Like many French people, do you have unsightly hair in your ears? If the latter fulfill essential functions, they can nevertheless be partly removed, specifies a dermatologist. Here’s everything you need to know about it.
Hair in the ears: what are they for?
The hairs located in the ears, just like those on the nose, play a much more important role than one might think at first glance. Their main function is protective: they form a physical barrier which limits the penetration of foreign bodies – such as dust or insects – thus preventing possible irritation of the ear canal.
These hairs also serve as a sensory filter. They can detect vibrations and movements at the entrance to the ear, alerting the body when an external element approaches. This function is similar to that of the cilia in the nose, which filter the air we breathe.
In addition, the hairs keep the ear clean. Combined with earwax, they prevent particles from penetrating deep into the ear canal, reducing the risk of infections.
Essential functions confirmed by Pauline Têtu, dermatologist.
“The hair protects the ear. It blocks dust and external elements, just like earwax, which also protects the ear canal. confides the expert. “With age, hair can become longer and thicker, due to the sensitivity of hair follicles to androgen hormones, which increases over time. Genetic factors also intervene and explain these variations. In any case, it is completely normal to have hair around the ears: they play a protective role!”, admits the practitioner.
However, if their presence becomes aesthetically annoying, it is possible to remove them.
How to get rid of it?
For maintaining nose or nostril hair, trimming is the simplest and safest method. “It does not present any particular risk,” confirms Pauline Têtu.
Another option: “You can also use scissors with a round tip. On the other hand, tweezers are painful and should be avoided, because they carry a risk of inflammation“, warns the expert.
When a small pimple appears on the hair, some people think about hair removal cream or electric hair removal, but these methods should be used with caution. “You have to treat each hair one by one in a specialized center,” recalls the practitioner.
“Moreover, if it is possible to treat the hairs at the entrance to the ear canal, it should never be done for those present inside, because the intervention would be painful and dangerous. And whatever the preferred technique, these interventions must be carried out by professionals”,
underlines the dermatologist.
As for laser hair removal – which permanently removes unwanted hair – the practitioner is unconvinced. “The laser is a difficult technique to apply to the relief of the ear and remains very limited in its use.“, she relates.
In summary, the mower remains the simplest solution, although temporary, concludes the expert.
To remember: for more lasting solutions like laser or electrolysis, remember to always consult a dermatologist.
While they can be shortened for aesthetic reasons, ear hair should never be removed without precaution. Between essential protective role and risks of irritation or infection, the balance remains fragile. For any lasting solution or more technical intervention, the advice of a dermatologist remains essential in order to preserve the health of the ear in the long term.