"Afraid to Visit the Salon": Soaring Prices Lead to Sighs... Men's Haircut Fees Up 5.5% in One Year

Rising Labor, Rent, and Material Costs Fuel Price Hikes
"Value-for-Money Salons" Gain Popularity Amid Mounting Haircut Expenses

As prices continue to rise for dining out and various daily services amid persistent inflation, consumers are feeling an increased burden as even haircut fees at hair salons are going up.

The photo is not related to any specific content of the article. Pixabay

According to Chimgakgyeok, the comprehensive price information portal of the Korea Consumer Agency, on August 10, the cost of a men's haircut in Seoul in June was 13,231 won per visit. This represents a 5.5% increase compared to the same period last year (12,540 won).

The cost for women's beauty services is also on the rise. In June, the average women's beauty service fee in Seoul was 24,462 won, up 3.3% from 23,692 won a year earlier.

Gangwon Province recorded the highest fee in the country. The cost of a men's haircut in Gangwon was 16,444 won, up 4.2% compared to the same period last year (15,778 won). Other regions such as Jeonnam (15,556 won), Daejeon (15,600 won), and Gwangju (15,200 won) also exceeded the 15,000 won mark.

The industry cites rising labor costs, rent, and raw material prices as reasons for the increase in beauty service prices. Industry sources explained that prices have risen due to the increased cost of consumables like perm solutions, hair dye, and shampoo used in salons, combined with higher labor and rent expenses.

Additionally, price fluctuations of international crude oil and petrochemical products caused by instability in the Middle East can add to the cost pressures for the industry. This is because plastic containers and surfactants used in shampoos, conditioners, and treatments are affected by changes in petrochemical raw material prices.

Other factors identified as raising actual payment amounts include the fee structure that varies greatly depending on the designer’s rank, extra charges based on hair length or hair damage, and separate billing for shampoo.

Meanwhile, as the price burden grows, more consumers are turning to so-called "value-for-money salons" that advertise relatively inexpensive services. Blue Club, a men's hair salon chain maintaining low prices between 10,000 and 12,000 won, is a representative example. This year alone, it added 15 new locations. Tomato D&C, which operates Blue Club and eyewear stores, achieved an operating profit of 2,463,180,000 won last year, a 47.3% increase from 1,671,520,000 won a year earlier.

At the same time, online content related to "self-beauty," such as cutting bangs or covering gray hair at home, is gaining more views as people look for ways to do simple procedures themselves.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.