You are wrong if you think that blackheads can only develop on your facial skin. These tiny acne-like clusters can develop anywhere and most frequently in areas like the forehead, nose, and chin. You probably have experienced the occurrence of blackheads on your T-zone, but do you know that these can also develop inside your ears as well? Unlike other parts, it is comparatively tougher to extract black or whiteheads from the ear because the outer ear is linked to the sensitive inner canal of the ear and also because the ear cartilage is highly sensitive, and any extraction may result in an ear infection.
What is a Blackhead?
The human skin needs hydration which it naturally achieves through oil glands, generally called sebaceous glands. In some people, the oil glands start producing more sebum which results in pores blockage. When skin oil or sebum combines with the dirt and dead skin cells, it forms blackheads at the spot of clogged pores. A blackhead is a non-inflammatory, small bump that blocks the production of sebum, and when this buildup is oxidized, it turns black. Blackheads are tough to remove due to their hardened surface and an open head. It may be caused due to any family history, certain medications, or hormonal fluctuations.
What is the Reason for Blackheads Formation Inside the Ear?
You probably have never developed any blackhead inside your ear, but it is really frustrating to have it formed there. The human ear has unlimited hair follicles and oil glands that produce ear wax and oil. If the oil glands start producing excessive oil at the skin of the ear, get ready to welcome those acne-like tiny clusters. There could be a lot of reasons behind the disturbed level of sebum inside the ear, which can be resolved by maintaining proper cleanliness. Below we have mentioned some of the major contributing reasons behind those uninviting blackheads inside your ear.
- Sleeping on an unwashed pillowcase for too long majorly contributes to the formation of blackheads inside the ear. The bacterial buildup on your pillow case gets trapped on the outer ear overnight, leading to acne and irritation.
- Any transfer of impurities at the ear is also due to frequent touching of the ears. Like the facial skin, the ears as well are susceptible to getting infected with the bacterial transfer from your hands to the ear, which results in blackheads formation.
- Using air pods or earbuds with ear wax residues or accumulating dirt for a longer time infects the ear and develops blackheads.
- Your smartphone’s screen is the house of many unlimited bacteria and germs, and then take the screen closer to the ear, and the germs get transferred to the ear quickly.
How to Get rid of Blackheads in the Ear?
Blackhead does not look good anywhere on the skin, and you have to extract it eventually in case it is not coming out on its own. A blackhead on the ear is not easy to extract due to the ear’s anatomy. Most of you might have extracted blackheads from the skin, but removing them from the ears is not easier.
We have compiled a few easy-to-follow remedies to save you from the trouble of removing the blackheads from inside the air.
Wash your Ears Regularly with Cleanser
To remove the dust from the ear and to treat the clogged pores, wash your ears regularly with clean water and a gentle cleanser. Clean your ear with a cleanser that contains salicylic acid, as it can quickly dissolve dead skin cells and excess sebum. You may also use a cleanser that contains glycolic acid. Since it tightens the open pores and soothes the skin, using glycolic acid on the ear will help remove the blackheads easily. Dab a cotton ball or swab into the cleanser and apply it on the ears twice daily. Your skin will become tighter, and you will see a visible reduction in the blackheads inside the ear.
Apply Toner
A toner helps disinfect the ear, and if any blackhead forms inside it, applying it greatly helps suppress its growth. Look for a toner with witch hazel properties to clean the ear and open the clogged pores. Since witch hazel is commonly used in face strips and cleansers, using it to tone your ear will effectively treat excess oil production.
Use a Clay Mask
We all have heard of the multiple benefits of a clay mask and how it helps remove blackheads from the skin. Applying a tiny clay mask inside the air greatly helps remove the blackheads. Apply a mask of your choice on the ear and let it rest for 1 to 15 minutes. Wash it with lukewarm water. You may apply a face mask on the air once a day. Avoid applying it to the internal ear.
Using Tea Tree Oil
Tea tree oil has phenomenal antiseptic properties, making it a great solution for the blackheads to go away. Once they get dried, the blackheads come out easily, and tea tree oil serves the same purpose. Take a cotton swab, dip it in the tea tree oil, and apply it on the ear several times for 5 minutes. Alternatively, you may soak a cotton ball in tea tree oil and leave it in the ear overnight. This effective remedy has done wonders even in the conditions of the rapid spread of blackheads.
Lemon Juice
If you are more into trying home remedies to treat the unpleasantly looking blackheads inside the ear, this one is just for you. Mix one tablespoon of lemon juice with one tablespoon of water. Soak a cotton ball or cotton swab inside the solution and apply gently on the blackheads inside your ears. Repeat the process multiple times a day with the fresh cotton ball. Keep in mind that despite being an excellent anti-inflammatory remedy, lemon does not suit all skin types. So, if you feel any irritation in your ear after applying the lemon juice, rinse it off thoroughly.
Consume Acne Medication
The OTC medications which are prescribed to reduce the appearance of acne are found to help treat the blackheads inside the ear as well. The antibiotics, OTC creams, and lotions decompose the keratin accumulation at the spot of blackheads. You may intake it in the form of antibiotics or topical medication that has the consistency of cream as well as gel.
