Butt Hair: How To Remove It, Grooming Tips, And More - Healthline

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The Foolproof Guide to Removing (or Keeping) Butt Hair

Medically reviewed by Cynthia Cobb, DNP, APRN, WHNP-BC, FAANP — Written by Adrienne Santos-Longhurst on June 4, 2019

Purpose
Temporary removal
Permanent options
Removal risks
Tips
Takeaway

Having butt hair is natural. However, you may choose to remove it. Options include waxing and shaving, as well as visiting a professional for permanent removal.

Butt hair is a totally normal part of life. Just because your favorite Instagram influencer hasn’t hashtagged #ButtHairOnFleek doesn’t mean that having it is a bad thing.

Butt hair — even deep in the valley of your backwoods — is perfectly normal. Most people have some hair on the cheeks, around the anus, or both.

Does it serve a purpose?

Possibly. Like other human hair, butt hair likely served a purpose millions of years ago, before we evolved into a less hairy type of primate.

In nonhuman hairy primates, hair helps maintain optimal body temperature in different climates, gives babies a way to hold onto their mothers, and helps attract mates.

Humans no longer need that much hair for survival, but some hair has remained because it’s useful. Eyelashes protect your eyes from debris, eyebrows keep sweat out of your eyes, and hair around your anus may prevent chafing between your cheeks.

Removing it — as long as you do so carefully — is unlikely to lead to your extinction or stop you from attracting a mate. So, if you really want to get rid of it, have at it.

Temporary removal options

If you choose to remove it, temporary removal methods are usually the way to go. Butt hair doesn’t grow very fast, meaning that it requires less maintenance than, say, facial hair.

Doing it yourself could prove challenging, given the angle. A wall mirror or a mirror propped on a chair behind you could help.

Shaving

Given the small space you have to work with, a bikini shaver is the best way to go. You could use a razor, but be sure that the blade is sharp. You can also shop online for an inexpensive two-in-one style, like this one.

To minimize irritation:

Wash the area using mild soap and water.
Lather the area with all-natural shaving cream or gel.
Prop one leg up on the side of the tub. Make sure it’s dry so you don’t slip.
Use one hand to pull your cheeks apart and hold the skin taut.
Shave the area very slowly and carefully using small strokes.
Rinse well and pat dry.

Waxing

Waxing pulls the hair out by the roots, allowing you to remain hairless for longer, usually about two to four weeks.

Home waxing can be tricky in this area, especially if you’re a waxing newbie, in which case you should leave it to a professional.

If you’re determined to do it yourself, most waxing kits involve similar steps:

Shower or bathe in warm water for at least five minutes.
Make sure that the hair is at least 1/4-inch long. If the hair is longer, trim it carefully with sharp scissors or a bikini trimmer.
Apply natural wax over the area.
Apply the provided waxing cloth or muslin strip over the wax.
Wait a few seconds for the wax to harden.
Hold the skin taut with one hand and swiftly pull off the wax strip to remove the hair.

Depilatory creams

Hair removal creams, such as Nair, are not recommended for use in your nether regions because of the risk of burns or a severe allergic reaction.

Permanent removal options

If you’re looking for a more permanent solution for your butt hair, you have a couple of options.

Laser hair removal

Laser hair removal uses pulses of powerful laser beams to vaporize the hair follicle. While this doesn’t provide permanent hair removal, the treatment will reduce hair growth.

The duration of a treatment session depends on the size of the area being treated. You may need a few sessions to get the desired result, which can get costly.

Though laser removal is referred to as permanent, results usually last for several months to years, often requiring maintenance treatments.

We’re not gonna lie — it’s probably going to be uncomfortable, at best. The pulses are often described as feeling like pinpricks or compared to the sensation of having a rubber band snapped against your skin.

If your pain threshold is low, taking an over-the-counter (OTC) pain reliever, such as acetaminophen, may help.

You can expect some discomfort, swelling, and redness for a couple of days after treatment, especially when dealing with sensitive areas. More severe side effects are possible, including blistering, scarring, and infections.

You can minimize your risks by having laser therapy performed by a board-certified dermatologist or under the supervision of one.

Electrolysis

Electrolysis involves the use of a small electric current that’s transmitted through a small needle into the hair follicle to make the hairs fall out and to stop them from growing back.

Like laser treatments, electrolysis requires follow-up treatments, which can get expensive. Sessions can range from five minutes to an hour, depending on the amount of hair being removed.

Electrolysis does cause some discomfort. Removing hair from this delicate part of the body might cause a little more discomfort than removing it from other areas, like your legs or chin. Taking an OTC pain reliever beforehand can help.

Some redness and tenderness are common for a few hours following treatment.

Risks of removal

If you’re going to go bare back there, it’s important to be aware of the risks, which include:

razor burn
a rash
itching
infection
cuts
ingrown hairs
folliculitis

To keep the risks to a minimum, always wash the area with mild soap and warm water before removing hair. Applying aloe vera after hair removal can also help prevent bumps and irritation.

Always use products as directed and follow your dermatologist’s or technician’s aftercare instructions if you go with professional treatment.

Grooming tips

We can’t stress enough that butt fuzz is totally normal. From a health standpoint, there’s really no reason to get rid of it, so it’s all about personal preference — your butt, your choice.

If you’re on the fence about whether to go bare, you can always opt to just do some light grooming.

Bikini trimmers are handy if you’d like to trim the hair short and avoid the risk of nicks and irritation. And if you’re prepping for a special occasion, a good wash with mild soap can take care of any odor or pesky dingles of toilet paper.

The bottom line

We promise that butt hair is perfectly normal. Removing it is your prerogative. If you decide to do it, you have a few options to choose from, but each comes with its own risks.

Don’t be afraid to speak to your healthcare provider or a dermatologist if you have questions or concerns about butt hair or removing it — you’re not the first to bring it up, and you won’t be the last.

How we reviewed this article:

SourcesHistoryHealthline has strict sourcing guidelines and relies on peer-reviewed studies, academic research institutions, and medical journals and associations. We only use quality, credible sources to ensure content accuracy and integrity. You can learn more about how we ensure our content is accurate and current by reading our editorial policy.

Laser hair removal. (n.d.).https://www.aad.org/public/diseases/cosmetic-treatments/laser-hair-removal
Removing hair safely. (2010).https://www.fda.gov/consumers/consumer-updates/removing-hair-safely
Removing pubic hair. (2019).https://youngwomenshealth.org/2013/08/22/removing-pubic-hair/
Yesudian P. (2011). Human hair - an evolutionary relic? DOI:https://doi.org/10.4103%2F0974-7753.90799

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Medically reviewed by Cynthia Cobb, DNP, APRN, WHNP-BC, FAANP — Written by Adrienne Santos-Longhurst on June 4, 2019

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