Why do I have spots on my bum?
First of all, to help you understand a little bit about bum acne and bum spots, it’s helpful to recognise why and when they occur. Bum spots are not technically considered acne or “regular” spots, so most regular acne or spot treatments won’t do much to help alleviate the problem.
A spotty bum is usually caused by folliculitis, a skin problem that occurs when the hair follicles become blocked and infected. Folliculitis can cause a rash to develop over the affected area, which unfortunately gives you that spotty bum look that has you reaching for the sarong instead of the bikini.
Things can cause folliculitis on the bum include:
· Waxing and shaving without proper preparation or aftercare
· Sitting down for too long
· Wearing tight underwear or clothes
· Wearing underwear which irritates the skin
· Not showering after exercise
· Not changing gym clothes after each use
· Using old razors
Why do I have spots on my bum but not on my face?
If you’ve got perfectly clear skin everywhere else but only spots on your bum, you might be slightly confused! The answer is simple: acne on the face and acne on the bum are in no way related – not even distant third cousins! Acne on the face can be caused by a multitude of reasons: a dirty pillow, hormonal changes, make-up, or birth control. Acne on the bum is usually caused by external factors such as the ones listed above: in particular improper hair removal, not showering after exercise, and sitting down for too long. Basically, any activity in which the skin on the bum is exposed to bacteria can cause a spotty bum. The good news is that this is much easier to deal with than facial acne, as there are rarely any internal or hormonal issues at play.
Can I get rid of spots on my bum overnight?
Luckily, there may be ways to minimise outbreaks and get rid of existing spots on your bum, but unfortunately, there are no overnight miracle solutions. The real key to fixing a spotty bum is in prevention, however, there are some options that might provide some quick relief and help diminish the appearance of your bum spots whilst you wait for the breakout to clear.
Disclaimer: The products below may work for you however, we are not qualified healthcare practitioners. Please make sure you check with a healthcare professional with regards to using the products below. You may or may not be allergic to these products so please use with caution and seek the help of a dermatologist!
Use an antibacterial shower gel or body wash containing Benzoyl Peroxide
Whilst it’s not exactly the best-smelling latest Lush must-have, using an antibacterial body wash can help kill off lingering bacteria and keep the spots from worsening over time. An ingredient to look out for when choosing a body wash is benzoyl peroxide, which is great at unclogging pores and getting rid of bacteria. Even once your outbreak has cleared up, it can be helpful to keep an antibacterial body wash on hand to use on your bum after strenuous exercise or exercise outdoors. You can also use an antibacterial body wash before and after shaving or waxing to clear out any leftover bacteria transferred from your razors.
Use a treatment containing salicylic acid
Salicylic acid is one of the only skincare products that can be used to help treat bum spots, due to its anti-inflammatory and antibacterial properties. Treatments that contain salicylic acid can help reduce any scarring and hyperpigmentation from leftover pimples, as well as help speed up the recovery process by clearing out bacteria.
DON’T exfoliate the area if it is inflamed – Whilst bum spots are not the same as facial acne, some similar rules still apply. One rule, in particular, is to avoid exfoliation when the skin is inflamed. Exfoliating an area that is already irritated will simply irritate it further, and this applies to the skin on your bum too. Exfoliating should be used simply as a preventative measure once your bum breakout has cleared up, but not as a treatment in itself. Harsh exfoliation will aggravate, not fix, the problem.
Why do my bum spots itch?
It’s normal for bum spots caused by folliculitis to become itchy and inflamed. You can try applying a warm compress to the area to relieve the itching, or apply Sudocrème, which can ease any irritation as well as help the healing process along with its antibacterial properties.
How do I prevent spots on my bum?
Once you’ve cleared up your breakout, now comes the most important part – the prevention! To avoid recurring breakouts, follow these steps and try to make habits of them:
Always exfoliate before and after waxing and shaving
When you get waxed or shaved, the skin on the bum and intimate area is exposed, meaning that any lingering bacteria can easily find a home in an open pore, leading to dreaded bum spots! Waxing and shaving can be hard on the skin as it is, so make sure to exfoliate thoroughly before and after hair removal on the bum area. If the skin in your intimate area is super prone to breakouts in general after hair removal, try safely disinfecting your razors before use, and replace temporary razors every 5-7 shaves.
Always shower immediately after exercise
Whether you’re getting your sweat on with a gym session or simply enjoying some hot, sunny weather, when your body sweats it can overproduce sebum, which can lead to spots anywhere on the body but in particular on your bum! Your bum is prone to spots as it is usually (almost!) always covered by some type of material, which can block sebum in your skin and cause outbreaks. Showering after exercise is a great way to avoid sebum build-up, so shower right away following a sweaty workout, after popping your gym clothes in the washing machine. If you’re suffering from bum spots, consider your exercise routine and how long it takes you to shower once you’ve finished your sweat session. If you finish your workout at the gym but prefer to shower at home, that adds a potential hour before you can cleanse the lingering bacteria off your body – plenty enough time for bacteria to multiply and take up camp in your open pores. Showering immediately after your workout is the most optimum way to avoid exercise-induced bum acne.
