Some people may end up noticing hair growth in the ears. This could be due to several biological reasons. It is, however, nothing to be worried about.
Ear hair removal is a common trend in the UK currently. Many who face the problem of hairy ears are looking for methods they can try to reduce the appearance of hairy ears.
This article covers all one needs to know about the what and why of ear hairs and if it is really necessary for one to remove them. It suggests methods one can try to remove ear hair.
Table of Contents:- Part 1: Why Are My Ears So Hairy?
- Part 2: Should You Remove Ear Hair?
- Part 3: How to Remove Ear Hair?
Part 1: Why Are My Ears So Hairy?
Hairy ears are often a result of increased testosterone levels. In some cases, this may arise due to genetics and age. Children of diabetic women often end up growing hair in the ears. Besides these reasons, it can be due to a condition called hypertrichosis, where hair grows all over the body including the ears.
Changes In Ear Hair Due To Age
Unlike estrogen, testosterone levels continue to increase throughout one’s life. Testosterone influences the growth of hair throughout the body including the ears as well. Hence, as one grows older in age, an increase in testosterone levels can cause the appearance of ear hair or enhance the growth of ear hair.
Part 2: Should You Remove Ear Hair?
Why Remove Ear Hair?
- Removing ear hair enhances the aesthetic look of the face. It makes one’s face look more polished and presentable.
- Since it naturally makes one look presentable and polished, it can also help boost self-confidence, especially if the individual is in a professional setup.
- Hair in the ears can be a bit of an irritable situation as it may feel ticklish at times. Removing ear hair can help reduce irritability.
- Removing ear hair can help maintain hygiene. Excessive hair in such areas can trap dirt and dust that can further lead to ear infections.
- Removing ear hair can also increase sound quality for an individual.
Why Keep Ear Hair?
- To a certain extent, ear hair plays the same role as nose hair and prevents dirt from getting into the ears.
- Methods that are used to remove ear hair can often cause a lot of pain and if done wrong can lead to a lot of harm.
- It's better to keep the ear as removing it can be a time-consuming task unless and until it is a long-lasting method to remove ear hair.
- Using methods like plucking, shaving or waxing ear hair can cause ingrown hair, this can be a very painful situation as the ear is a very sensitive area.
Potential Risks & Precautions
- It is always recommended to consult a professional before removing ear hair as they might be thorough with removing it and minimize any risk of harm.
- It is advised to trim ear hair to a shorter length before going in for any kind of ear hair removal treatment.
- During ear hair removal one can experience tinnitus, which is a buzzing sound in the ear that results due to damage in the ear canal.
- Few may experience hearing loss or bleeding that occurs due to the tools used for ear hair removal. These tools may damage the eardrum or even rip off the skin.
Part 3: How to Remove Ear Hair?
Plucking
- Ear hair can be removed by plucking it. This method of ear hair removal requires just one tool, and that is a tweezer.
- Grab the base of the hair stand with the help of a tweezer and pluck it out one by one. It takes usually 2-8 weeks to grow back as the hair is plucked out by the root.
Pros & Cons
- Ear hair removal by plucking is a cost-effective method as it requires only a tweezer. In addition to that, it yields long-lasting results.
- Using a tweezer can cause potential damage to the earbuds and the ear canal if not used properly. Besides this, plucking hair out from the ears can be very painful.
Shaving
- Shaving is a method of removing ear hair using a razor blade. The required items for this are an electric razor and shaving cream.
- Apply some shaving cream onto the area that is to be shaved, use a razor and carefully shave off the hair. Gently wipe off the area and clean the razor after each use.
Pros & Cons
- Shaving is an ear hair removal method that is friendly on the pockets. With the cost of an electric razor and shaving cream, one will be able to remove ear hair from the comfort of one’s home.
- Hair grows back quickly within 1-3 days and there are chances of ingrown hair developing. In addition to this, if the shaving has not been done properly, one could have cuts in the canal.
Hair Removal Cream for Ears
- Hair removal creams are also known as depilatory creams. These creams can be applied to the outer area of the ear.
- After letting it sit for a while, wipe off the cream with a wet wipe. Do not leave the cream for more than the time mentioned in the instructions.
Pros & Cons
- It is a quick and nearly painless way to remove hair in the comfort of one’s home.
- It is best advised to do a patch test before using on the ears as some ingredients present in the cream may not be suitable for certain skin types.
- If the cream is left for longer than instructed, it can cause burns in the area.
Waxing
Here’s how to remove ear hair with wax:
- Ear hair can be removed with the help of soft warm wax. It is best recommended to go to a professional to get this done.
- Once the wax is applied, it hardens, after which the wax can be pulled out along with the hair strands.
- Hair usually doesn't grow back for 4-8 weeks after this treatment
Pros & Cons
- This hair removal method is a quick means of getting ear hair removed. It also lasts the longest when compared to most hair removal methods.
- It can be a painful procedure, when ripping the wax off, there are chances for the skin to rip off and micro-tears to occur as well.
Laser Ear Hair Removal
- Laser hair removal for ear hair is done usually by a professional. It is a hair removal procedure that uses light to remove hair long-lasting.
- The professional targets a hair follicle and destroys it with the help of a laser light. This breaks the hair follicle further resulting in hair loss.
Pros & Cons
- It is a long-lasting means of getting ear hair removed. There is no fear of pain or irritation in this method. It is done quickly.
- It can be a costly procedure, one needs to go in for 4-8 sessions to get the hair long-lasting and completely removed.
Electrolysis Ear Hair Removal
- An electrolysis ear hair removal is usually done by a professional as it requires a lot of skill and patience to remove ear hair by this means.
- The professional makes use of a thin wire that consists of heat or chemical energy which breaks down the hair follicle further causing loss of hair in the area. The hair is plucked off by a tweezer.
Pros & Cons
- The benefit that electrolysis holds when it comes to ear hair removal is that it is a long-lasting method of hair removal.
- The downside to it is that it is time and cost-effective. One needs to go in for several sessions for ear hair to long-lasting disappear.
Conclusion
This tutorial on how to clean ear hair through so many methods should be enough for you to achieve a hair-free look to their ears. The article covers all necessary details ranging from basic information on why one has ear hair and if one should keep it or remove it. It suggests different measures that one can take to remove it and further explains the benefits and downsides it holds.
