Choosing a Hair Salon in an Era When AI-Generated Hairstyles Are Becoming Indistinguishable from Real Ones
Please take a look at the photo used in this blog post.
Do you think this hairstyle is real?
It was actually created by AI.
A few years ago, most people would have assumed without hesitation that it was a real photograph.
But things are different now.
AI has advanced to the point where it can create images that are almost impossible to distinguish from real photos.
For better or worse, the beauty industry is no exception.
In the past, photos used on salon websites and advertisements were typically created using real models.
Salons would organize photoshoots or rent studios for professional photography sessions.
Time and money were invested to showcase real hairstyles.
Later, as Instagram became popular, more salons began taking photos of actual clients with smartphones and sharing them online.
Now, however, we live in an era where ideal hairstyle photos can be created easily using AI.
Short hair, bobs, men’s cuts, perms, and hair color.
Salons can generate as many images as they want, tailored to the type of clients they hope to attract.
The gap between AI-generated images and real photographs will continue to shrink, and the day when nobody can tell the difference is probably not far away.
We Have Entered an Era Where Photos Alone Are Not Enough
Of course, AI itself is not a bad thing.
It is a useful technology, and I personally use it when writing.
However, there is something clients should pay attention to.
That is:
“Does this hairdresser actually have the skills shown in these photos?”
That is the important question.
You might visit a salon after seeing ideal hairstyle images created by AI, only to find that the result cannot actually be reproduced.
The final result may feel different from what you expected.
Situations like this may become more common in the future.
Because judging a salon based on photos alone is becoming increasingly difficult.
That is why I have recently reduced the amount of hairstyle photography I use to promote myself.
Instead, I have been focusing more on writing this blog.
How I think about my work.
Why I make certain recommendations.
What I value most.
I want to communicate those things instead.
Choosing the Person Matters More Than Ever
The more AI advances, the easier it becomes for anyone to create impressive images and technical information.
Translation becomes easier too.
Language barriers continue to become smaller.
That is why I believe what ultimately remains important is the person behind the work.
Who they are.
What experiences they have had.
What values they hold.
Why they do what they do.
The more convenient our digital society becomes, the more important human connection will become.
The warmth of another person.
The experience of genuinely connecting with someone.
I believe the value of these things will only continue to grow.
A hair salon is a place where people get their hair cut, but it is not only that.
A place to talk about concerns.
A place to try something new.
A place to feel more positive about yourself.
It is a profession built on human relationships.
No matter how advanced AI becomes, I do not think that part can be easily replaced.
That is why I want to continue sharing not only:
“What kind of hairstyles I can create.”
But also:
“How I think and how I approach my clients.”
Those are the things I want to communicate.
There are things that photos alone cannot tell you.
And I believe those things will become increasingly important when choosing a hair salon in the years ahead.
