Is It Normal to Have Hair Between Your Butt Cheeks?

Whether you pay much attention to it or not, hair grows across your body — including on your buttocks and in the groove between them. This fine coverage, known as vellus hair, helps shield and protect the skin.

There’s no medical requirement to remove hair from sensitive zones like the intergluteal cleft (commonly called the butt crack), but a lot of hair there can make some people feel uneasy or uncomfortable. If you’re thinking about removing hair from between your butt cheeks, take extra precautions to avoid complications such as razor bumps, rashes, and ingrown hairs.

What leads to hair growth in the butt crack?

Almost everyone has some hair in the space between their buttocks. This hair helps wick moisture away and guards the delicate skin around the anus.

In some people the hair in this region appears coarse or darker, while in others it’s finer and less noticeable. Several influences determine the type of hair present in the butt crack.

Genetics

Your hair characteristics and growth patterns are strongly influenced by genetics, and body hair is no exception. Family history largely shapes the color, thickness, and amount of hair that develops on your buttocks and in the cleft.

Medications

Certain drugs can stimulate denser body hair growth. Examples include corticosteroids like prednisone and some blood pressure medications such as oral minoxidil.

Hormonal conditions

Your endocrine system regulates hormone production and release. When hormones are imbalanced, hair growth patterns can change, so disorders that affect the endocrine system may increase body hair. These include:

• polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS)
• hirsutism
• overactive adrenal glands

Hypertrichosis

Hypertrichosis is an uncommon disorder that can cause excessive hair growth anywhere on the body. Its hallmark is a dense patch of hair appearing where hair normally would not grow.

Should I remove the hair between my buttocks?

Deciding whether to remove hair in the intergluteal area is a personal choice. People remove it for various reasons:

• Some prefer an overall smooth, hairless sensation, including on their butt and the surrounding skin.
• If you perspire heavily around the lower back and notice sweat collecting in hair near the butt, hair removal might feel more hygienic.
• Others may feel less self-conscious during sexual activity after removing hair from the butt crack.

Those are reasonable personal motivations. However, there’s no medical or hygienic necessity to remove hair anywhere on the body, including this area.

Keep in mind that removing hair by shaving, bleaching, or waxing carries certain risks.

How to remove hair between the buttocks

Removing hair between your buttocks calls for extra caution and gentleness compared with other body areas.

Remember that the skin in the intergluteal cleft is especially sensitive, and some hair-removal techniques are not advisable for this region.

Shaving

Shaving this area safely is tricky but achievable. Visibility is limited when shaving back there, and many shaving creams contain fragrances that can irritate or dry sensitive skin.

Using a clean razor, a handheld mirror, and warm water can help you shave the area effectively, but go slowly and carefully. Trim the hair first with small, sanitized safety scissors and wash the area with warm water from a washcloth before you begin for better results.

Laser hair removal

Some people choose laser hair removal for the butt crack. This requires multiple professional treatments and can be expensive, but when done properly it typically produces long-term reduction of hair in the treated area.

Waxing

You can have a trained aesthetician wax the area between your butt cheeks, or attempt home waxing. Butt-cleft waxing is commonly included in many Brazilian bikini wax services. Be aware the skin here isn’t often exposed to heat and may burn more readily than other waxed areas — proceed with care.

Electrolysis

Electrolysis performed by a licensed professional is considered safe for the butt crack. Several sessions are usually required, the treatment can be costly, and it may cause discomfort. Results are permanent.

What to avoid

Epilators and depilatory creams are generally not advised for use in the intergluteal area. These approaches can be intensely painful and may cause bleeding, burns, and other unpleasant side effects. Consult a dermatologist if you’re thinking about an alternate hair-removal option for your butt crack.

Risks and side effects of removing hair between your buttocks

Eliminating hair from the butt crack isn’t without hazards. Watch for these potential issues:

Itching

As hair regrows between your butt cheeks, it can feel itchy and irritating. You may also experience razor bumps or a mild rash, sometimes from soap or shaving cream making contact with the area.

Irritation and burning

If you need to wipe shortly after removing hair from the perianal zone, the skin may feel sore. Hair removal can also produce a burning or warm sensation that may take several hours to calm down.

Razor burn and ingrown hairs

Razor burn and ingrown hairs are possible whenever you remove body hair. Skipping shaving cream increases the chance of razor burn.

Because of the shape of the buttocks, the skin is often pressed together, which can make ingrown hairs more likely in this location. Ingrown hairs may occasionally develop into cysts.

Infection

The butt crack borders the anus, so infection is a particular concern. If you nick yourself while shaving, bacteria may be introduced into the wound. Bacteria trapped in hair follicles can convert an ingrown hair into an infected follicle. Be especially vigilant about infection risk if you remove hair from this area.

Takeaway

Removing hair between your butt cheeks is a matter of personal preference. There’s no medical advantage to eliminating hair in this region, and there are potential side effects such as burning, itching, ingrown hairs, and infection. If you opt to remove hair from your butt crack, do so cautiously and safely.