Barber Uses a Lighter to Give a Haircut

Through the years I've noticed that every time I get a haircut there seems to be less and less hair for my stylist to cut, not to mention most of that hair is more salt than pepper. But, even if I had a lot of hair to cut I don't think I'd opt for this barber and his 'lighter' side to cutting hair.  Not to mention, isn't the smell of burning hair a bit unpleasant?