How To Get Rid Of Excess Ear Hair

Excess ear hair can ruin your confidence and cause frustration, but this problem is more common than you think. Men's Journal notes that many guys, especially those in their late 20s, experience hair growth in unusual places, such as outside and inside their ears. Researchers don't fully understand the cause, but they think it may be related to aging or hormonal changes, explains WebMD. For example, testosterone — the male sex hormone — can make your hair grow thicker and coarser over the years.

Another possible cause is hypertrichosis, a condition associated with excessive hair growth. This disorder can affect both men and women, regardless of age (per DermNet New Zealand). Excess ear hair may also be due to metabolic or endocrine disorders, inflammatory skin conditions, or certain medications, notes WebMD. If the hair grows inside your ear canal, it may promote the spread of bacteria and cause infection.

Apart from that, the tiny hairs inside and outside your ears are unlikely to cause any serious problems. The question is, what can you do to get rid of them? 

Getting rid of excess ear hair can be more or less difficult, depending on the amount of hair, its growth rate, and the size and shape of your ear. For starters, stay away from sharp razors and hot wax, suggests GQ. Your best bet is to use a special trimmer for ear, nose, eyebrow, and facial hair. This kind of device can easily fit into your ear and remove stray hairs without causing issues. GQ recommends the models from Panasonic, ConairMAN, Wahl, Philips, or Remington. 

If you have excess hair outside the ear, you may use a razor and shaving cream, says WebMD. The downside is that you risk cutting yourself. On top of that, the results are short-lived. A pair of tweezers might do the trick, too — just make sure you sterilize it with alcohol before use. Pull one hair at a time to minimize the discomfort. If you take this route, your hair will grow back within one to eight weeks. 

Trimming, shaving, and plucking can help you get rid of excess ear hair, but none of them offers lasting results. A better choice is to visit a local grooming salon and let the pros handle it. Depending on your needs, they will recommend either waxing or laser hair removal to solve the problem. The latter option involves four to eight sessions and can be expensive, but the results may be permanent, notes WebMD.