Believe it or not, bum spots are just as common of an occurrence in men as they are in women. But what causes these red spots exactly?
Bum spots, ‘assne’, ‘bum acne’ or whatever you want to call them are characterised by blemishes that appear on the buttocks.
If left untreated, these ‘bumps’ can cause discomfort and – perhaps worse – embarrassment.
What Causes Bum Spots?
Bum spots can be brought about by the same factors that cause the spots on our face – basically dead skin cells that trap in bacteria, starving them of oxygen and turns them into spots.
Other skin conditions such as folliculitis or inflamed hair follicles and keratosis pilaris, which is a buildup of keratin that causes tiny red bumps to appear, can also be the origin of your spots.
Friction is another culprit. When you sweat a lot while wearing tight-fitting clothing or don’t wash off the bacteria sitting on your skin after a workout session, you are more likely to cause irritation. They can start off as small spots but can develop into larger clusters, so try not let that happen!
Now with enough care and help from the products mentioned here, you should see improvements. But if you’re worried or things don’t clear up easily, it’s best to see a doctor right away.
How do you avoid a spotty bum? Follow these steps to prevent another breakout:
Avoid squeezing!
No matter how tempting it may be, do not squeeze these spots! This will only worsen the condition and lead to further irritation, according to dermatologists.
Shower regularly
Taking regular showers is one way to prevent bacteria build-up. Take your time in the shower and wash off sweat and dirt with a cleanser for better results. The Cerave Renewing SA Cleanser is a go-to product of ours. It’s a gentle foaming cleanser that contains salicylic acid which aids in unclogging pores and removing excess oil. It’s not harsh on the skin and does its job quite well!
Exfoliate
Eliminating dead skin cells is also vital to keeping your bum spot-free. Use a loofah when washing your body and work in a scrub into your routine. The Charcoal Smoothie Rub by Sunday Riley will help smoothen your behind with ingredients such as clarifying salicylic acid, niacinamide, natural exfoliating powders, and detox-loving charcoal.
Give it the same attention as the rest of your skin
Your bum deserves the same love your face and other parts of your body are getting. When doing your skincare routine, don’t forget about the buttocks. The Solution Salicylic Acid Clear Skin Body Gel can help clear out spots and other impurities with skin-clearing salicylic acid, restoring niacinamide, and soothing tea tree while the AMELIORATE Transforming Body Lotion will keep it moisturised.
Just steer clear of overly-rich products like mineral oils, lanolin, coconut oil and cocoa butter as they can clog pores and you’re good to go!
Opt for loose fitting clothing
Allowing your bottom to breathe will do wonders for it in the long run! When you’re sitting on your behind all day, it’s basically suffocating, so getting up every now and then will lessen the chances of a breakout.
Wearing loose fitting clothes will also keep the bacteria at bay because you’re not rubbing it into your skin, so keep that in mind! Opt for more breathable bottoms that are of cotton material and ditch the skinny jeans in the meantime and you’ll notice the difference!