We don’t often hear the term “butt wax”. Partly because it doesn’t regularly come up in conversation, but also because it’s usually an addition to a Brazilian or bikini wax rather than its own stand-alone appointment.
The intention behind the add-on is pretty straightforward: wanting this part of your body to be as hairless as the rest.
However, anal surgeon and founder of sexual health brand Future Method, Dr Evan Goldstein, spoke to Well+Good on why you might want to rethink this routine appointment.
The skin around the anus is delicate
When it’s not handled with care, waxing this particular area of skin can result in serious and incredibly uncomfortable microtears or, at the very least, a breakout.
“A lot of the places that do the waxing and all the other stuff are not really anal specific,” explained Dr Goldstein.
“They’re not really understanding how fragile that tissue is. Especially as you get really close to the anal opening, especially with women. Front and back and the butt is very, very soft and fragile. It’s such a thin tissue.”
You run the risk of infection
Plus, as it turns out, the actual method of hair removal isn’t all that effective. “When you look at waxing, the problem that I see a lot of is that you’re not getting rid of the hair follicle,” said Dr. Goldstein.
“As it grows back, it can grow back in a very funky way. Meaning you can get a significant amount of pimples and acne.” Not to mention ingrown hairs.
And it doesn’t stop there. Dr Goldstein also cautioned that ingrown hairs then run the risk of causing an abscess or becoming infected.
An angry ingrown hair between your bum cheeks? No thank you.
You might expose yourself to an STI
Between the joys of tearing, tissue damage and butt acne at risk of infection, Dr Goldstein also explains that regular waxing of our butts may result in the removal of a little more than just hair.
Good bacteria that has intentionally grown in this area to protect us from sexually transmitted infections are also stripped away with an abrasive waxing session, leaving you unprotected and at risk of contracting something.
So what’s the solution? Au natural for the rest of our days?
“I push laser hair [removal] a lot” said Dr Goldstein, speaking of his preferred butt hair removal method.
Laser Clinics Australia offer their ‘behind’ sessions for $49 a pop. And while it might be a little pricier than a wax, when we factor in the above reasons, we think it’s worth it.
Have you tried laser hair removal?
Not something I would ever consider.
It truly is something that we don’t think too much about – I think laser is a great option for those who need this. Sounds much safer.
Laser does sound much safer for those who need to do this.
I have tried laser hair removal and love it. I would highly recommend it 🙂
Ditto! I had a full Brazillian, so they dealt with all of that!
ooooh! I thought on tough areas that lasers do not work. Just partially. I used at home IPL and it is great in tackling body hair, but not the privates. Now I am interested! It removes everything? How many sessions?
I had a lot of salon sessions for my Brazillian – over a dozen, but I’m as bare as Dr Evil’s pussy now!
When I won my home IPL device (Babyliss), it worked better on my armpits than my leg hair. Armpit hair is similar to pubes – dark & coarse; my leg hair is gingerish brown & finer in texture.
I had a lot of salon sessions for my Brazillian – over a dozen, but I’m as bare as Dr Evil’s pussy now!
I couldn’t write my whole comment in one post, so I hope this works:
When I won my home IPL device (Babyliss), it worked better on my armpits than my leg hair. Armpit hair is similar to pubes – dark & coarse; my leg hair is gingerish brown & finer in texture.
Thank you for the reply! I am booking. This area lasering is not exxy and can handle dozen or so sessions. Yas
When I won my home IPL device (Babyliss), it worked better on my armpits than my leg hair. Armpit hair is similar to pubes – dark & coarse; my leg hair is gingerish brown & finer in texture.
When I won my home IPL device (Babyliss), it worked better on my armpits than my leg hair. Armpit hair is similar to pubes – dark & coarse; my leg hair is gingerish brown & finer in texture.
Yohanna: I couldn’t write my whole reply in one message.
When I won my home IPL device (Babyliss), it worked better on my armpits than my leg hair. Armpit hair is similar to pubes – dark & coarse; my leg hair is gingerish brown & finer in texture.
Yohanna:
When I won my home IPL device (Babyliss), it worked better on my armpits than my leg hair. Armpit hair is similar to pubes – dark & coarse; my leg hair is gingerish brown & finer in texture.
SORRY FOR THE DUPLICATED COMMENTS!
They didn’t post at the time, so I kept trying – now, they’re ALL showing!
Butt no to waxing or laser!!!
lol love the pun/play of words typo there Frenchy! : )
Good news, I’ve never intended to get that done.
Waxing that area sounds painful!
I totally agree – imagine getting ingrowns down there..
Because if I moon someone, I don’t want to be judged, right?
Guidance counsellors never mention Anal Surgeon. I guess most of us have had to deal with a-holes in the workplace – that’s definitely unavoidable if you’re an anal surgeon!
A-holes in the workplace. too right.
Laser is the way to go
Well, that’s never crossed my mind.
OMG I never would do this, I might consider laser hair removal for other parts of my anatomy but I’ve never even considered hair removal for my anus.
Shaving is ok though me thinks.
As long as you don’t yourself- arrghy ouch!
Ouch! Laser is the way to go!
Lost for words, actually. Not my scene.
I was unaware of this “procedure”.
Oh my this sound awful, must admit I have never even considered having this done and no one I know has mentioned it before.
I’d never even realised there was such thing as an anus surgeon before!!
Yes and am all for it, would never imagine not having it done.
Ouch, thanks for the heads up. Not sure why anyone would want to remove the hairs around their butthole anyway, but each to their own!
Laser hair removal is really ideal to reduce hair. I would recommend it for that
I can’t seem to write my whole reply to Yohanna’s reply to me, so …
When I won my home IPL device (Babyliss), it worked better on my armpits than my leg hair. Armpit hair is similar to pubes – dark & coarse; my leg hair is gingerish brown & finer in texture.
I can’t seem to type my whole reply to Yohanna’s reply to me, above.
I found IPL worked better on my coarse armpit hair than my finer, gingerish brown leg hair.
I have different machine than yours. I think mine is weaker, only one setting. Also brown and fine blonde mix body hair, but coarse very dark private/armpit. Device’s pamphlet states not to use on the privates. I did and did not work at all. Armpits 70% removal. Legs 85-90%.
Seriously, do people really do this?!!
we wont look at macarons the same anymore lol
Not something I have ever considered…
it definitely decreased my hair. but I haven’t maintained the every 6 months to once a year session to keep it all maintained. but my hair has never grown the same way ever again.
Not something I have considered, to be honest
Not on my to do list!
I’m not particularly hairy and have never felt the need to do this.
No I have never done this
I have not specifically purchased laser hair removal treatment for this area but when the therapist has voluntarily asked if I want this area lasered, I don’t hesitate.
No thanks.