Gone are the days when men would ignore hair growing all over. It was great to not have the pressure to groom or, the official term for it, man-scape. The words waxing, trimming, sugaring, and others are words men now have to be familiar with.
One of the things that men need to keep in order is ear hair. Though most common in older men (due to changing levels of testosterone), it can actually affect men of all ages. While it is not very unusual, it can be a reason to be insecure.
You might find people noticing it and worse, being bothered by it. So remove it, you probably must.
How To Get Rid of Ear Hair
There are the usual ways to get rid of hair in any part of the body. Some are highly preferred, like waxing, because it is fast and the regrowth takes longer compared to other methods.
However, this technique is not always the best or safest when you are dealing with more sensitive parts of the body. Moreover, it can cause a reaction that will leave the ears clogged for a few days. Best leave the waxing to other parts of the body.
The other suggested method is plucking. Before waxes became popular, tweezers were king at removing hair everywhere.
But let’s face it, who has time to remove each and every strand in this day and age? It takes so much time, and if you want to pluck ear hair, you will need magnifying mirrors (one is definitely not enough) and be prepared for your arms getting tired after a while.
This leaves trimming as the best way to remove the unwanted hair. It is not exactly removing the hair, just cutting it short. This means you will need to confront it again when it grows. But the great thing is, you won’t have to endure pain (from removing the hair), and it can be quick.
Trimming Ear Hair
Before you actually grab that ear hair trimmer and cut away, you need to know something fundamental. Ear hair is actually useful in keeping things out of the ears.
This means you definitely should keep some hair in the inner canal. The hair is also a vital part of spatial awareness and balance, which is why you should not remove all of it.
In this case, do not let vanity compromise these abilities. Trim just enough to keep it out of sight.
There are quite a few tools you can use to trim ear hair, from manual scissors to small electric trimmers. The choice of which to use is entirely up to you, and below you can read about the pros and cons of each.
1> 4-Inch Round Scissors
Most of that unsightly hair is just outside of the ear, and the great thing is, they can be removed quite easily with some trimming scissors. These scissors are also the best ones to use in the inner ear, which is a more sensitive part.
Thanks to the rounded tip, you do not run the risk of poking yourself, and stainless steel means a lower risk of infections. They also have adjustable tension so that you do not accidentally cut yourself, plus it has better precision.
There are very few cons, except maybe that it takes longer than an electric trimmer.
2> Manual Trimmer
If you want to use a trimmer but you are apprehensive about using an electric one, then a manual one is a good solution. There are tons of advantages, other than not requiring any batteries.
These are designed to last a whole lifetime, and they are straightforward to clean. Plus, they will not tug or remove any ear hair, because they are designed just to trim. Lastly, they are ergonomic, although you might need to practice to get the hang of it.
Thanks to the cap over the rotary blades, you will never have to worry about hurting yourself. All you need to do is put it inside the ear (avoid the skin) and move it back and forth to manage that growth of hair in the ear.
There are very few parts altogether that make up these trimmers, so there is almost no risk of breaking it. Naturally, it is slower compared to an electric trimmer, but for a beginner or for someone who wants to be more careful, this is not necessarily a bad thing.
3>Electric Trimmer
This is the top choice for those wanting to save time on removing ear hair. The best products provide a close shave, which means you will not have to trim as often. They are also ergonomic and waterproof, just make sure you look for one that is easy to clean.
A good product has blades that will follow the contours of the ear cavities to prevent injuries. The biggest disadvantage, of course, is that it can be damaged and thus might not last a whole lifetime like the manual trimmer.
Steps To Trimming Your Ear Hair
Once you figure out the product that is best for you, then it is time to get rid of the unsightly ear hair! Naturally, you should first clean the ear, removing any ear wax or dirt that has accumulated in there.
Instead of using a cotton swab, you can use a bulb syringe and some ear-wax softening drops.
Simply tilt the head to the side before putting 3 to 4 drops into the ear. Stand up straight for a few minutes to let it work on the wax. Use a washcloth, holding it to your ear as you tilt the head to the side to let both the wax and liquid flow out.
Do the same to the other ear. If you will use an electric trimmer, you have to wait one day for the ear canal and hair to dry thoroughly. Otherwise, you can continue with the trimming.
Do so in front of a mirror and in a bright room so that you can see the ears well and to reduce the risk of hurting yourself. If you find it too difficult, ask someone to do it for you. And again, do not trim too far inside the ear canal.
Not many men will love the idea of having to trim their ear hair but if you have to, rest assured that it is not painful or complicated as it seems.