Tyler Brooks
Ear candling is an alternative medicine practice that involves placing a lit, cone-shaped candle into the ear to create a vacuum that is supposed to remove earwax and other impurities. While some people advocate for its benefits, medical professionals generally advise against it, citing a lack of scientific evidence and potential risks such as burns, blockages, and ear infections. Despite the controversy, many people are interested in trying ear candling, but it is recommended to have assistance from a friend or family member to minimise the risk of injury.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| What is ear candling? | A form of alternative medicine that involves placing a lit, cone-shaped candle into the ear. |
| Length of ear candles | 10 inches or 20 to 30 cm long |
| What are ear candles made of? | Cotton or linen, beeswax, essential oils, gauze, powdered plant parts, paraffin, or soy wax |
| Who performs ear candling? | Herbalist, massage therapist, or beauty salon specialist |
| Risks | Burns, blockages in the ear canal, ear infections, eardrum perforations, ash in the ear, and increased earwax buildup |
| Effectiveness | No scientific evidence that ear candling is effective for earwax removal or other health benefits |
| Safe alternatives for earwax removal | Over-the-counter ear drops, oil or glycerin drops, irrigation with a medical syringe, or professional cleaning by a doctor |
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What You'll Learn
Preparing the ear candle
Ear candles are hollow fabric cones soaked in wax or paraffin. They are around 10 inches long and can be purchased for a few dollars each.
To prepare the ear candle, start by cutting a hole in a paper or foil plate. This will ensure that candle wax and ash do not fall on your face. Next, size the tapered end of the candle to your ear. The candle should fit the contours of your ear canal. Use scissors to trim the end, making the opening slightly larger so it fills the ear canal. Make sure there is a clear pathway from one end of the candle to the other. If necessary, use a sharp, pointy object to remove any obstruction from the smaller end. Before you begin the candling process, wash your hands and wipe off your ear with a moist cloth.
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Positioning your body
To position your body for ear candling, you should lie on your side with the ear to be treated facing upwards. The candle should be placed through a hole in a paper or foil plate to catch any wax drippings. The small, tapered end of the candle should be positioned in your ear canal, with the plate preventing hot wax from dripping onto your outer ear and causing harmful burns. The candle should be kept in a vertically upright position, at an approximate 30-degree angle when sitting upright.
It is important to ensure a secure fit to prevent smoke from escaping between your ear and the small end of the candle. If the fit is not secure, readjust your position or try again with a new candle.
While lying on your side, cover your head with a damp towel. Massage the area behind your jawbone, around your temple, and your scalp for 30 seconds.
The candle should be lit at the large end and allowed to burn for 10-20 minutes. It is important to trim the candle every two inches to prevent it from burning too short, which could cause burns to your scalp or deposit candle wax in your ear canal. The session is complete when the candle stub is a few inches from your head.
It is important to note that ear candling is not a medically approved practice and can pose serious health risks, including burns and damage to the middle ear.
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Lighting the candle
Ear candling is an alternative medicine practice that involves placing a lit, hollow candle in your ear. The warmth of the candle's flame is supposed to create a vacuum that pulls earwax and debris into the candle. However, it's important to note that the medical community does not recommend ear candling as it may be ineffective and potentially dangerous. If you choose to proceed with ear candling, it is strongly advised to have a friend or family member assist you to minimise the risk of injury.
Preparing the candle
Before lighting the candle, ensure that you have properly sized the tapered, or small, end of the candle to your ear. The candle should be fitted to the size and contours of your ear for the safest and most effective candling process. Use scissors to trim the end if necessary, making the opening slightly larger so it fills the ear canal. Check that there is a clear pathway from one end of the candle to the other.
- Lie on your side with the ear to be treated facing up.
- Insert the pointed end of the candle into your ear. The candle should be placed through a hole in a paper or foil plate to catch any wax drippings.
- Get your assistant to light the open end of the candle.
- As the candle burns, use scissors to trim away any burnt material.
- Allow the candle to burn for about 15 minutes, or until the candle stub is a few inches from your head.
- Carefully blow out the flame and remove the candle.
Aftercare
- Wipe the outer ear clean with a cotton ball or pad.
- The candle can be cut open to display the inside materials, which some claim is proof that ear candling works.
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Trimming the candle
- Before lighting the candle, use scissors to trim the skinny, tapered end of the candle to fit your ear canal. Ensure it is not too narrow, as you want to create a clear pathway from one end of the candle to the other.
- After lighting the candle, let it burn for approximately 15 minutes. During this time, burnt material will accumulate at the base of the wick, so it is important to trim the candle every two inches to prevent debris from forming. Use a sharp cutting tool, such as scissors or a wick trimmer, to trim the candle into a bowl of water. This will catch any falling debris and prevent it from landing on your skin or in the wax.
- Repeat the trimming process as needed throughout the candling session. Aim to trim the candle at least every 4 hours of burn time to maintain an optimal experience.
- For best results, allow the candle to burn down to within 3-4 inches of the end. At this point, extinguish the flame and let the candle cool down to room temperature.
- Once the candle has cooled, use a wick trimmer or scissors to trim the wick to a height of ¼ inch above the wax. This will help extend the life of the candle and ensure a clean and even burn during future use.
Remember, proper ear candling requires a consistent trimming routine. Always trim the candle before each use, and keep an eye out for "mushrooming," which is a sign that it's time to extinguish the flame and trim the wick.
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Removing the candle
Ear candling is usually done with the help of another person. However, if you are alone, you can follow these steps to remove the candle:
First, ensure that the candle has burned for about 15 minutes. The session is done when the candle stub is a few inches from your head.
Next, carefully blow out the flame. Do not blow with force as this may cause hot wax to drip onto your face. Instead, gently blow until the flame goes out.
Now, you can carefully remove the candle from your ear. Be cautious not to touch the candle to your face or ear as it will be hot.
After removing the candle, wipe your outer ear clean with a cotton ball or pad.
Finally, cut open the candle to inspect the inside. Proponents of ear candling claim that the dark, waxy substance sometimes found inside is proof that the treatment works, as it is earwax and other impurities removed from the ear. However, studies have shown that this substance is simply a blend of burned candle wax and fabric.
While ear candling is a popular alternative approach to removing earwax, it is important to note that medical experts advise against it due to safety concerns and a lack of evidence of its effectiveness.
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Frequently asked questions
No, medical experts advise against it. It can cause serious harm to your ear and there is no evidence that it works.
Lie on your side with the ear to be treated facing up. Insert the candle into your ear and light the other end. As the candle burns, trim away the burnt material. Blow out the flame when the candle stub is a few inches from your head.
Supporters of ear candling claim that it softens earwax and removes wax and impurities from the ear. It is also said to improve hearing and treat conditions like sinus infections, colds, and tinnitus.
The risks include burns, blockages in the ear canal, ear infections, and eardrum perforations. There is also the possibility of hot wax and ash burning your face or ears.
Yes, there are several alternatives such as over-the-counter ear drops, oil or glycerin drops, and irrigation of the ears using a syringe and body-temperature water.
