How to Trim Your Nose Hair in 5 Steps, According to Barbers

AS A LONG-TIME hairy fella, I’m consistently relieved at all of the places people enjoy seeing my ever-present (and ever-expanding) human fur. Chest hair? Adored by many. Full beard? Widespread acclaim. Some even dig a bit of back fuzz from time to time (Charlotte York be damned). But there’s one small area where the sight of hair is rarely endearing, and it’s peaking out of your nostrils. No one wants to see a small forest just above your lips.

Thankfully, trimming your nose hair is one of the easiest grooming jobs there is (and much less time-consuming than shaving your back). The whole process can be accomplished in around 15 minutes with the right strategy and tools. On the other hand, without proper guidance and utensils, trimming your nose hair can fall somewhere between painful and flat-out unsuccessful. So, we consulted with a couple of barbers to create a simple, step-by-step guide to nose hair trimming to limit the risks.

Step One: Pick the Right Product

According to Meelo Cervantes, a barber at Church Barber in San Francisco, the two most crucial factors when it comes to trimming your nose hair are precision (more on that later) and using the right tool (more on that now). Even though he rides an old school set up of rounded-tipped scissors, he recognizes that most people will prefer an electric nose hair trimmer. “They’re quick, effective, and usually cheaper than a good pair of facial hair scissors,” he says.

Vinicio Larios, barber and CEO of Fade Masters of Miami in Miami, adds that while scissors are a great resource for minor touch-ups, electric nose hair trimmers are a much safer for most people without professional experience. “Look for a high-quality, battery-operated or rechargeable nose hair trimmer with a rotary blade system that cuts hair cleanly without pulling,” he says. Larios warns against tweezers or regular scissors as they can cause irritation, or worse, injury.

Tweezing (and waxing for that matter) also introduces another major risk—one that could have real consequences for your health. Think of nose hair like traffic lights or ear wax, it may not be pretty, but it ultimately serves an important purpose. See, this hair acts as a natural filtering system for your nose, grabbing and halting bacteria from entering further into your nostrils therefore minimizing the risk of infection. Not to mention, these tiny internal whiskers also trap dust, pollen, and other airborne particles so without them you’d be much more vulnerable to allergens. In short, if your nose is a nightclub, your nose hairs are the bouncers ensuring no creeps get in.

For the most power and quickest jobs, we recommend Panasonic’s nose trimmer (aka the best nose hair trimmer on the market according to our testing) or the Manscaped Weed Whacker (the best rechargeable nose hair trimmer). That being said, both of those are around forty bucks so look to the Philips Norelco Nose Trimmer 5000 (priced at half that!) as a great budget option.

Step Two: Prep Your Nostrils

With that in mind, a great defense requires preparation—even the ‘85 Bears spent a few days each week watching game tape. But rather than having Buddy Ryan bark orders at you about blitz schemes and takeaway opportunities, the process of preparing your nostrils for trimming is much simpler (and quieter). Simply grab a tissue and let it rip. “Start with a good nose blow to clear everything out of there,” says Cervantes. This removes any dust, debris, or mucus that could interfere with the trimming or cause irritation after. After blowing, give your nose a quick inspection for any lingering materials. If there is stubborn mucus or debris, gently remove it with a cotton swab.

While many of the best nose hair trimmers available today are waterproof (like Panasonic and Manscaped’s options mentioned above), Larios says to be extra careful for non-waterproof devices. “If your trimmer isn’t waterproof, ensure your nostrils are dry to prevent clogging the blades with moisture,” he says.

Step Three: Position Yourself (Very) Close to a Mirror

As someone who was once described as “aggressively vain,” I’ll never complain about an excuse to get close to a mirror. But even for me, there are few places I’d rather stare into than my nose. If you also fall into this camp, it’s crucial to push through and put so little distance between you and the mirror (a handheld might help here) that it feels silly. This is so you can ensure you’re being precise and further limit the risk of nicks or cuts.

