Earwax removal. It’s an icky, albeit necessary part of many a beauty routine. But are you cleaning your ears correctly? Or shall we say, safely?
Although excess earwax can cause hearing difficulties and discomfort, removing it incorrectly can cause damage to sensitive parts of the ear.
Here’s how to remove that pesky earwax effectively (without resorting to any dangerous or ill-advised methods)…
What is earwax?
Before you go to town on your earwax, it’s important to understand what it is and why it’s there in the first place. Medically known as cerumen, the sticky, shiny substance is created by the wax glands located in the outer part of the ear canal. It ranges in colour from yellowish to reddish-brown and despite being rather sinister-looking, it does have a purpose.
“[Earwax] is essential for moisturising the skin within the ear canal to prevent it from becoming dry or damaged,” explains Katie Ogden, the HCPC registered hearing aid dispenser and Training Manager for ReSound in North-West Europe. “The waxy coating also prevents dust, dirt or any other debris from entering the ear and damaging the eardrum.”
Earwax is primarily (about 60 per cent) comprised of shed skin cells, as well as hair, and the secretions of the ceruminous and sebaceous glands of the outside ear canal.
Natural movements such as talking and chewing help to move earwax out from the ear canal. However, occasionally build-up can occur. But it’s important not to go over the top with removal…
“Individuals that are frequently removing their earwax and therefore have too little of it can experience dry, itchy ears that are also more prone to infection,” says Katie.
So if it’s not causing you problems, it may be best to leave your earwax alone.
How to remove earwax
Cleaning out excess earwax from the ear canal is a delicate exercise. The idea is not to eliminate the wax entirely, but simply to keep it from blocking your ear.
And while cotton buds were initially invented to help remove earwax, they often do more harm than good.
“[They can] push earwax deeper into the ear, causing it to build up further inside the ear canal,” explains Katie. “In more serious cases, the cotton bud can also cause damage to the structures of the inner ear causing vertigo, deafness and even facial paralysis.” Yikes!
If you think you’re experiencing excessive amounts of earwax, Katie highly recommends contacting a healthcare professional on how best to proceed.
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One gentle at-home option that may be recommended is ear cleaning drops. They help to soften the hard wax plug naturally and allow it to come easily out of the ear. Ear cleaning drops can be purchased from most leading chemists and pharmacies.
- Ear Clear Ear Drops for Wax Removal ($11.99 at Chemist Warehouse)
- Waxsol Ear Drops ($10.99 at Chemist Warehouse)
- Clean Ears Kids Spray ($14.49 at Chemist Warehouse)
Please note that this method should not be used if you have (or suspect you could have) a perforated eardrum.
Earwax removal don’ts
While some methods of earwax removal may look satisfying, it’s best to always proceed with caution.
And cotton tips aren’t the only method Katie is wary of…
Hydrogen peroxide
Yep, we’re talking about the same ingredient used for whitening teeth. Sometimes used to soften earwax, Katie warns that its overuse can have less than desirable results.
“It can not only cause irritation to the skin inside of the ear and be abrasive but it can even lead to unwanted effects like inflammation of the inner ear and earaches,” she says.
Ear candles
Intrigued by the idea of using a candle to draw out your earwax? Katie warns that playing with fire means you’re likely to get burned. “[Plus,] the candle wax can even drip into the ear, clogging the canal and making you lose hearing for a while.”
Guess we’ll be leaving that one to the brave…
Do you use ear wash and/or earwax remover products? Did you find this article helpful?
It is really easy to damage your hearing. I recommend leaving it to a professional.
U/I’ve always used cotton buds/”earbuds” – carefully but sometimes my ears get itchy so maybe I’ve overdone it then
I have trouble with ear wax and have got so used to the problem I just straight away use a few drops of oil and then after a few days head off to the doctor to have my ear syringed. Only thing that fixed my proble.
Ive tried ear wax candle remover its so useless i don’t recommend. I just use a cotton ear bud and works fine for me
I normally use cotton buds. My daughter had trouble with ear wax and doctor recommended pharmacy product for few days. After few days he washed her ear.