Not many people are comfortable with nose hair. This is why nose hair trimmers are a thing – they are an excellent tool for getting rid of that unwanted hair.
Now, nose hair is a very useful thing for our bodies. It serves as a filter that will keep dust and bacteria out of our noses. Because of this, we should never overtrim it. Otherwise, our immune system might be compromised.
Using an electric nose hair trimmer is a fairly safe method for getting rid of the unwanted hair. Still, it is possible to end up with irritated skin or ingrown hair follicles if you’re not doing this properly. It’s important to know how to use a nose hair trimmer properly to avoid this type of injury.
If you’re a first-time nose hair trimmer user, we have prepared a full guide for you. We hope this will help you get rid of nose hair effectively.
- If you want to learn more about hair removal options, see our home waxing kit guide and tips walkthrough
- Or to jump right in, check out our best home waxing kits available right now
How to use a Rotary nose hair trimmer
Rotary heads are easily recognisable and often take this form
Rotary trimmers have a unique way of operating. They have a head that rotates, making sure your nose is free of any hairs, no matter where they are. The head contains blades that will cut the hairs from every corner of your nose, so you don’t have to use too much movement or worry about reaching every part of your nostril.
The rotary nose hair trimmer could also be used for dealing with sideburn or making any last-minute beard touch-ups.
Still, this isn’t to say that there is no rule to using a rotary nose hair trimmer. If you’re using this type of trimmer for the first time, you might have some issues understanding how to do everything right.
Here are the steps you need to take in order to make the best out of your rotary nose hair trimmer:
- Have A Well-Lit Mirror
If you’re standing in front of a bathroom mirror, make sure there are plenty of lights in the room. If you cannot see what’s going on inside of your nostrils, go to another room with better lighting. You should be able to see all the nose hairs properly.
Even better – if you have a magnifying mirror, use it. This way, you’ll be able to see nose hairs much more easily. Sure, you can get by with a normal mirror, but it’d force you to stand too close to it. A magnifying mirror would sort this.
- Make Sure Your Nostrils Are Clean
Before you begin using your nose hair trimmer, clean out your nostrils. Blow out any mucus and wipe around and inside your nose to get rid of any boogers you might have. If your nose is entirely clean, it will make the trimming process much easier.
In case you are suffering from allergies or a cold, it would be best to wait until you’re feeling better before you start trimming your nose. If your nose isn’t clean, your nose hair trimmer might not catch all the hairs, or it may even get defective.
- Push Up Your Nose
Obviously please don’t use scissors, this is a comedic example only
When trimming your hairs, you should make your nose resemble a pig’s nose by pushing it up and back using your index finger. While it looks funny, this position makes your nostrils opened, and you can easily see all the hairs inside the nose.
Don’t worry if you can’t see all the way up inside your nose. The only thing you should be trimming with a nose hair trimmer is the tips of the hair and not the root.
- Circle The Trimmer Around The Nostril Entry
Place the rotary nose hair trimmer inside one of your nostrils. Then circle it around but don’t push too deep. This way, you’ll ensure you’ll get rid of all visible parts of your nose hairs.
Don’t go in too deep, as you might cause injuries to the sensitive skin inside your nose. While most rotary nose hair trimmers have safety protection inside, they might still hurt you if you push the trimmer too hard against your nostrils.
- Repeat
Once you’re done with one nostril, repeat the process on the other one. Make sure you’re as gentle, and that you’re circling your rotating nose hair trimmer all the way around the entry of the second nostril until it’s cleanly trimmed.
How To Clean And Store The Nose Hair Trimmer
It isn’t enough to just know how to use a nose hair trimmer. You should also learn how to properly clean and store it.
Here are a few tips:
- Rinse it after every use. The blade attachment is usually removable, and you should use this to help you with cleaning. You should make sure there are no more hairs in it before storing it.
- Disinfect the blades. You should use a barber’s disinfectant spray for this, as it will be the most effective solution.
- Make sure you’ve stored the nose hair trimmer in a dry and clean place. If it has a case, keep it in it.
How To Use A Nose Hair Trimmer For Different Parts Of The Face
Despite there being different brands and designs, you can follow these steps as a general guide to use your device. We’re covering how to trim different areas of the face for the easiest and best results. We still recommend checking the instructions that come with your model.
Nose Hair
Use the correct attachment (if there are multiple) which should look like a rotary blade or a more linear, thin blade. Turn it on, then put it inside the nostril at a slight angle. Don’t push it up too high – remember you realistically only need to trim the hairs that are sticking out.
In a gentle and slow motion, move it throughout the nostril to get all angles. Don’t forget about the small crevice at the tip of the nose. It’s normal to hear a buzzing noise, which is the sound of your hairs being cut.
If you feel like certain hairs aren’t being reached, ensure that the blades are actually touching the hairs. Clean the blade after every use. Some models can be cleaned in water, while others come with a mini brush that pushes out the hairs.
Look in the mirror to see if you missed any hairs and repeat.
