One thing about being an adult we weren’t told back then is that acne can attack any part of your body. If they don’t invade your face, you see them on your chest, arms, or back. And that’s not even all. Have you ever touched your buttocks and felt little pimples there? If you have, you’re not alone. Butt acne is a thing.
They’re hidden. At least that’s the good thing. Even you can’t see them unless you use a mirror. But what about when you wanna rock a bikini to the beach? What about when it’s time to get naughty with your spouse? How hidden will those breakouts on your buttocks be?
Now you see what I’m saying!
It’s about time we got rid of those annoying pimples on your bum. And if you agree with me, this piece will show you how to go about that. Let’s dive in.
What Causes Butt Acne?
In the words of Joshua Zeichner, MD, director of cosmetic and clinical research in dermatology at Mount Sinai, New York City:
“Butt acne is usually not true acne, but rather folliculitis, which is a mild infection of the hair follicle that leads to red bumps and pus pimples,”
Joshua Zeichner
So, yeah. Those breakouts may not actually be zits but an irritation of the hair follicles around your buttocks. The irritation happens for any of these reasons:
- Repeated friction from tight-fitting clothes
- Sweat
- Non-breathable underwear
- Hormones
- Certain foods
- Stress
- Bacteria such as Staphylococcus aureus.
- Genetics
- Shaving or waxing
- Bad hygiene, etc
These things can send your oil glands into overdrive, enlarge your pores, and result in bumps around your other cheeks.
Types of Buttocks Acne
Before we get right into how to cure butt acne, there’s something you should know: This condition is of different types. So, if you’re not careful, you may wind up using the wrong product for your condition.
Wanna avoid that? Great. Check out the types of buttocks bumps and figure out the one you have:
Hidradenitis suppurativa
Also known as acne inversa, Hidradenitis suppurativa (HS), is a condition whereby infected sweat glands create big, painful bumps (in mild cases), or large, pus-filled boils (in severe cases). The bumps are usually larger and more painful than a regular pimple. And sometimes, they recur in the exact same spot.
HS occurs in areas around your body that tend to have sweaty friction such as your butt, armpits, groin, and underbust. It isn’t as common as other types of buttock bumps and requires you to see a doctor rather than stick to self-medication.
HS is the least common of all the possible butt bumps on this list.
Clogged Pores
This is the regular acne you’re familiar with. It happens when oil, dirt, and dead skin cells remain in your skin. They end up clogging your pores to create bumps or pimples.
Keratosis Pilaris
Keratosis pilaris (KP) is a skin condition where excess keratin builds up in your hair follicles, and causes rough little skin-colored bumps. It mostly happens on the backs of your arms, thighs, or butt and they may look like tiny pimples or goosebumps.
Furthermore, genetics is one of the main causes of KP. And even though it has no absolute cure, you can use home remedies or professional treatments to soften it.
Skin Abscesses (Boils)
If there’s a very large, painful pimple or a cluster of large pimples on your buttocks, there’s a high chance you have a boil.
Boils can form anywhere on the body, including the buttocks. They happen when your hair follicles get infected and they can be really painful.
Folliculitis
This is what most people refer to as butt acne. But it’s an inflammation of your hair follicles.
Yes, you have hair follicles nearly everywhere on your skin, even your bum. And if a hair follicle gets irritated, it will turn red and swell. This will then form a white head that looks like butt acne.
In addition, the bumps from folliculitis can sometimes be painful or itchy.
How to Treat Butt Acne
1. Maintain a Proper Hygiene
One of the easiest ways to treat butt acne is to live a hygienic lifestyle. Washing up regularly reduces butt bumps by removing dirt and bacteria buildup from sweat.
So, always bathe after exercising or doing anything that gets you sweaty.
2. Wear Breathable Fabrics
Avoid wearing non-breathable clothes like nylon and polyester during stressful tasks. They trap in sweat and cause friction down there. Instead, wear breathable fabrics like cotton. They prevent sweat from getting trapped against your skin.
Also, opt for loose-fitting clothes rather than tight ones. Save your spandex and skinny jeans for later and wear more loose-fitting, breathable bottoms and underwear.
3. Exfoliate Regularly
What better way to get rid of dead skin cells than exfoliating? Exfoliating helps discard lifeless cells. And when these cells are no longer on your skin, your skincare products penetrate easily and work better.
In addition, exfoliation also brightens your skin and helps to maintain its glow. But to enjoy these benefits, you have to first know how to exfoliate properly.
4. Avoid Popping Your Butt Pimples
Resist the urge to pop or pick the bumps on your butt. It does no good. Instead, it’ll cause scars and may even introduce bacteria into the wound, thereby causing an infection.
5. Don’t Use Facial Acne Treatment Down There
If your dermatologist didn’t ask you to, don’t use medications for facial acne on your buttocks. This is because many of these treatments for facial acne may not be effective for butt acne since it usually has different underlying causes.
6. Opt for Over-the-Counter Treatment
If after doing all these and your symptoms persist, opt for medical treatment. They include creams, chemical peels, body lotions, topical retinoids, laser hair removal, oral antibiotics, oral birth control (for hormonal acne), Isotretinoin, glycolic acid, salicylic acid, etc.
The key to treating butt acne is to avoid jumping from one product to another. Start slowly and progress but do so on your dermatologist’s directions. Also, don’t use many products at once. You wouldn’t want to create more buildups while trying to eliminate them.