Change up your gym clothes every workout
If outfit-repeating is considered unacceptable for nights out, it should be considered even more unacceptable for your exercise clothes! One of the worst things you can do for the skin on your bum – and your skin in general – is to reuse exercise clothes without washing them first. When you exercise, your body sweats, and the sweat is then mixed with the various bacteria that you pick up in the gym or elsewhere.
Leaving your gym clothes in the bag overnight allows this bacteria to multiply, so if you then reach for the same vest and leggings the next day, all that bacteria transfers onto your skin, potentially causing breakouts and unsightly bum rash! This problem is even worse if you exercise outdoors, as you will come into contact not just with various bacteria but with mud, rain, and other delights from the natural environment. If you don’t have the time to wash your gym clothes after every session, the best way to combat this problem is to have a set of gym clothes for each day of the week, or for each day that you work out. Why not solve this problem with a House of Peach gym set in all your favourite colours?
Wear comfortable, cotton underwear
That’s right, it’s time to get the granny pants out! Whilst it might not be your favourite style, wearing comfortable, cotton underwear which doesn’t press too hard on the skin is a good idea if you want to speed up the bum spot-removal process. Tight underwear – especially underwear made of irritating fabrics such as lace or mesh – can chafe and inflame the skin, blocking bacteria in your pores. This doesn’t just prevent the removal of your current spots but can potentially provoke further outbreaks, so pop the granny pants on until the breakout has cleared up. Once your bum spots have cleared up, you can switch back to your favourite undies!
Don’t sit down for long periods at a time
Interestingly, bum spots increased during the COVID-19 pandemic, as more people were sitting at home for long periods of time whilst working, commuting less, and taking less breaks. “If you’re sat down all day, it is very likely that this will be a supplementary risk factor for [bum spots],” dermatologist Dr Tiina Meder explains, “constant contact with surfaces through clothes, the warmth sitting creates and the inevitable trouble of blood and lymphatic circulation are aggravating factors for existing [bum spots] and present a risk factor for new breakouts.” If you’re sitting at a computer for much of the day, set reminders on your phone to get up and walk around for a moment every 2-3 hours. This lets your bum breathe a little and can help avoid future outbreaks.
So what is the final verdict on getting rid of bum spots?
Bum spots suck, there’s no two ways about it. But by following these guidelines, you may be able to avoid the dreaded outbreaks and keep your peach perfectly pimple-free!
Why do I have spots on my bum?
First of all, to help you understand a little bit about bum acne and bum spots, it’s helpful to recognise why and when they occur. Bum spots are not technically considered acne or “regular” spots, so most regular acne or spot treatments won’t do much to help alleviate the problem.
A spotty bum is usually caused by folliculitis, a skin problem that occurs when the hair follicles become blocked and infected. Folliculitis can cause a rash to develop over the affected area, which unfortunately gives you that spotty bum look that has you reaching for the sarong instead of the bikini.
Things can cause folliculitis on the bum include:
· Waxing and shaving without proper preparation or aftercare
· Sitting down for too long
· Wearing tight underwear or clothes
· Wearing underwear which irritates the skin
· Not showering after exercise
· Not changing gym clothes after each use
· Using old razors
Why do I have spots on my bum but not on my face?
If you’ve got perfectly clear skin everywhere else but only spots on your bum, you might be slightly confused! The answer is simple: acne on the face and acne on the bum are in no way related – not even distant third cousins! Acne on the face can be caused by a multitude of reasons: a dirty pillow, hormonal changes, make-up, or birth control. Acne on the bum is usually caused by external factors such as the ones listed above: in particular improper hair removal, not showering after exercise, and sitting down for too long. Basically, any activity in which the skin on the bum is exposed to bacteria can cause a spotty bum. The good news is that this is much easier to deal with than facial acne, as there are rarely any internal or hormonal issues at play.
Can I get rid of spots on my bum overnight?
Luckily, there may be ways to minimise outbreaks and get rid of existing spots on your bum, but unfortunately, there are no overnight miracle solutions. The real key to fixing a spotty bum is in prevention, however, there are some options that might provide some quick relief and help diminish the appearance of your bum spots whilst you wait for the breakout to clear.
Disclaimer: The products below may work for you however, we are not qualified healthcare practitioners. Please make sure you check with a healthcare professional with regards to using the products below. You may or may not be allergic to these products so please use with caution and seek the help of a dermatologist!
Use an antibacterial shower gel or body wash containing Benzoyl Peroxide
Whilst it’s not exactly the best-smelling latest Lush must-have, using an antibacterial body wash can help kill off lingering bacteria and keep the spots from worsening over time. An ingredient to look out for when choosing a body wash is benzoyl peroxide, which is great at unclogging pores and getting rid of bacteria. Even once your outbreak has cleared up, it can be helpful to keep an antibacterial body wash on hand to use on your bum after strenuous exercise or exercise outdoors. You can also use an antibacterial body wash before and after shaving or waxing to clear out any leftover bacteria transferred from your razors.
