The one body part you're probably cleaning incorrectly
Let's talk about hygiene: Washing your body is a no-brainer—the hardest part about that is deciding which natural soap scent you prefer. Then there's the debate about how often you should really shampoo, but it's not like you're going to completely destroy your locks if you wash your hair every day.
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Your ears, on the other hand? That's where most people are pretty clueless.
From Q-Tips to ear candling (yup, it's a thing), there are a lot of things that people will try in the name of cleanliness—but not a lot of clarity as to what actually works. I consulted a specialist—AKA an otolaryngologist—to get the answer on the baffling body part, once and for all.
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"The bottom line is that some people have a perception that ear wax is dirty," says Erich Voigt, MD. "The truth is that it's actually a protective coating for the ear canal." Who knew—there's a beautiful purpose behind that decidedly non-gorgeous stuff.
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But how do you clean things up in that area, really? Keep reading for Dr. Voigt's best recommendations:
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