Nose hairs have a protective role as they act as a barrier against pathogens and therefore it is recommended not to wax them, even if you find them unsightly!
- Nose hairs protect against pathogens.
- They should not be depilated, neither with tweezers nor with hot wax as this increases the risk of infection.
- If they bother you, cut the ones protruding from your nose with a well-sanitized scissor.
If there is one area that should not be waxed, it’s the nose! Still, some have hairs protruding from their nostrils, which can bother them and make them want to eliminate them. But the presence of hair in this place is not due to chance: they serve to protect us from bacteria and infections.
A barrier against viruses, bacteria and other pathogens
The nasal passages are entry points for viruses, bacteria and other pathogens for humans. Nose hairs therefore form a kind of natural physical barrier that limits their access to the body. Moreover, according to the journal The SunWhen “A irritant touches a hair of the nose, it triggers a sneeze, which prevents it from entering further into the nasal passages.”
“Waxing like any other hair removal breaks down this barrier by creating openings for bacteria to enter deeper tissues, creating an opportunity for infection.”, says Dr. Nicole Aaronson, otolaryngologist in the Sun article.
THE Staphylococcus aureus is a bacteria found on the skin or in the nostrils of people. In healthy carriers, it is harmless. But in the event of inflammation – which can therefore be caused by hair removal – this bacterium can activate and trigger a more serious infection.
Do not epilate completely the hairs of the nose, but cut those which protrude
Another advantage of these hairs: they help keep moisture in the nose and therefore humidify the air we breathe, which is better for the lungs.
So, if you really want to get rid of these hairs, it is therefore preferable to use scissors – preferably disinfected beforehand – and to cut only those which protrude from your nostrils, so as to leave this barrier.
