Thinking About Bleaching Your Anus? Here's What You Should Know
Have you ever wondered why your favorite porn stars have perfectly pink butt holes? Odds are they weren't blessed with impeccable genes. Considering the wear and tear that some of these guys endure, it's extremely likely that their pretty holes are the result of anal bleaching.
According to Men's Health, anal bleaching is steadily growing in popularity, even among straight men. For those unfamiliar, anal bleaching is a cosmetic practice that lightens the skin to make it match the other parts of your booty. "The anus inevitable darkens as we age due to friction and hormonal changes, and anal bleaching can be performed to refresh the area and restore sexual confidence," said Jessie Cheung, a board-certified dermatologist. "The goal of anal bleaching is to safely lighten the skin with lasers or topical chemicals that exfoliate and break down unwanted pigment, without causing too much irritation or sexual downtime."
Thankfully, Men's Health took a lot of the guesswork out of things. Here's what their experts say:
Why is Anal Bleaching Popular?
Aesthetics
"Anal bleaching is mostly for aesthetic purposes," said Evan Goldstein, D.O., a proctologist who specializes in men's sexual health. "The genital region has the highest density of melanocytes — cells that make pigment — than anywhere in the body. The denser the pigment, the darker the skin." It goes without saying, then, that those interested in anal sex want their anus to look as bright and as uniform as possible.
Confidence
"Confidence in the bedroom can be rooted in a lot of different things — cleanliness, muscle strength (i.e., tightness), hair, and even skin tone," Goldstein says. And that's exactly why people are willing to pay a decent amount of money to get that confidence boost.
How Does anal Bleaching Work?
The most common way to lighten the skin around your hole is to use a chemical peel. And no, we don't mean going online to buy a DIY facial peel and put it on your butt. That is a very, very bad idea.
"Chemicals typically found in anal bleaching formulations include hydroquinone, kojic acid, glycolic acid, arbutin, azelaic acid, malic acid, licorice extract, niacinamide, and mulberry extract," Cheung says. "You may have to go in a couple of times to get the desired color."
Lasers
"Typically, lasers are more efficient than chemical peel as they specifically target pigment," Cheung says. "Topical numbing creams are applied before laser treatments to avoid discomfort."
Are There Any Side Effects?
Believe it or not, anal bleaching is pretty safe when done by a professional. "Most patients find our medical grade peel to be quite comfortable and haven't experienced any patients reporting a burning sensation with this peel," Goldstein says. "Occasionally, some patients may report very mild itching or dryness one to three days post peel, but it can be easily relieved by applying moisturizer to the area."
How Much Does it Cost?
It all depends on where you go and what the treatment is like, but be prepared to shell upwards of $500 for the treatment. Goldstein, for example, charges $650 for two sessions.
The Bottom Line
If you're super self-conscious about the color of your bussy, there are treatments out there that are perfectly safe. While there are a number of creams out there with decent reviews that are safe to use at home, don't expect drastic changes without in-office procedures. And please, for the love of God, do not try to whip up your own exfoliating concoction at home.