90% of Men in the UK Consider Their Hair to be a Big Part of Their Identity

In a society where personal identity is deeply interwoven with our appearance, it comes as no surprise that men across the UK are feeling increasingly self-conscious about visible signs of hair thinning and loss. With almost 90% of men considering their hair a vital part of their identity, this issue has sparked a nationwide conversation. Research commissioned by Toppik for 2023, ahead of National Hair Loss Awareness Month (August 2023) and Men’s Grooming Day (18th August 2023), revealed that men consider their hair to be an important part of their identity, and therefore feel self-conscious in public when they are experiencing any type of hair thinning/loss.

The survey revealed that 6.5 million men in the UK are currently experiencing hair thinning and balding. As men confront these changes, over half find themselves self-conscious, seeking ways to preserve their appearance and identity. Almost 90% of men surveyed (88%) consider their hair to be a part of their identity, with nearly half of men (48%) feeling very self-conscious about their appearance when they begin their hair thinning/loss journey. It was revealed that over half of men surveyed (58%) first started to notice their hair visibly thinning asthey were getting older and entering their careers. As a result of this, over a quarter of men (30%) admitted to taking the first steps toward prevention within the first six-months of noticing visible thinning, largely due to the fact that, sadly, they felt very self-conscious when socialising (51%) and they needed to maintain their appearance so that friends and family would not start to notice (31%).

With such a high number of men experiencing hair thinning/loss in the UK, there is a clear need to break down the barriers; encouraging conversation and educating on products available that help men cope.

Whilst the male hair thinning and loss topic is growing, sadly only 36% of men surveyed feeling somewhat comfortable talking to male peers about their hair journey. Of those male peers, it was revealed that nearly half of men (42%)would feel most comfortable confiding in their partner, with 37% of men feel comfortable discussing their hair with friends.

No stranger to the world of stunning red-carpet transformations, celebrity hairstylist Ricky Walters, the creative genius behind dazzling looks for stars like Joel Dommett, Iain Stirling, Laura Whitmore, and Rose Ayling-Ellis, joins hands with Toppik for 2023. His invaluable expertise has enabled clients to embrace thicker, fuller-looking hair that commands attention both on and off the red carpet.

Ricky comments: “Like most people, my hair is a huge part of my identity. It is an  accessory we all love to dress and never take off. It can act as a confidence booster and  also a security blanket. I deal with clients and their hair needs everyday and love it or  hate it, they would never want to lose it.  

I have won over some incredible clients in my time, not because I did the world’s best  haircut, but because I was skilled at hiding thinning areas and bald spots. My male clients  call upon my expertise to build a bespoke haircut designed with their needs in mind. My  clients are open and honest about their hair loss and often, they need an understanding  ear. 

I have male and female clients alike suffering from hair loss. Although they all think it is a rarity, it is indeed a very  common concern. Partnering with Toppik was a seamless choice for me. Toppik not only saves my clients, but also  shows off my handwork. My clients who are in the public eye are often on red-carpets or under studio lighting, so  they cannot afford to risk worrying about thinning hair on show.” 

As hairdressers and hairstylists, you wield the power to empower your clients with the knowledge and tools to embrace their unique hair journeys with the ability to offer solutions that lead the way, you can offer your clients newfound confidence and pride in every strand.