Use a treatment containing salicylic acid
Salicylic acid is one of the only skincare products that can be used to help treat bum spots, due to its anti-inflammatory and antibacterial properties. Treatments that contain salicylic acid can help reduce any scarring and hyperpigmentation from leftover pimples, as well as help speed up the recovery process by clearing out bacteria.
DON’T exfoliate the area if it is inflamed – Whilst bum spots are not the same as facial acne, some similar rules still apply. One rule, in particular, is to avoid exfoliation when the skin is inflamed. Exfoliating an area that is already irritated will simply irritate it further, and this applies to the skin on your bum too. Exfoliating should be used simply as a preventative measure once your bum breakout has cleared up, but not as a treatment in itself. Harsh exfoliation will aggravate, not fix, the problem.
Why do my bum spots itch?
It’s normal for bum spots caused by folliculitis to become itchy and inflamed. You can try applying a warm compress to the area to relieve the itching, or apply Sudocrème, which can ease any irritation as well as help the healing process along with its antibacterial properties.
How do I prevent spots on my bum?
Once you’ve cleared up your breakout, now comes the most important part – the prevention! To avoid recurring breakouts, follow these steps and try to make habits of them:
Always exfoliate before and after waxing and shaving
When you get waxed or shaved, the skin on the bum and intimate area is exposed, meaning that any lingering bacteria can easily find a home in an open pore, leading to dreaded bum spots! Waxing and shaving can be hard on the skin as it is, so make sure to exfoliate thoroughly before and after hair removal on the bum area. If the skin in your intimate area is super prone to breakouts in general after hair removal, try safely disinfecting your razors before use, and replace temporary razors every 5-7 shaves.
Always shower immediately after exercise
Whether you’re getting your sweat on with a gym session or simply enjoying some hot, sunny weather, when your body sweats it can overproduce sebum, which can lead to spots anywhere on the body but in particular on your bum! Your bum is prone to spots as it is usually (almost!) always covered by some type of material, which can block sebum in your skin and cause outbreaks. Showering after exercise is a great way to avoid sebum build-up, so shower right away following a sweaty workout, after popping your gym clothes in the washing machine. If you’re suffering from bum spots, consider your exercise routine and how long it takes you to shower once you’ve finished your sweat session. If you finish your workout at the gym but prefer to shower at home, that adds a potential hour before you can cleanse the lingering bacteria off your body – plenty enough time for bacteria to multiply and take up camp in your open pores. Showering immediately after your workout is the most optimum way to avoid exercise-induced bum acne.
Change up your gym clothes every workout
If outfit-repeating is considered unacceptable for nights out, it should be considered even more unacceptable for your exercise clothes! One of the worst things you can do for the skin on your bum – and your skin in general – is to reuse exercise clothes without washing them first. When you exercise, your body sweats, and the sweat is then mixed with the various bacteria that you pick up in the gym or elsewhere.
Leaving your gym clothes in the bag overnight allows this bacteria to multiply, so if you then reach for the same vest and leggings the next day, all that bacteria transfers onto your skin, potentially causing breakouts and unsightly bum rash! This problem is even worse if you exercise outdoors, as you will come into contact not just with various bacteria but with mud, rain, and other delights from the natural environment. If you don’t have the time to wash your gym clothes after every session, the best way to combat this problem is to have a set of gym clothes for each day of the week, or for each day that you work out. Why not solve this problem with a House of Peach gym set in all your favourite colours?
Wear comfortable, cotton underwear
That’s right, it’s time to get the granny pants out! Whilst it might not be your favourite style, wearing comfortable, cotton underwear which doesn’t press too hard on the skin is a good idea if you want to speed up the bum spot-removal process. Tight underwear – especially underwear made of irritating fabrics such as lace or mesh – can chafe and inflame the skin, blocking bacteria in your pores. This doesn’t just prevent the removal of your current spots but can potentially provoke further outbreaks, so pop the granny pants on until the breakout has cleared up. Once your bum spots have cleared up, you can switch back to your favourite undies!
Don’t sit down for long periods at a time
Interestingly, bum spots increased during the COVID-19 pandemic, as more people were sitting at home for long periods of time whilst working, commuting less, and taking less breaks. “If you’re sat down all day, it is very likely that this will be a supplementary risk factor for [bum spots],” dermatologist Dr Tiina Meder explains, “constant contact with surfaces through clothes, the warmth sitting creates and the inevitable trouble of blood and lymphatic circulation are aggravating factors for existing [bum spots] and present a risk factor for new breakouts.” If you’re sitting at a computer for much of the day, set reminders on your phone to get up and walk around for a moment every 2-3 hours. This lets your bum breathe a little and can help avoid future outbreaks.
So what is the final verdict on getting rid of bum spots?
Bum spots suck, there’s no two ways about it. But by following these guidelines, you may be able to avoid the dreaded outbreaks and keep your peach perfectly pimple-free!