a potential economic impact. The boom in barber shop traffic and barber school enrollment indicates growth within the grooming industry.
