[First Public Release of Survey Data] The End of the 'Fear of Being Teased' Era: Approximately 80% of Men with Thinning Hair Have Already Confided in Someone

SARUTAHIKO, a barber specializing in thinning hair (operated by SARUTAHIKO Co., Ltd., located at Nishimura Building 602, 7-10-10 Nishi-Shinjuku, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo, represented by Director Zenichi Sasaki), has compiled and analyzed interview data from 304 valid customer samples and is releasing the results.

The common belief that 'thinning hair is a problem to be suffered alone' is becoming a thing of the past. In the past, many men worried about thinning hair couldn't confide in anyone, fearing being teased at work or by friends, and suffered alone in front of the mirror. However, this survey found that approximately 80% of men with thinning hair have already confided in someone about their worries.

On the other hand, it was also found that over 40% of men, despite their worries, are 'not taking any measures.' They have become able to consult about thinning hair, but they haven't yet taken action. This survey analyzes the real situation of these men based on data from 304 individuals.

Survey Overview

Report on data collection and analysis results unique to SARUTAHIKO Co., Ltd.

Item
Details

Survey Name
Actual Condition Survey of Men with Thinning Hair (Total count of pre-visit interviews)

Valid Sample Size
304 people

Survey Period
July 9, 2025 - April 15, 2026 (10 months)

Survey Method
Self-response on interview sheets by visiting customers

Residence
Approximately 80% from the Tokyo metropolitan area (Tokyo, Chiba, Saitama, Kanagawa), of which 58.6% from Tokyo

Implementing Body
SARUTAHIKO Co., Ltd.

Aggregation Date
May 15, 2026

◾️ Survey Result (1): 'Over 40% of Men with Thinning Hair Are Not Taking Any Measures'

Results regarding measures taken for their own thinning hair.

When asked, 'What measures are you currently taking for your thinning hair?', 'Not doing anything in particular' was the most common answer, significantly surpassing AGA treatment (33.2%) and hair growth agents (22.8%). This reveals that the largest group of men are those who are worried but have not yet taken action.

Many are doing nothing in particular; hair transplants and wigs were less common.

Men who are worried but unable to do anything form the largest group. This is the current reality in Japan. The unheard voices of 'I don't know what to do' and 'I don't know where to consult' are condensed in this 42.6% figure.

So, what do these men truly need?

◾️ Survey Result (2): '86.5% Want to Make Thinning Hair Less Noticeable' – What Men Seek is 'Appearance' Rather Than 'Cure'

Without resorting to treatment or major measures, they desire to improve their visual impression within the scope of men's haircuts and hairstyling.

When asked, 'What kind of styling do you prefer?', 'I want to make thinning hair less noticeable' was overwhelmingly the most common answer, followed by 'I want to maintain a clean look' (64.1%). This indicates that the mainstream need is to 'change the way it looks' starting today, rather than to 'cure' it medically.

Furthermore, interviews with stylists on-site revealed many requests like 'I want to know how to do everyday hairstyling,' confirming the high demand for making thinning hair less noticeable.

The 86.5% figure clearly shows that the top priority for men worried about thinning hair is 'improving the impression they make on others.' Cleanliness and impression are issues directly linked to work, relationships, and self-esteem. Behind the words 'I want to make thinning hair less noticeable' lies the earnest wish to 'stand confidently in front of people again.'

◾️ Survey Result (3): 'Approximately 80% of Men with Thinning Hair Have Already Confided in Someone – The Era of Silence is Over'

When asked, 'Have you ever consulted anyone about your thinning hair?', approximately 80% of men answered 'Yes.' This surprising result overturns the conventional image of 'a problem to be suffered alone' and highlights that thinning hair has shifted from an 'era of hiding' to an 'era of consultation.'

On the other hand, a gap was revealed: over 40% of men (Survey Result (1)) can consult but have not 'taken action.' Now that they can voice their concerns, places that encourage that first step are necessary.

◾️ Other Notable Data

Types of thinning hair concerns (multiple answers, n=300): 'Thinner than before' was the most common at 48.7%, followed by 'M-shaped baldness' at 42.7% and 'O-shaped baldness' at 38.3%, highlighting that many men suffer from progressive thinning.

Future measures to consider (n=92): 'Nothing in particular' was the most common at 47.8%. This clearly shows a cautious attitude towards existing measures and reaffirms the need for specialized, low-barrier consultation services.

■ Summary: Thinning hair has shifted from a 'hidden worry' to a 'consultable worry.' What is needed now is a place that supports the first step towards action.

This survey of 304 men has highlighted the real situation: 'They can consult, but they can't take action.'

In the past, thinning hair was a 'silent worry' – men suffered alone in front of the mirror, unable to tell anyone, fearing being teased at work or by friends. However, this survey revealed that approximately 80% (79.3%) have already consulted someone, showing that thinning hair has moved from an 'era of hiding' to an 'era of consultation.'

On the other hand, even now that they can consult, the reality is that 42.6% are 'not taking any measures.' It is noteworthy that this figure comes from an 'active group' who have already visited a specialized thinning hair salon. Even among those who took the first step, 40% are doing nothing – the background is an unvoiced confusion: 'I don't know what to do' and 'I don't know where to consult.'

And what they seek is not a medical 'cure.' 86.5% answered 'I want to make thinning hair less noticeable,' and beyond that lies the wish to 'stand confidently in front of people again.' In other words, what men with thinning hair truly need is not major treatment, but a safe place to consult that can change their appearance starting today and support their first step towards action.

The reality is that out of 380,000 barber and beauty salons nationwide in Japan, fewer than 100 specialize in thinning hair. People have gained the courage to consult. The next step is how many places we can create to receive that first step – not to hide thinning hair, but to bring out the person's inherent charm. Creating a society where all men can stand tall and be themselves is what is needed now.

◾️ Message from Zenichi Sasaki, Representative of SARUTAHIKO Co., Ltd.

'In this survey, 86.5% of respondents said they 'want to make thinning hair less noticeable.' This is exactly what I have been feeling on the ground in Ginza. You don't have to wait for treatment; you can change how it looks with millimeter-precision cuts. I have heard many times from customers who said, 'Changing my hairstyle closed a business deal' or 'I got promoted.' There is something you can do today. I opened this shop to convey that message.'

◾️ About SARUTAHIKO, the Barber Specializing in Thinning Hair

Entrance to the SARUTAHIKO Shinjuku store