The topic of booty beauty has officially gone mainstream. People are openly talking about treatments for derrières online with the kind of candidness which might make the more conservative among us want to blush.
It seems this ‘booty beauty’ movement is focused on self-love and loving the skin you are in more than anything else. Thanks to the mass communication fanned by social media platforms, the stigma around bottom talk is dissipating.
Booty beauty is a wide and varied field of beauty which considers all facets of rear health and care. These include skin texture, tone and hygiene. At the heart of this trend is the desire to feel one’s best. Self care is what it’s all about. This desire to live one’s best life was set into flame during the Covid-19 pandemic. People want to be healthy and well head to toe, and for this, the bottom needs to be considered.
Still, however trending the theme has become, the idea of caring for the derrière isn’t exactly new.
Ancient Greeks were known to indulge in full-body oil massages. These massages included their glute muscles. For these treatments, they used olive oil mixed with herbs to soothe and tone the skin.
In traditional Japanese onsens, natural minerals in hot springs were believed to improve skin elasticity, including the bottom. In Victorian England, women used rosewater and powders to keep all areas of the body, even those hidden under layers of corsetry, soft and fragrant.
The emphasis today is on body positivity and personal care. The experts will tell you that the skin on the buttocks is thicker than on the face. However, it is still vulnerable to dryness, breakouts, and irritation. “The gluteal region has fewer oil glands than the face,” says Dr Whitney Bowe, a New York-based dermatologist. “This makes it more prone to dryness, especially in colder climates or with synthetic underwear.”
Dry skin can lead to a rough texture, ingrown hairs, and even small pimples known as folliculitis.
For this reason, the bottom needs some TLC. Healthy skin and hygiene back there can improve confidence and comfort in everyday life.
Smooth, Silky Bottoms
Acne on the face can cause great concern. The same is true with bottom acne, called ‘buttne’. While no-one really talks about this, it is actually more common than you would think.
Often caused by tight clothing, sweat, or sitting for long periods, these red bumps can be stubborn. “It’s not technically acne,” explains Dr Sandra Lee, who is also known as Dr Pimple Popper. “It’s usually folliculitis or clogged follicles,” she continues.
Dr Lee recommends using a benzoyl peroxide body wash two to three times a week and wearing breathable cotton underwear.
Laser treatments like Clear + Brilliant and LED light therapy have also shown success in treating butt blemishes non-invasively. These treatments reduce inflammation and target bacteria, without downtime.
Dealing With The Good, The Bad And The Ugly
When it comes to bottom ‘anomalies’, if you could call them this, you get the good, the bad and the ugly. Booty beauty isn’t just skin-deep and keeping the bottom healthy can mean treating unsightly, ungainly conditions, such as haemorrhoids and anal skin tags.
Haemorrhoids are swollen veins around the rectum. These can be painful, in addition to being unsightly. While you might feel you are dealing with a unique pain when you develop haemorrhoids, they are actually extremely common. Studies by the American Society of Colon and Rectal Surgeons. show that they affect nearly 75% of adults at some point. Most haemorrhoids can be treated with over-the-counter creams, sitz baths, and dietary changes which prevent constipation.
Anal skin tags are harmless flaps of skin near the anus. These are often a result of past inflammation, such as a healed haemorrhoid or fissure. They aren’t dangerous but can cause hygiene or confidence issues. “We can remove skin tags non-surgically using radiofrequency ablation or cryotherapy,” explains Dr Rebecca Fitzgerald, a Los Angeles cosmetic dermatologist. “These are quick procedures with minimal discomfort and no need for stitches.”
Non-Invasive Treatments To Try
But of course, the whole move towards booty beautiful is about destigmatising bottom talk and creating a healthy environment which celebrates holistic health and beauty. It’s not just your bottom, it’s your prized derrière and for this reason, it should be treated like a VIP.
There has been a recent increase in non-invasive beauty treatments for the bottom. ‘Butt facials’ or ‘fanny facials’ are now common in luxury spas. These involve cleansing, exfoliation, extraction (if needed), and hydrating masks specifically tailored for the area.
Microneedling, which stimulates collagen production, is also being used to improve skin texture and reduce the appearance of stretch marks. Radiofrequency skin tightening is another popular option which firms the area without surgery.
Topical treatments, like retinoid creams, can be used sparingly to help smooth bumpy skin, and niacinamide serums have anti-inflammatory benefits which calm redness and irritation.
Celebrities haven’t been shy about their dedication to booty maintenance and perhaps it’s time the mainstream public learns to love their booties too. “You’ve got to take care of all of you,” celebrity Jennifer Lopez told InStyle. “Your skin is your largest organ, and it’s everywhere.”
Reality star and entrepreneur Kim Kardashian has also championed bottom treatments, including laser facials and cellulite-reducing procedures. “I do a little bit of everything,” she said, referring to her spa treatments for smoother skin and tone.
Even Chrissy Teigen gave fans a laugh when she posted an Instagram story about her derrière facial. “This is my butt. No shame,” she joked. “We are all human, and we all have one.”
Whatever shape or size you are, you can feel good in your skin and cherish your booty. Regular cleansing, exfoliation, moisturising, and occasional spa-grade treatments can go a long way in maintaining a healthy, smooth, and glowing bum. This is all about treating magnificent you with sensitivity and care, not shame.
So why not join the bold and beautiful in embracing beauty from the bottom up?
