How To Get Rid Of Blackheads in Ear: 5 Best Ways

Blackheads are a type of acne, which is an inflammatory skin condition¹ caused by clogged pores. They can appear practically everywhere on the body and can be removed as well, but blackheads in the ear are more difficult to remove. How To Get Rid Of Blackheads in Ear?

Blackheads, unlike other types of acne, such as cysts, are not caused by bacteria. They’re caused by a buildup of oil (sebum²), dead skin cells, and dirt, which clogs them and causes a solid material. The pore’s top is left open, and the blocked substance oxidizes and darkens.

While blackheads are most usually associated with the “T-zone” (chin, nose, and forehead), however, they can appear anywhere on the body. Your ears are especially prone to blackheads since they don’t receive the same prophylactic therapy as your face.

1. What Causes Blackheads In The Ear?

Blackheads are non-inflammatory acne lesions generated by dead skin cells and oil that become stuck inside your pores.

Ears are unexpectedly susceptible to blackhead formation because the skin within the ear canal is packed with hundreds of microscopic hair follicles³ and glands that produce oil and earwax. If these glands create too much oil, your skin will break out, leaving you with unattractive acne and blackheads.

Here are a few ways you could be inviting these pesky blackheads in your ear. Mentioned below are some strategies to prevent them from forming as well:

1. Earwax and Grime in Your Earbuds or Headphones: Earbuds collect oil and earwax, so clean them at least once a week and avoid wearing them for extended periods of time.
2. Dirt and Bacteria on Your Pillowcase: If you have blackheads in your ears, your pillowcase might be the reason. Wash your pillowcases at least once a week to prevent bacteria and pollutants from accumulating. These baddies can resurface on your skin overnight, causing irritation and acne.
3. Constantly touching Your Ears: Just as touching your face can allow bacteria from your hands to enter the pores in your ears, touching your ears too frequently can cause germs from your hands to enter the pores in your ears.

2. How To Get Rid Of Blackheads In Ear

Since the skin of the outer ear is so close to the inner structures of the ear, which are sensitive and important for hearing, the process of removing the blackheads must be handled with caution.

The procedures listed below can be used to remove blackheads from sensitive places such as the ears.

2.1. Exfoliate The Affected Region

You may already be aware that exfoliating is beneficial to your face and body. It aids in the removal of dead skin cells that dull your complexion and clog your pores. This includes your ears as well. Once a week, gently exfoliate the delicate skin around your ears.

With your fingertips, apply the exfoliating products on blackheads and gently rub them in.

2.2. Salicylic Acid-containing Skincare Products

Many skincare products made for the face can be utilized for the ears but with caution. According to the American Academy of Dermatology, salicylic acid can be beneficial in cleansing pores.

To remove blackheads in the ear, people can use over-the-counter cleansers or masks containing this chemical, however, a doctor may prescribe a more gentle treatment.

Salicylic acid is beta-hydroxy acid ⁴(BHA). It contains aspirin, thus anyone who is allergic to aspirin should avoid using this medicine. BHAs are chemical exfoliants, which means they may remove oil and dirt from pores without rubbing into the skin.

You can also use your regular cleanser and an astringent. To begin, use an astringent once per day.

2.3. Extraction

This technique involves the removal of blackheads and should only be performed by a dermatologist who is properly qualified. They will wipe up the pore with a sterile device. This takes time and will not prevent the formation of new blackheads in the ear.

Using this procedure to remove a blackhead at home can cause it to become red, painful, and infected.

2.4. Make Use Of Deep Cleansing Clay Mask

Try a nutrient-rich, deep-cleaning clay mask for enhanced cleansing. These masks gently remove impurities by absorbing excess oil, which causes blackheads in the ear.

2.5. Clean Your Ears

Washing your ears every day is one of the greatest ways to remove dead skin cells, excess oils, and dirt that might accumulate in them. This is simple to accomplish in the shower, and you may be able to use your regular face cleanser. You can clean it with your fingers or with a soft cloth.

Scrubbing your ears excessively might irritate your skin and trigger additional acne.

3. When Should You Consult A Dermatologist?

Although at-home blackhead removal procedures can be effective for some people, they are not always effective. If your blackheads reappear in your ears, or if you have a widespread condition, you should consult your dermatologist and seek professional help.

A dermatologist can assist with blackheads in the ear through a variety of methods. They can safely and fully remove the blackheads using expert extraction tools. Because you may not be able to see within or behind your ear very well, this could be far more successful than performing the extractions yourself.

