The next time you're in the shower, don't forget to scrub a little soap behind the ears. Dermatologists say it's a small step with huge consequences if left unclean.Dirt, skin cells the body routinely sheds and oil (sebum) can easily get trapped in the folds and creases of the skin. Behind the ears is no exception. Dr. Roger Kapoor, MD, a dermatologist and senior vice president at Beloit Memorial Hospital, says the filth builds up quickly behind the ears.This worsens in the summer when you're applying sunscreen and other lotions but not washing them off afterwards, says dermatologistDr. Anna Chacon, MD, FAAD. "As often as you wash other parts of your body, I would add behind the ears to the list of parts to clean," she adds.Related: People Are Showering in the Wrong Order, Dermatologists Say
What Happens When You Forget To Clean Behind the Ears?
Dr. Kapoor says shampoo can somewhat help with cleaning behind the ears because the ingredients in many hair cleaning products are designed to break down oil and bacteria. That being said, he doesn't recommend relying only on shampoo to keep the back of your ears clean.That's because shampoos wash away when rinsing, so they don't have prolonged contact with the skin behind the ears unless you directly scrub in the area. "I always recommend people wash the skin behind their ears intentionally and specifically to get into the creases of where the ear meets your skin, as it can always trap grime," he advises.There's no special method to clean behind your ears. Use the same gentle soap you would lather on the rest of your body, and gently scrub the skin behind your ears for a few seconds with your fingers. Then, rinse the area with water and dry it well. If you wear glasses, Dr. Kapoor says to wash the arms of your glasses regularly since they rest behind your ears and can easily transfer bacteria to the skin.Don't forget to moisturize to avoid dryness and further skin problems.
Related: You Should *Never* Leave This Item in the Shower, Dermatologists Warn
Sources:
Roger Kapoor, MD, is a dermatologist and senior vice president at Beloit Memorial Hospital.Anna Chacon, MD, FAADSpatial diversity of the skin bacteriome. Frontiers in Microbiology.Seborrheic dermatitis. National Library of Medicine MedlinePlus. Read More Details
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