Skin Care Down There (Incl. Butt Acne, Hyperpigmentation, & More)

Dr. Sam Ellis, dermatologist, gives us the low-down:

Where the sun don’t shine

Common complaints and remedies that Dr. Ellis covers in this video include:

• Butt acne/folliculitis: most butt breakouts are actually folliculitis, not traditional acne. Folliculitis is caused by friction, sitting for long periods, or wearing tight clothes. Solutions include antimicrobial washes like benzoyl peroxide and changing sitting habits (i.e. to sit less)
• Keratosis pilaris: rough bumps around hair follicles can appear on the butt, often confused with acne.
• Boils and abscesses: painful, large lumps; these need medical attention for drainage.
• Hidradenitis suppurativa: recurrent painful cysts and boils in skin creases, often in the groin and buttocks. These require medical intervention and treatment.
• Ingrown hairs: are common in people who shave or wax. Treat with warm compresses and gentle exfoliants.
• Hyperpigmentation: is often caused by hormonal changes, friction, or other irritation. Laser hair removal and gentle chemical exfoliants can help.

In the event that the sun does, in fact, shine on your genitals (for example you sunbathe nude and have little or no pubic hair), then sun protection is essential to prevent further darkening (and also, incidentally, reduce the risk of cancer).

For more on all of this, plus a general introduction to skincare in the bikini zone (i.e. if everything’s fine there right now and you’d like to keep it that way), enjoy:

Click Here If The Embedded Video Doesn’t Load Automatically!

Want to learn more?

You might also like to read:

The Evidence-Based Skincare That Beats Product-Specific Hype

Take care!