Blackheads Extraction
The extraction of these stubborn blackheads is the last option to try out. Some people prefer to do the extraction with the help of fingernails or pins, but these extraction methods actually bring harmful outcomes by increasing the chances of cuts on the skin. Blackhead extraction tools are available in the market that help remove the blackheads while protecting your skin from cuts. Take a sterilized extraction tool and press its metal loop at the top of the blackhead. With gentle pressure, sweep the tool to extract the tiny blackhead. There are high chances of extraction going wrong if done manually at home. So always ask a professional to do the extraction process who will perform the procedure, ensuring the safety measures.
Treat it With Some Warm Press
Just like the steamer, treating your ear with a warm press softens the skin, making the blackhead removal easier. While the warmth is applied at the spot of blackheads, it unclogs the blocked pores due to the accumulation of dead cells and debris. The pus inside a blackhead comes out due to the heat press, which you may clean using a cotton ball and water.
Some Additional Tips to Get Rid of Ear Blackheads Quickly
- Do not apply acne products on the blackheads more than the recommended amount as it might make your skin dry faster.
- Squeezing a blackhead feels satisfying to some people but avoid doing it as squeezing or picking a blackheads might result into scarring.
- Ensure that the products you apply on the blackheads have non-comedogenic properties to avoid clogging pores.
- In case you have developed a backhead inside the ear, clean your ears twice a day and ensure that everything that touches your ears in sanitized.
- Please do not touch your ears repeatedly as it may transfer the bacteria to the ears.
Bottom Line
The blackhead removal remedies you are trying at home can be effective for some people but not everyone. Even in some cases, It could be necessary to consult your dermatologist if your blackheads are developing in your ears again or if you have a severe case all over the ear region. There are several methods a dermatologist can use to help with ear blackheads. They can first safely and completely remove the blackheads using the highest precision extraction instruments. Given that you might not have good vision inside or behind your ear, this may be far more effective than performing the extractions yourself.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What are the risk factors behind clogged pores?
Clogged pores can develop in anyone, especially those who take certain medications, take stress, or have any family history with it.
What is the difference between a whitehead and a blackhead?
A blackhead is developed completely on the top of the skin and has a black open head, while a whitehead has a white cap with the microscopic opening raised on the top of the skin.
Why is using salicylic acid inside the ear considered effective in treating blackheads?
Salicylic acid efficiently breaks down the dust accumulated on the skin and decomposes the buildup resulting in blackheads forming. Also, it is a powerful agent that helps in exfoliation, so applying it to the ear helps eliminate blackheads.
Does blackhead formation inside the ears mean that the ear is dirty?
Not at all. Having a blackhead developed on the inside of the ear does not mean that your ear is dirty and has dust accumulation inside. Rather it means that the pores inside the ear are larger, which produces excess sebum that results in the formation of blackheads.
How will I find out if it is a blackhead or not?
Blackhead is a form of acne that appears in the form of black, open bumps on the skin. A blackhead does not harm the skin or make you feel discomfort. If you find any tiny black bumpy cyst of a few millimeters, there are chances that it is a blackhead.
Does blackhead extraction enlarge the size of the pore?
When a blackhead is extracted, the skin elasticity around the skin is increased, which results in the enlargement of the pores.
Is it possible to get rid of blackheads permanently?
Although there is no specific way of getting rid of blackheads permanently, as they keep coming back repeatedly, you may prevent their occurrence by deep cleaning your pores and treating these with suitable cleansers and toners.
How does a blackhead stay on the skin?
A blackhead generally stays on the skin for a few days and even months, depending upon your hormonal fluctuations and skin type. If a blackhead is not treated effectively or not extracted professionally, it may last longer than expected.
At which part of the skin does blackheads usually develop?
A blackhead usually develops on the forehead, nose, and chin. However, a blackhead can be formed anywhere on the body.
Why do I get blackheads in my ears?
The skin inside the ear has a lot of hair follicles, and sebum production is higher once the sebaceous glands produce more oil, resulting in blackheads forming.
How do you get deep blackheads out of your ear?
By pressing the area of blackheads with a warm cloth or using a professional extraction tool, you may get rid of deep blackheads from the ear.
Will blackheads go away on their own?
If a blackhead is not deeply embedded into the skin, it will go away alone. Otherwise, you need to extract it from a professional or opt for remedies to eliminate it.
Is it OK to squeeze blackheads?
Squeezing a blackhead is unsafe as it might create scarring or spots or even cause skin trauma.
What happens if you don’t remove blackheads?
If blackheads are not treated on time, they may penetrate deeper into the skin and result in acne or pimples.
Will waxing remove blackheads?
Sugar wax removes those unwanted hairs and leaves the skin feeling smooth. Additionally, waxing is also an effective way of getting rid of blackheads, especially from the nose.
Do blackheads leave holes in the skin?
The blackheads leave holes in the skin initially due to the pores, which are filled with debris and dirt, and when the pore gets unclogged, it leaves a tiny space that looks like a hole.
John Davis is a passionate content writer with a knack for crafting engaging narratives across various subjects. With a keen eye for detail and a love for storytelling, John brings ideas to life through the power of words. His dedication to delivering high-quality and informative content has made him a trusted voice in the digital realm. When he’s not at his desk, you’ll find John exploring new hobbies and seeking inspiration in the world around him.
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