Products and appliances

Nose and beard trimmers

Nose and beard trimmers

Nose and beard trimmers are popular home beauty products. But as with all electrical appliances, they do come with safety risks. 

Although nose and beard trimmers come as specialist models, there are also multi-grooming kits available with multiple attachments for beards, stubble, nose, ears, and even hair trimming and body grooming. 

Nose and ear trimmers are typically smaller with a circular or rotary blade system for safe, precise cutting. Beard and stubble trimmers often have multiple length guards for different styling options.  

A common design for trimmers is to use rotary cutters which trims hair in a circular motion, but vacuum trimmers pull hair into the device to cut it, then collect the clippings in a small internal chamber to prevent mess.  

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Key points

  • Although nose and beard trimmers come as specialist models, there are also multi-grooming kits available with multiple attachments for beards, stubble, nose, ears, and even hair trimming and body grooming. 
  • Nose and ear trimmers are typically smaller with a circular or rotary blade system for safe, precise cutting. Beard and stubble trimmers often have multiple length guards for different styling options.  
  • A common design for trimmers is to use rotary cutters which trims hair in a circular motion, but vacuum trimmers pull hair into the device to cut it, then collect the clippings in a small internal chamber to prevent mess.  

Buying a nose or beard trimmer

  • Whichever you choose, buy from a reputable retailer rather than a third-party seller online, as the product may not have passed all the necessary safety checks. Make sure it is fitted with a standard UK 3-pin plug and fuse 
  • You will find lots of online reviews of nose and beard trimmers but don’t rely solely on these as they can be faked by unscrupulous sellers. 
  • Safety features can include dual edge blades which prevent hair from being pulled, ergonomic grips for secure handling and protective caps for safe storage. Several models are washable which can be more hygienic and easier to keep clean. 
  • Register your product so you can be contacted easily if there is a safety recall of your product. It’s also much easier to return a faulty item or order a repair if it’s registered. 

Using a nose or beard trimmer safely

  • Only charge the trimmer with the adaptor supplied. And make sure you keep the trimmer, adapter, plug, and cable dry. 
  • Check the voltage on the adaptor corresponds to the local mains voltage before you plug it in. Once you’ve finished using the trimmer, unplug it. 
  • Don’t submerge the trimmer or adaptor in water, or under running water. And if it falls into water, unplug it first before removing. 
  • If you notice an odd smell or any sparking, or any cracks or damage, unplug the trimmer immediately and contact the retailer and/or manufacturer. 

ALWAYS

  • Do plenty of research first [link to gov site?] before buying.  
  • Buy a known and trusted brand from a reputable retailer. 
  • Register your trimmer with the manufacturer.  
  • Charge a trimmer only with the adapter provided. 

AVOID

  • Buying from third-party sellers online. 
  • Submerging the trimmer or adapter in water. 
  • Leaving a trimmer plugged in after use. 
  • Using a trimmer if you notice any damage or sparks. 

Stay safe with electrical products

Check plugs and sockets

Don't ignore burn marks, ‘arcing’ (buzzing or crackling) sounds, fuses blowing, circuit-breakers tripping, or if it feels hot to touch.

Unplug and contact the retailer, manufacturer, or a qualified repair technician. 

Protect with an RCD

An RCD (residual current device) in your consumer unit (fusebox) protects you from electric shocks if a product is faulty.

If you don’t have RCD protection, use an RCD plug on the socket where the product is plugged in.

Fit smoke and heat alarms

Ensure there is at least one smoke or heat alarm per floor in your property. Fit enough alarms to cover all areas where a fire could start.

Test alarms at least once a month. Replace them every ten years or when the replace by date is reached.

Selected FAQs

If you’re unsure about an appliance or product, you’re not alone. These FAQs bring together expert advice and answers to the questions people ask us most, so you can feel more confident at home.

View all consumer faqs

It is recommended that periodic inspection and testing is carried out at the following times:

  • for tenanted properties, every 5 years or at each change of occupancy, whichever is sooner
  • at least every 10 years for an owner-occupied home
  • at least every 5 years for a business

The Landlords and Tenant Act 1985 requires landlords of properties with short leases to keep the electrical wiring in repair and in proper working order. We recommend landlords arrange for periodic inspection and testing to be carried out by a registered electrician at the relevant intervals shown above.

Periodic inspection and testing of the electrics should be carried out more frequently on the places and premises listed here:

  • 3 years for a caravan
  • 1 year for a swimming pool

Periodic inspection and testing should be carried out only by electrically competent persons, such as registered electricians.

First, you need to find out whether the electrician you used is actually registered. To do this, contact the operator of the scheme they have claimed to be part of, and they will tell you whether this is the case. If they are registered, the scheme operator can guide you through their complaints procedure.

If you find out the electrician misled you and is not registered, you should report this to your local Trading Standards Department as they are breaking the law. We would also recommend that you get an Electrical Installation Condition Report (EICR) carried out on your home; this will assess any work that has been undertaken and will act as sufficient documentation to certify that work. This needs to be carried out by a registered electrician and unfortunately will be an added cost for you.

A woman cleaning her electric toothbrush

Additional info

Keeping a trimmer clean and sanitised is important. Most trimmers have a compartment that twists off so you can dispose of hair collected in there. Wiping a trimmer with a cotton ball soaked in rubbing alcohol to kill any bacteria is usually fine to do but always check the manufacturer’s instructions first and only clean it when it’s unplugged. 

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