Ear Hair
The same steps for grooming your nose hairs apply to your ear hairs. There are just a few extra things to remember: Never put the blades over 5mm inside the ear – only cut the hairs that are sticking out.
After testing, we think that rotary blades work most comfortably in the ears, but it’s up to personal preference. Even the quietest motors might sound a little loud since the instrument is so close to the ears.
Eyebrows
Use the correct attachment (if there are multiple) which should look like a linear, thin blade. Rotary blades do not work very well for eyebrows. Attach the eyebrow comb onto the blades – this will protect your eyebrows from being shaven off completely. Some comb pieces are adjustable so you can cut anywhere from 3mm or above.
Use a small brush to comb through your eyebrows. Do this in the direction that they’re growing, which will be outwards.
Power on the device and move the comb slowly over the eyebrow starting at the outer edge. By doing this in the opposite course of hair growth, the blades will be able to pick up the longer, unruly strands that are sticking out. Clean the blade after every use. Some models can be cleaned in water, while others come with a mini brush that pushes out the hairs.
Sideburns, Neck Hair & Beard Detailing
Use the correct attachment (if there are multiple) which should look like a linear, flat blade that is larger than the regular trimming blade. Rotary blades do not work for sideburns.
To get the most effective result, it’s best to shave in the opposite direction of where your hair is growing. Putting the blade/comb piece directly against the skin and moving slowly is also the best way to get a clean trim.
Nose Hair Trimmer Grooming Tips
Now that you know how to use a nose hair trimmer, here are a few tips that can help you perfect your trimming job:
- Moisten the inside of your nose with a wet cloth. Place a damp cloth or tissue on your index finger, then stick it inside a nose. This way, you’ll separate nose hairs and make everything much easier for the trim.
- Don’t Trim What’s Not Visible! As we’ve mentioned before, nose hair has its purpose. You shouldn’t go in too deep or worry too much about trimming the hairs that aren’t visible. Not only will that not do anything, but it can also be very harmful.
- Decide on the type of nose hair trimmer that works the best for you. Some people prefer manual nose trimmers that don’t work on electricity. However, they usually require you use both of your hands. On the other side, electric nose trimmers are much more comfortable, but they tend to cost more and sometimes have cords.
- Don’t store a moist or wet trimmer. Always make sure it’s entirely dry beforehand.
Dealing With Ingrown Nose Hairs And Irritation
If you’ve never been sure how to use a nose hair trimmer properly, chances are this may have caused some ingrowing hairs or at a bare minimum, some irritation in the nostrils.
While these spots can become extremely painful, there are a few things that may help you get some relief.
Moisten
Warm water might help your dry, irritated skin feel better. Take a piece of cloth and dampen it with warm water, then put it over your index finger. Gently insert the cloth inside the nostril, and let it sit there for a few minutes.
This method is also great for preventing future ingrown hairs, as it keeps your skin from drying. The softer your skin is – the fewer consequences you’ll deal with later.
If there is a certain spot that’s irritating you, take the same damp cloth and rub it against it for up to a minute. This can help loosen any ingrown hair that you might be dealing with.
Disinfect
Hydrogen peroxide and rubbing alcohol are two substances that can help you make sure the would doesn’t get infected.
Take a cotton swab and soak it with hydrogen or alcohol, then dab the ingrown hair with it. This will disinfect it and keep the irritation from increasing.
You can also use antibacterial ointment. Just make sure you wash your hands before using it, as this is the only way to ensure everything is sterile. Apply only a thin layer, as the skin inside your nose can be very sensitive. This ointment can also help you by softening any sharp hairs that might irritate you after trimming.
FAQs
Is it bad to trim nose hairs?
On the contrary – grooming your nose hairs is a great way to clean up your look.
Trimming, as opposed to waxing or plucking, is actually the safest and quickest way to groom nose, ear, and eyebrow hairs. That’s because it doesn’t pull hairs from the root, which can cause infections and prevent the hairs from doing their job of reducing allergies and stopping dirt from getting into the body.
Does trimming nose hair reduce boogers?
Believe it or not, boogers serve more of a purpose than you’d think. They actually prevent your nostrils from drying out, and they also act as purifiers to the air you breathe.
The amount of mucus you get depends on various conditions, like the humidity levels, amount of times you blow your nose, or allergies from changing weather patterns. Trimming won’t necessarily reduce boogers, apart from the fact that said boogers won’t have as much surface area to cling onto since there are fewer or shorter hairs.
If you’re really worried about the amount of mucus being produced inside your nose, it’s best to see your practitioner.
Does trimming nose hair make it grow faster?
No, they do not grow faster. A possible reason behind this thought (apart from the age-old myth) is that hairs will grow back quicker than if you were to pluck them – which makes sense when you think about it since trimming doesn’t involve pulling the hairs from the root.
When hairs are pulled from their base, they will take longer to grow back compared to being trimmed halfway down. As we’ve already mentioned, though, plucking is quite dangerous and can lead to infection.
Trimming needs to be done a little more often, but you’re avoiding a whole lot of nasty possible side effects that come with plucking.