If you have persistent blackheads in your ears or elsewhere in your body, your dermatologist may recommend acne treatment.

Keep in mind, that many of these creams can make your skin more sensitive to the sun, so use lots of sunscreens to avoid sunburn. Your doctor will propose the optimal treatment plan for you.

Your treatment may involve the following treatments:

3.1. Topicals

Prescription and over-the-counter vitamin A topical treatments are available (OTC). The most common prescription medication is tretinoin⁵ (Retin-A). You can also online shop for over-the-counter acne creams.

3.2. Benzoyl Peroxide

Several over-the-counter benzoyl peroxide formulations are also available. For mild acne, apply a 5% benzoyl peroxide solution. These solutions should not be used near an open wound or mucus membrane, such as inside your nose or mouth.

3.3. Antibiotics

The doctor may prescribe an antibiotic such as minocycline⁶ (Amzeeq, Minocin) or doxycycline to treat acne-causing bacteria. On the other hand, antibiotic acne treatment is less popular than it once was.

3.4. Systemic Medications

Systemic vitamin A-derived medications, such as isotretinoin, are typically reserved for severe cases of cystic acne. They’re effective, but they have been connected to a slew of negative side effects.

Extraction is a reasonably straightforward and non-invasive operation. A blackhead extractor tool is used by a dermatologist or cosmetic surgeon to remove the build-up trapped under the skin in your ear. This is a one-of-a-kind tool for removing toxins from the surface of your skin without inflicting substantial damage.

4. How To Avoid Getting Blackheads In Ear In The Future

Another method for removing blackheads in the ear is to employ effective measures to prevent them from forming in the first place. Keeping your ears clean and clear of extra oil is essential for this task. The majority of treatments do not treat the blackheads in the ear but rather prevent new ones from emerging.

Consider the following procedures:

• Use a clean, warm washcloth and a moderate salicylic cleanser to clean your ears daily.
• Shampoo your hair once a day. This helps to keep oil and grime from your hair from getting into your ears. If you absolutely must miss a wash, use a dry shampoo to prevent oils from entering your ears. Unwashed hair should be pulled back to avoid excess oil from entering your ears.
• To avoid initiating a breakout, avoid touching your ears throughout the day.
• Wash anything that comes into contact with your ears, such as earphones, pillowcases, cell phones, and other items that come into contact with your ears daily.
• Use only lotions and sunscreens that have been particularly developed to not clog pores. Getting rid of excess oil in your ears can help to minimize the number of clogged pores in the area.
• On your ears, use non-comedogenic skincare products. Whether you use body lotion or sunscreen on your ears on occasion, using noncomedogenic goods means you’re using items that won’t clog pores.
• Blackheads should not be popped with your fingers or nails. Finally, this might irritate the skin and lead to more outbreaks.
• Don’t use acne medication more than once a day. The skin surrounding your ears is especially sensitive and prone to discomfort from acne products. In addition, if your skin is really dry, your oil glands may create even more sebum, leading to even more blackheads in the ear.

5. Conclusion

It can be difficult to get rid of blackheads in the ear but changing one’s skincare routine and remembering to wash one’s ears in the shower, can assist to prevent them from forming.

Using a cleanser containing salicylic acid may aid in the removal of clogged pores’ oil and skin cells. If this does not resolve the problem, a person may choose to consult a qualified dermatologist and follow the treatment prescribed by them.

FAQs

1. Is it safe to remove ear blackheads at home?

Read more

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3. MS, BIRBECK, and MERCER EH. “The electron microscopy of the human hair follicle. I. Introduction and the hair cortex.” The Journal of biophysical and biochemical cytology 3.2 (1957): 203-214. ↩︎
4. Slepecky, RALPH A., and JOHN H. Law. “A rapid spectrophotometric assay of alpha, beta-unsaturated acids and beta-hydroxy acids.” Analytical Chemistry 32.12 (1960): 1697-1699. ↩︎
5. Kligman, Albert M., et al. “Topical tretinoin for photoaged skin.” Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology 15.4 (1986): 836-859. ↩︎
6. Garrido‐Mesa, N., A. Zarzuelo, and Jz Gálvez. “Minocycline: far beyond an antibiotic.” British journal of pharmacology 169.2 (2013): 337-352. ↩︎

Last Updated on March 18, 2024 by ayeshayusuf