Click here to read Ginger Hodulik Downey’s book The Esthetician’s Guide to Outstanding Esthetics.

Believe it or not, many spas are now offering Fanny Facials—a treatment focused solely on clearing and firming the skin on your butt. The reviews sound great, but not everyone has the budget or comfort level to engage in this type of luxury, so I’d like to talk about how you can keep your backside looking great with some good at-home care.

We need to begin by understanding that the skin on your buttocks differs from the skin on your face. It is thicker and has smaller pores. Therefore, when you get an inflamed hair follicle or pimple it does not form a white head, but rather a condition called folliculitis—an infection of the hair follicle. Folliculitis is usually caused by Staphylococcus aureus, a type of staph bacterium that is always present on the skin. The infection happens when it manages to break through the skin and travel down the hair follicle. This is very common and treatable through some good home care. In some cases, the infection grows and forms a very painful boil. Boils should not be squeezed or popped. This will not clear them, but rather will spread the infection and make things worse. Boils should be treated by your dermatologist or general doctor.

Keeping Your Rear Clear

Keeping your fanny smooth does not require too much time and effort. Your daily care routine and personal habits will go a long way to creating a healthy environment for your behind.

  1. Cleanse daily with soap and water. Yes, you need to use soap, not just water. If you are prone to bumps, you can choose a body wash that contains salicylic or lactic acid.
  2. Exfoliate gently with a loofah or clean washcloth. Do not use harsh scrubs as they will cause more inflammation, not less. I personally like to use Alba Organics Acnedote Face & Body Scrub once per week. It is a very gentle exfoliator with salicylic acid.
  3. When you are experiencing a breakout, you can try using a tea tree oil spray once per day. It is anti-bacterial and will help clear the folliculitis. Zinc ointments are also very effective if you can get past the memory of putting it on your baby’s bottom and think of the good it will do for you.
  4. Change out of wet clothes immediately after a workout and choose loose fitting pants and underwear made from breathable fabrics like cotton to encourage airflow. Workouts and any activity that cause you to sweat can cause breakouts. Bacteria and yeast love moist environments.
  5. For those who wax the hair back there, do so with care! Excessive waxing can cause folliculitis as well.

Preventing and treating those annoying bumps on your butt is a good practice for general self-care and hygiene even if your fanny will never see the light of day this summer (or any other day of the year). We all like to look and feel our best!

Click here to read Ginger Hodulik Downey’s book The Esthetician’s Guide to Outstanding Esthetics.

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