Why Men's Hair Removal Is Growing: Motivations, Age Trends, and Popular Areas
Why more men in Japan are getting hair removal, how their reasons differ from women's, rough usage rates by age group, and popular treatment areas. Includes a note on nose-hair removal safety.
What was updated
Published an overview of men's hair removal motivations, age-group trends, popular areas, and nose-hair removal safety.
What this article covers
Hair removal used to be seen as a mostly female service, but the number of male clients in Japan (often called "mens datsumo") has grown significantly in recent years. This article covers:
- How men's and women's reasons for getting hair removal tend to differ
- Rough usage trends by age group
- Popular treatment areas among men
- What to know before removing nose hair
- How this connects to men's esthe
This article includes editorial opinion
The rates and figures in this article are rough industry-cited estimates, not numbers drawn from a specific official survey. Actual usage rates vary by salon and by study, so treat these as reference points rather than precise statistics.
Short answer: hair removal has shifted from "styling" to a practical grooming investment
Men's hair removal used to be associated with a small, fashion-conscious segment of clients. Today, it's more commonly framed as a time-saving alternative to daily shaving, or as a way to maintain the kind of grooming expected in business settings — spreading across a much wider age range.
Motivations differ between men and women
Common reasons for men
- Skipping daily shaving and saving time: reducing morning shaving time and avoiding razor-burn irritation are frequently cited as the top reasons.
- Improving overall grooming: tidying up arm, leg, chest, or neck hair for a better impression at work or in short-sleeve seasons.
- Reducing discomfort in the VIO area, or "care-focused" removal: beyond reducing sweat and odor, a growing number of middle-aged and older men are said to be considering hair removal partly to reduce the burden of personal care later in life.
Common reasons for women
- Reducing self-care effort and preventing skin issues: avoiding the darkening or dryness that can come from shaving or plucking.
- Fashion and exposure: being able to wear swimwear, sleeveless tops, or backless outfits without worrying about hair.
How the client base has shifted
Women are still said to make up the majority of hair removal clients industry-wide, but the men's market has reportedly grown fast enough that men now account for close to 30–40% of clients at some major salons and clinics.
Many salons cater specifically to men who feel uncomfortable being around female clients, offering an all-male staff and clientele (or male-only clients with female staff), which is said to make the experience easier to approach for many men.
Rough usage rates by age group
Averaged across all ages, usage is often cited at around 10–20%, but younger age groups are said to show noticeably higher rates.
| Age group | Rough estimated experience rate | Common pattern |
|---|---|---|
| 20s | ~40–50% | Often described as a natural extension of skincare — "friends do it too" or wanting to skip the hassle of shaving |
| 30s | ~30–40% | Often linked to improving grooming for sales roles, dating, or starting after marriage once time and money allow |
| 40s | ~20% | Often centered on maintaining grooming with age, or reducing chest and leg hair |
| 50s and older | ~10% | A growing number are said to start before going gray (since laser treatment responds to dark hair) or with future care needs in mind |
Popular treatment areas among men (rough ranking)
- Beard/facial hair: by far the most popular, often for reducing shadow, preventing razor burn, and saving time each morning.
- Legs (calves and thighs): for a cleaner look in shorts, or simply to thin out a heavy growth rather than remove it entirely.
- VIO (intimate area): increasingly popular for reducing sweat, odor, and discomfort during sports.
- Arms and hands (including fingers): areas that are visible during handshakes, business-card exchanges, desk work, or using a phone.
Is it a bad idea to remove all nose hair?
If you look into nose-hair removal, salons and clinics that offer it do exist. That said, nose hair is said to serve a real filtering function — blocking dust and viruses and helping keep the inside of the nose from drying out.
Removing hair too far back is said to increase the risk of catching colds more easily or dealing with a runnier nose. For that reason, professional treatments typically focus only on the hair visible just inside the entrance (roughly the first centimeter), rather than clearing everything. If this concerns you, it's worth confirming the exact treatment area during a consultation.
How this connects to men's esthe
Body hair also matters for men's esthe visits. During oil massage, thicker body hair can increase friction and require more oil. Our article on what therapists really think about hairy male clients covers this in more detail.
If starting full hair removal feels like a big step, even trimming with a depilatory cream can make oil treatments go more smoothly — see our guide to men's hair removal cream in Japan.
If you're ready to compare full hair removal salons, our comparison of Japan's major men's esthe chains covers the main options.
Frequently asked questions
Is men's hair removal painful?
Pain tolerance varies by person, and the treatment method (IPL, laser, etc.) also affects how it feels. If you're concerned, ask about pain management options during your consultation.
Is there an age limit for starting hair removal?
There's generally no strict age limit, though minors typically need parental consent. Check the specific salon or clinic's policy.
Can I have all my nose hair removed?
Since nose hair serves a filtering function, professional treatments typically only address the hair visible near the entrance. Ask about the risks of more extensive removal during a consultation if you're considering it.
