TikTok user @biotch_dad recently went viral for expressing her frustrations when it comes to shaving her butthole:
People totally related to the video — and most of them were looking for tips:
Some commenters shared their own butthole-shaving techniques, like those who believe in the "squat and pray":
If you don't know what that is, TikTok user @kateeeeeeee39 gave a lovely demonstration:
However, there were other people who preferred the "spread and pray":
Here's user @jaeddapatterson's demonstration of that:
On the other hand, people like user @brittanyrutherfor8 had a more detailed process for getting the best butthole shave:
Besides figuring out the best ~positions~ to use when shaving, people also wanted to know other things, like how razor burn was avoided. Some suggested hair removal cream:
There were so many other questions and people looking for advice in the comments that we decided to talk to an expert. BuzzFeed spoke to dermatologist Dr. Charles, who said butt shaving is a common question and clients ask him for advice when it comes shaving ~down there~ all time.
Before we get into the details, it's important to remember that shaving is an entirely aesthetic choice! AKA, don't do it if you don't want to. "A shaved butt is no cleaner than a natural butt. It's also important to note that shaving can introduce micro-tears into the skin. These small cracks in the skin can act as foci for infections. Meaning, shaving can put one at risk for an infected butt. Some patients may also find that shaving their butt makes them more prone to sweating in that area," explained Dr. Charles.
OK, if you're still set on shaving your booty hole, here are the best tips for both men and women!
When it comes to shaving, Dr. Charles does not recommend shaving in any place that you cannot see. "Blind shaving is dangerous. The blood supply to the butt and anus is incredibly rich, which means that any injury to that part of the body can lead to a scary amount of blood loss," he explained. So, you should always get a mirror so you can see.
The safest tool you can use to shave your butthole is a trimmer because it leaves minimal skin irritation and has a low risk of infection, according Dr. Charles. Many people use razors or blades, but it is not his recommendation.
Before and after you shave, you should always wash the anus or butt. "Our skin is covered in bacteria. This bacteria load is normal and actually can be beneficial to maintaining skin health. However, we know that removing bacteria before skin surgery is helpful. Thus, if skin injury is possible — and it is possible when shaving — then using an antibacterial soap is useful. Common soaps are benzoyl peroxide or chlorhexidine solutions," Dr. Charles explained.
He also recommends cleaning the area with the same antibacterial soap for a few days after to minimize the chances of folliculitis, or acne bumps.
In addition, Dr. Charles said that often times people are over-aggressive when shaving sensitive areas, like the anus. "Over-aggressive shaving, either too often or incorrectly done, can lead to irritation and acne-like bumps in that area," he said. So, be gentle!!!
Remember, shaving is a risk for infection, bleeding, scarring. Dr. Charles said, "Folliculitis is a small collection of infections and are one of the risks of shaving your butt. Another risk is hemorrhage. The skin of the anus and butt is extremely vascular. A sharp object can do a tremendous amount of damage to that area. Similarly, if bleeding is a risk, so is scarring. Any time that the skin is injured and the wound is deep enough, you run the risk of causing a scar to form. And all of these risks are increased if you can’t see what you are doing, so use a mirror!"
Lastly, let's talk about some alternatives to shaving or trimming your butthole. Dr. Charles said waxing your anus is relatively safe. "Avoid actives (retinoids, acids, etc.) to an area that is about to waxed. While this is generally not a concern for the butt, you want to be as gentle as possible with skin that has been traumatized with waxing. This involves avoiding hot showers and avoiding products with fragrances. Also, you should never wax if you have taken isotretinoin (Accutane) in the last six months," he explained.
Hair removal creams may also be safe for some people, but you should always do a test spot first. "It is recommended to use a small amount on a test spot and wait a few days to make sure you don't have any irritation before using it on a larger area," he said.
To end this, don't ever be embarrassed about your butt or butt hair! Dr. Charles said the most common "butt" questions he gets are centered around unwanted color, hair, and odor. "A darker hue to the genitals is completely normal. Hair is normal. I want to emphasize that body hair — including butt and anus hair — is likely completely normal. Odor is also normal to a certain extent. We all have specialized sweat glands in our armpits and genitals that contribute to odor."
If you want to see more shaving tips and advice — or learn more about skincare in general — you can follow Dr. Charles on TikTok and Instagram.
Please note: This article discusses skincare advice in general and should not be taken out of context. You should always discuss your skincare concerns and questions with your personal dermatologist.