Why More Japanese Men Are Choosing Body Hair Removal During Japan’s Hotter Summers

Japan’s increasingly intense summer weather is influencing more than travel plans, clothing choices and energy use. It is also changing the way some men approach personal grooming.

Men’s hair removal clinics in Japan are reporting stronger demand for treatments that target body hair, particularly on the legs. The shift comes as temperatures climb and more men become comfortable wearing shorts and lighter clothing during the hottest months of the year.

The growing interest in hair removal reflects a combination of practical concerns and changing attitudes toward male grooming. For some customers, removing body hair is not simply about appearance. It is also about feeling more comfortable in hot and humid conditions.

Heat is changing summer grooming habits

Japan has experienced increasingly severe summer heat in recent years. Last year, the country recorded a national temperature record of 41.8°C, highlighting the intensity of conditions that residents can face during the warmer months.

In that environment, even small changes to clothing and daily routines can feel significant. Lightweight clothes, shorter trousers and shorts can provide greater comfort, but they also expose more of the body.

That has helped create an environment in which leg and body hair removal can become more noticeable as a grooming option.

According to reporting by The Independent, men's beauty clinics in Japan have seen increased interest in treatments beyond the face. Gorilla Clinic, a chain specialising in men's aesthetic treatments, has reportedly experienced particularly strong demand for body hair removal.

The clinic operates locations across Japan, and staff have observed that appointments that once remained readily available are now becoming more difficult to secure during the busy season.

From facial grooming to full-body treatments

Men's hair removal is not entirely new in Japan. Facial hair treatments have been popular for years, particularly among men interested in maintaining a clean and carefully groomed appearance.

What appears to be changing is the range of body areas being treated.

Hiroyuki Ota, a director at Gorilla Clinic's Ginza location in Tokyo, told The Independent that facial hair removal had traditionally been among the most requested services. More recently, however, customers have increasingly shown interest in other parts of the body.

Lower-leg treatments are one example.

Data cited in the report from Hot Pepper Beauty, one of Japan's major beauty booking and review platforms, indicated that slightly more than one-quarter of men surveyed had undergone lower-leg hair removal during the previous year.

That figure suggests that body grooming is becoming a more established part of men's beauty routines rather than being viewed as an unusual or niche practice.

Comfort and appearance are both factors

For some men, the motivation is straightforward: they want to feel less uncomfortable during hot weather.

Yuki Kubo, a 24-year-old office worker interviewed by Reuters for the report, described hair removal as part of a New Year's resolution made with friends. By the time of the interview, he was receiving his fourth treatment on his legs.

The appeal was not limited to appearance. Kubo reportedly felt that removing the hair made him look cleaner while also reducing the discomfort associated with sweating.

This combination of aesthetics and practicality may help explain why the trend is gaining traction.

Grooming choices are often shaped by several factors at once. Someone may begin treatment because they prefer a particular appearance, then continue because they like the way their skin feels in summer clothing. Others may simply find smooth legs more comfortable when temperatures remain high.

Changing attitudes toward men's clothing

Another factor is the changing role of shorts in everyday Japanese life.

Shorts have traditionally carried different social expectations in Japan compared with some Western countries. They could be associated with children, leisure activities or visits to the beach rather than being considered appropriate for every adult setting.

That attitude appears to be evolving as hotter summers encourage people to prioritise comfort.

Government initiatives have also encouraged lighter clothing. Japan's long-running Cool Biz campaign promoted less formal summer workwear, including the removal of ties and jackets, as part of efforts to reduce the need for excessive air conditioning.

The Tokyo metropolitan government has continued to encourage lighter clothing as temperatures rise.

As shorts and other summer clothing become more practical, grooming choices that were previously less visible can become more relevant.

A broader shift in men's beauty culture

The Japanese market is part of a wider global change in men's attitudes toward skincare, grooming and cosmetic treatments.

For decades, beauty services were often marketed primarily toward women. That distinction has gradually weakened as more men have become interested in skincare, hair removal, manicures, cosmetic procedures and other personal-care services.

Japan has developed a particularly visible market for men's grooming, with specialist clinics offering treatments designed specifically for male customers.

Laser-based and other professional hair-removal treatments can require multiple appointments, meaning that increased demand can translate into longer waiting times during peak periods.

For clinics, that makes summer an important commercial season. For customers, it can mean planning treatments well before the hottest part of the year.

Is hair removal actually a solution to heat?

It is important not to overstate the connection between body hair and temperature.

Removing hair should not be considered a substitute for recognised heat-safety measures. During periods of extreme weather, staying hydrated, avoiding excessive exposure to direct sunlight, taking breaks in cooler environments and following local heat-health guidance remain far more important.

Body hair also has biological functions, including a role in protecting the skin. Whether removing it makes a person meaningfully cooler can vary according to circumstances, and personal comfort should not be confused with a medically established method of preventing heat-related illness.

The attraction for many customers may therefore be less about lowering body temperature and more about reducing the sensation of sweat, improving comfort or achieving a preferred appearance.

Summer may accelerate an existing trend

The latest rise in demand does not necessarily mean Japanese men have suddenly discovered hair removal. Instead, the extreme heat may be accelerating an existing movement toward more varied approaches to male grooming.

As social attitudes become more flexible and summer clothing becomes lighter, body hair is increasingly visible. At the same time, younger consumers may be more familiar with beauty treatments than previous generations.

That combination can make professional hair removal feel increasingly ordinary.

The story also illustrates how climate and consumer behaviour can interact in unexpected ways. A hotter summer can influence everything from electricity consumption and workplace clothing to travel patterns and personal grooming.

For Japan's men's beauty industry, the result is a growing number of customers looking beyond traditional facial grooming and considering treatments for their legs and other parts of the body.

Whether the trend continues beyond the summer months remains to be seen. But the combination of rising temperatures, changing clothing habits and evolving attitudes toward male beauty has clearly created new demand for Japan's hair-removal clinics.

Source

The Independent on 21 August 2026, Reuters, including comments from a Tokyo men's beauty clinic and data from Hot Pepper Beauty.

Disclaimer

This article is a rewritten and independently worded summary of the supplied source material. It is not a reproduction of the original article. Figures, quotations and claims are attributed to the source as reported and should be checked against the original publication for the latest context. The article is intended for general informational purposes only and does not provide medical advice. Hair removal should not be regarded as a treatment for heat-related illness or as a replacement for standard precautions during extreme temperatures.