If you’re struggling with breakouts along your hairline, behind your ears, or on your neck, you might be blaming your shampoo or conditioner. But a top dermatologist suggests looking at a different culprit: the band and wires of your headphones and earbuds.
The issue is friction and trapped sweat. A skin expert explains that the headband of over-ear headphones creates a line of pressure across your scalp and forehead. This can trap sweat and oil, leading to “pomade acne” style breakouts along the hairline. Similarly, the wires from earbuds can rub against your neck, causing a line of irritation and pimples.
This is a frequently overlooked form of acne mechanica. The dermatologist notes that people are often so focused on the earpieces themselves that they forget about the other parts of the device that make prolonged contact with their skin. The constant, subtle friction from a dangling wire can be enough to trigger inflammation in sensitive individuals.
To solve the problem, you need to think about the entire device. The expert recommends wiping down not just the earpads but also the entire headband of your headphones. For earbuds, try switching to a wireless pair to eliminate the wire friction on your neck. If you use a wired pair, try to position the wire so it doesn’t rub against your skin.
A targeted cleansing approach can also help. After a long listening session, make sure to pay special attention to cleansing your hairline and neck to remove any trapped oil and sweat. If breakouts persist, a dermatologist can help determine the exact cause and recommend appropriate treatments for these specific areas.