Both Cervantes and Larios also point to quality lighting as an underrated necessity in this process, as you’ll want to ensure you can see every angle and crevice within your surprisingly difficult-to-navigate nose (they don’t call it digging for gold for nothing). For those who might struggle to see all up in there, or suffer from poor bathroom lighting, Larios has a solve. He recommends tilting your head slightly upward, as this will give you a clearer view inside of your nostrils. Even with proper lighting, this is solid advice to help streamline your nose hair trimming.

Step Four: Trim Your Nose Hair

Didn’t think it’d take four steps to get the actual trimming? It might seem excessive, but if you’ve followed the above advice the step that this has all been leading to will be a safe and effective breeze. Start by opening your nostrils as wide as you and titling your head back, says Cervantes. But don’t fire up your trimmer and shove it into your nostrils, you’ll want to be gentle and precise here (slow and steady, etc.). The technique can also make a huge difference in efficiency and success.

“Slowly rotate the trimmer in small circles to allow the blades to catch stray hairs from different angles,” Larios says. He adds that if your trimmer has a dual-edge blade, you’ll want to use it at different angles to reach hairs near the entrance and along the inner walls of the nostril. You should work in short, controlled movements rather than holding the trimmer stationary in one spot, as this will help reduce irritation and help you trim more easily.

Again, you should avoid trying to eliminate every single hair in there so as to not invite invasive particulars. Instead, focus on only visible strands that are sticking out and easy to see by the naked eye. “You don’t have to get every hair, but you want to make sure nothing is sticking out past your nostrils,” Cervantes says. Repeat this process on both nostrils and you’ll soon be a new man with a beautifully groomed snout.

Step Five: After Care

Not unlike shaving or trimming your beard, the process isn’t over once the hair is gone. To avoid irritation or infection, as well as extend the lifespan of your device, there’s some short aftercare necessary before putting a bow on this whole ordeal. Start by cleaning your device and removing any remaining loose hairs to both reduce infection during your next session and extend the trimmer’s longevity. For waterproof tools, this is easy. Simply run it under the faucet for a few seconds, let it dry, and you’re good to go. Most models that aren’t waterproof will come equipped with a small brush to help you clean it, this might just take a couple of minutes longer.

Then there’s the aftercare within your muzzle itself. Larios suggests first rinsing your nostrils with a saline spray to clear out any remaining loose hairs, before applying a tiny bit of lightweight and fragrance-free moisturizer, especially if you’re prone to dryness (also be sure to avoid any alcohol-based products, as they will only escalate the drying). A couple of options here are La Roche-Posay’s Toleriane Double Repair (the best moisturizer for men with sensitive skin according to our testing) or Baxter of California’s Oil-Free Moisturizer (voted our best moisturizer for men with oily skin).

Finally, just like any day really when it comes to your nose, try not to pick at it. “Avoid touching or rubbing your nose excessively post-trim,” Larios says. This will further help limit irritation, inflammation, infection, or any other feared word that starts with “i”.

You may be tempted to clear your nostrils as often and routinely as possible, not unlike how you might shave your face. However, both Larios and Cervantes warn against being overly attentive with your nose hair trimming. Larios reminds us that over-trimming can lead to removing too much hair and leave you vulnerable to allergens or other invasive particulars. “Every one to two weeks is a good rule of thumb. Over-trimming can remove necessary hair that protects against dust, allergens, and bacteria,” he says.

Cervantes notes that if you’re a beard wearer, it’s a good idea to check for nose hair whenever you’re doing your regular beard trim (assuming you’re not also overdoing that, once every week or two is fine!). “The key is, do it often enough to avoid having nose hair sticking out,” he says.

So you’ve mastered the art of nose trimming and want to move on to the final grooming frontier, your ears. Can you use these same products and processes for those whiskers? The short answer is absolutely. “Use the same electric trimmer, but be extra careful around the delicate skin of the ear canal. A mirror and good lighting are essential,” says Larios. And as Cervantes notes, the core ethos remain the same. “The general principle is the same—don’t hurt yourself.”

• Meelo Cervantes, barber at Church Barber in San Francisco, California with over a decade of experience.
• Vinicio Larios, barber and CEO of Fade Masters of Miami in Miami, Florida.

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