How to Get Rid of Blackheads in Your Ear, According to a Dermatologist
Tuning into pimple-popping and blackhead extraction videos can be fun to watch, but things take a different turn when you noticed your own dots of blackheads sprinkled across your nose or, even worse, inside of your ears. Just like zits, whiteheads, and other blemishes, blackheads in the ear "form in the same way as those on any other part of the face or body," board-certified dermatologist Dr. Divya Shokeen tells Seventeen. Whenever open pores are clogged with gunk, like dead skin cells, oil, or sweat, and oxidize with the air, "it creates a plug that allows the bacteria" to grow, leading to inflammation in the form of pesky blackheads. Unlike regular pimples, blackheads turn black when they oxidize. Getting breakouts like blackheads in your ears can be annoying at the very least, but there are ways to remove existing blemishes and prevent new ones from forming.
What’s the best way to prevent blackheads from forming in the ear?
When it comes to your day-to-day skincare routine, you probably just skip over your ears and move right along to the next step. Dr. Shokeen suggests showing your ears a little TLC to stop blackheads outside of cleaning your ears once daily. "The best way to prevent blackheads from forming in the ear is to maintain a healthy cleansing and exfoliating routine," she says.
Since your ears are so delicate and easily irritated, Dr. Shokeen recommends "using a gentle cleanser and a mild exfoliant" to help unclog pores. "Any product used in or around the ear should be gentle and designed for sensitive skin." That means skipping out on physical exfoliants (you know, the ones with a grainy texture) that manually buff away dead skin and opting for physical ones that are enriched with alpha hydroxy acids (AHA) or beta hydroxy acids (BHA) like salicylic acid to dissolve instead. Once you've cleansed and exfoliated, Dr. Shokeen suggests using a "toner or astringent" to "help tighten the pores and prevent debris from getting trapped in them."
Is it okay to remove blackheads with extracting tools?
You've probably seen tons of videos of people using extracting tools to remove blackheads. While those clips rack up tons of views on social media, Dr. Shokeen advises against using tools, including comedone extractors, to remove blemishes at home, especially blackheads inside of the ear. "Doing so can lead to further irritation, redness, scarring, and infection," she warns. Instead, she suggests visiting a professional dermatologist who can use the "appropriate tools and techniques to safely remove blackheads."
Getting blackheads in your ear can be a bit of a pest, but if you add a few extra steps into your daily skin and body-care routine, you can help treat current blackheads in your ears and prevent new ones from forming. If all else fails and you continue getting blackheads in your ear no matter how often and thoroughly you clean and exfoliate your ears, head straight to your dermatologist for professional help.
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