Anal bleaching: Is this cosmetic treatment actually safe?

Not too fond of the way your butt hole looks? Are you considering lightening the skin around it to match your skin tone for a more uniform look? You might want to fully inform yourself before proceeding.

Why do people do it?

First and foremost, the procedure doesn't actually involve any bleach at all. Instead, 'bleaching' your anus refers to lighting the skin around it by using either laser treatment techniques, chemical peels or creams. All these methods work by getting rid of excess melanin in the area and slowing down pigment creation.

However, you should probably know that none of these techniques are permanent and you will have to keep at it every six months or so. This is because daily activities such as walking, working out and anything that makes you sweat creates friction which in turn increases skin pigmentation.

For this reason, a very large proportion of people have an anus that appears to be much darker in colour than the rest of the skin on their body. If this inconsistency in colour bothers you then skin bleaching may be the solution for you.

The risks associated with skin bleaching

Though it is probably a safer bet to get this done by an expert, you can actually do it yourself at home—though we don't recommend you take this route. Getting this done professionally will ensure that the products used on your body are of higher quality and, as a result, much safer.

Skin bleaching in and of itself is not particularly risky or unsafe. However, if not done properly this is what you can expect to happen to your body:

• Genital and rectal damage: if applied incorrectly, the product can get inside your rectum or genitals and cause life-long complications.
• Skin damage, scarring, permanent discoloration: this can happen as a result of improper use of laser technique.
• Anal strictures: if anal bleaching products somehow get inside your rectum and are left there for a prolonged amount of time, scar tissue and anal strictures can develop around the area leading to pain and constipation.