It’s up to you whether you want to remove hair on your legs, arms, genitals, etc., but when it comes to the hair growing inside your nose, it’s best not to touch it.
“The nose is a delicate area with many blood vessels and mucous membranes,” says Don J. Beasley, M.D., a board-certified otolaryngologist (also known as an ear, nose and throat specialist) based in Idaho. Plucking nose hair, whether DIY or salon maintenance, increases the risk of infection and can cause folliculitis, especially if done improperly or without proper hygiene. This can lead to complications such as nasal cellulitis.
Below, we spoke to experts to learn about the risks of nose hair waxing and tweezing, as well as safer alternatives.
Importance of nose hair
You may not have thought much about your nose hair (apart from how annoying it is), but the truth is, it’s there for a reason.
“The primary role of nasal hair is to trap dust, pollen, and other airborne particles in the air, partially filtering the air we breathe,” says New York-based board-certified dermatologist and associate professor of dermatology. says Dr. Michael Jacobs. Department of Dermatology, Weill Cornell Medical College. He explained that hair acts as a physical barrier, preventing these allergens from entering the nasal passages and potentially causing irritation and harm to the respiratory system.
Beasley says nose hair also plays a protective role, warning us of potential danger. “When something touches your nose hairs, such as a small insect or other irritant, it triggers a reflex sneeze. This is your body’s way of getting rid of the intruder or irritant,” he explained.
Additionally, nasal hair also helps maintain optimal humidity levels within the nasal passages. “Nose hair traps moisture from your exhaled breath and prevents your nasal passages from becoming overly dry,” Beasley says. “This moisture helps humidify the air we breathe, making it more comfortable for our respiratory systems.”
What are the risks of nose hair waxing?
Nose hair waxing may be appealing because its results last longer compared to alternatives such as trimming. But completely removing nasal hair means removing the filtration system, which is essential to maintaining health and preventing infections such as vestibulitis and nasal abscesses, says the Delaware-based certified ear nose specialist. said Dr. Nicole Aaronson, a throat specialist. “Waxing doesn’t necessarily weaken the immune system, but it does break through the skin barrier by creating holes for bacteria to enter deep tissues, creating an opportunity for infection,” she says.
Nose hair waxing can have side effects, especially when done in untrained hands or when done by yourself. As an example, Aaronson said wax that’s too hot can burn the nasal mucosa, the tissue that lines the nasal passages. This removal of the top layer of skin can also cause small lesions on the nose, increasing the risk of infection. Additionally, waxing in general can be an irritating process. “Nasal waxing can be an unpleasant experience because delicate nasal passages are sensitive to pulling sensations, which can cause temporary pain, redness, and irritation,” Beasley says.
Ingrown hairs can also be a problem with nose hair waxing. “Ingrown hair occurs when new hair that grows from the hair follicle is unable to break through the skin after hair removal,” Aaronson explains. “Waxing pulls the hair out from the root, so the hair has to come out through the outer layer of the skin again (unlike other hair removal methods, where the hair remains on the surface of the skin).”
So what about partial nose hair waxing (i.e., removing just the hair from the front of your nose)? Aaronson said to avoid this practice because it carries “all the same risks: vestibulitis, ingrown hairs, and burns.” Ultimately, Jacobs warned against waxing your nose completely to avoid the risk of breathing in more toxins and particles, irritating the nasal mucosa, and producing ingrown hairs.
Alternatives to nose hair wax
Waxing and spot waxing are already excluded, and you can also add tweezing to the list. Dr. Aaronson noted that he had to perform incision and drainage of nasal abscesses in conjunction with nasal hair plucking, and said that nasal hair plucking should be avoided. “We do not recommend removing hair from your nose this way,” she said.
If your nose hair is long and has reached an unsightly height, try carefully trimming it with clean eyebrow scissors. This is effective in removing unruly hair that is visibly trapped under the nostrils. If you are worried about getting hurt during this process, choose angled scissors with rounded tips. The scissors are strategically shaped to reduce the risk of accidental cuts and reach hard-to-reach areas. Choose an electric trimmer to trim the hair behind your nose. They are safe, easy to use, and require minimal effort.
Round scissors and electric trimmers are two methods of trimming nose hair that are much safer alternatives to waxing and can help prevent the risk of ingrown hairs and irritation.
