1 in 5 men suffer from "hairdresser anxiety." They're afraid to talk about it.

One in five men feels anxious just thinking about getting a haircut. Sounds surprising? But it is. Research shows that the barber's chair can be as emotionally demanding for men as asking for a raise.

While the stereotype suggests that women spend hours pondering hairstyle changes, the reality is different. A survey of two thousand Americans found that as many as 21% of men experience "haircut anxiety," or the stress associated with visiting a hairdresser. One in four admits to being afraid to ask for a specific look, even if they've longed for it. More often than not, this ends in compromise—instead of a bold change, men opt for a more subtle version.

It's no wonder so many men stick with a single, trusted specialist. Over half (57%) say they have a favorite hairdresser they trust implicitly. One in three treats them almost like a family member, and for 16%, they consider them a close friend. Because a hairdresser isn't just someone who holds a pair of scissors – they're someone who can advise on whether a particular hairstyle suits their face shape (40%), explain how often to trim (37%), and even explain the mysterious numbers on the clippers' heads (31%).

What is the phenomenon

The average? Ten visits a year, and one hairstyle lasted for… seven years. Men tend to be even more faithful to their hairstyles than to their wives. Despite this, nearly half (45%) have considered a change at some point, though usually with a great deal of caution. Interestingly, 88% admit that the end result of a haircut meets their expectations – especially when they've shown the barber a photo of their dream hairstyle beforehand.

And what do men prioritize when they do decide to transform their hair? They most often choose growing their hair out (28%) or—in the complete opposite direction— shaving their heads completely (22%) . Partings are also still fashionable—both classic side (13%) and center (13%) . A crew cut and a short buzz cut (11%) also make appearances.

The research reveals another important conclusion: despite their fears, a staggering 84% of men feel confident with their hairstyle . This proves that hairstyles are not just about hair, but also a part of identity and a source of self-confidence.