We include products we think are useful for our readers. If you buy through links on this page, we may earn a small commission. Here’s our process.
Healthline only shows you brands and products that we stand behind.
Our team thoroughly researches and evaluates the recommendations we make on our site. To establish that the product manufacturers addressed safety and efficacy standards, we:
- Evaluate ingredients and composition: Do they have the potential to cause harm?
- Fact-check all health claims: Do they align with the current body of scientific evidence?
- Assess the brand: Does it operate with integrity and adhere to industry best practices?
We do the research so you can find trusted products for your health and wellness.
Read more about our vetting process.
Was this helpful?
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
