Blackheads may appear anywhere in the body, but they are more common on the face. When these appear in the ears, it can be a little difficult to eliminate.
It is easy to ignore the ears while washing. A person might not always properly rinse away hair products which may remain in the ears. Shampoo or dirt may lead to blackheads.
Specific elements in skincare products were developed to unclog pores and this could be helpful in treating blackheads. Blackheads can be also removed using a specific tool, but people should not try this at home.
What are blackheads?
Blackheads may look like these contain dirt, but they are actually composed of natural oils and dead skin cells.
Unlike a whitehead, the top portion of blackhead’s pore is not closed. The oil and dead skin cells effectively react with oxygen in the presence of air and turn black.
Though blackheads are common on the face, they can appear elsewhere on the body. Whiteheads and blackheads are medically called comedones. Look for products that are labeled non-comedogenic because these do not close pores.
Dermatologists have expertise in treating the skin. A person may see a dermatologist if they get a large number of blackheads. They may also seek advice if the condition of the skin is affecting their aspects of daily life.
Effective ways of removing blackheads
Blackheads can appear on the outer ear which protects the sensitive inner ear, captures sound, and helps in balancing. The skin of the outer ear has to be treated with more care because it is closer to the inner parts of the ear, which are crucial for hearing.
Below methods can be used to remove blackheads in vulnerable areas like the ears.
•Apply skincare products with salicylic acid
Several skincare products meant for the face can also be used in the ears. The American Academy of Dermatology suggests that salicylic acid is effective in cleaning pores. People can also use over-the-counter cleansers with this ingredient to remove blackheads in the ear.
Salicylic acid, a beta hydroxy acid, contains aspirin, therefore; people with aspirin allergy should avoid using a product having this ingredient. Beta hydroxy acids are chemical exfoliants, which can remove dirt and oil from pores without rubbing into the skin. People should not get these products too close to ear canal. It may take some days to see the effects. Using salicylic acid can also help prevent blackheads from forming. People can add these products into a regular skincare routine.
•Go for exfoliation
Exfoliation is the standard process of removing dead skin cells. As those cells can clog pores, removing them regularly can help to remove pimples and blackheads. Exfoliating frequently can irritate the skin. However, doing it two times per week does not cause problems. Physical exfoliation is done by rubbing the skin with rough material. Facial scrubs contain rough particles like ground nut shells or salt for this reason. It is not suggested to use exfoliating products in ears.
Another option is to rub the skin of outer ear with dry washcloth. The rough surface of the cloth will completely remove dead skin cells.
•Cleanse the skin regularly
Cleanse your skin on a daily basis. For better results, repeat this step once or twice every day. After around a week, you may notice a reduction in the number and size blackheads in your ears.
•Use a cleansing clay mask
If you want extra cleansing, try a deep cleaning clay mask rich in nutrient. These types of masks gently remove impurities by absorbing extra oil that can cause blackheads.
•Try extraction
Extraction involves removing blackheads, and this process should only be tried by a registered dermatologist. They use a sterile instrument to unclog the pores. This may take time and would not prevent blackheads from appearing again. Removing blackheads at home with this process may cause it to become painful, red, and infected.
•Keep the skin clean
Cleaning the skin regularly and removing the dead skin cells can help prevent blackheads. Methods of prevention are same for the skin of the ear and face. The major difference is that the inner part of the ear is more difficult to clean properly. The easiest way of washing the ears is with a washcloth. You should do this after rinsing all remnants of shampoo.
•Apply tea tree oil
Tea tree oil is known for its antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties. A person can use tea tree oil to remove blackheads. Take a cotton ball and soak it into tea tree oil. Squeeze the excess oil and put the cotton ball into the blackheads. Then leave the tea tree oil saturated in the ears overnight. Discard the cotton next morning and clean the ear with a damp towel. This process should be repeated once every night to get rid of blackheads in the ear.