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Keeping skin hydrated and blemish-free often involves a regular skin care routine. Along with cleansing and applying moisturizer, you might use a face mask to exfoliate and improve the appearance of pores. You can also use a mask on your hair to increase hydration.
Face and hair masks aren’t anything new. In fact, many cultures have used a variety of natural products like coconuts, olive oil, avocados, and spices on their skin and hair.
But while you’ve probably heard of a face mask or hair mask, maybe you haven’t used a butt mask to boost hydration and improve the appearance of your derrière.
Here’s what you need to know about butt masks, including how they work and possible side effects.
A butt mask is designed specifically for your backside. Using a mask on this part of the body might seem odd, yet “butt skin can be treated similar to face skin,” says Tsippora Shainhouse, MD, a board-certified dermatologist with SkinSafe Dermatology and Skin Care in Beverly Hills. “Masks can do various things, depending on the ingredients, including drying up active acne lesions, adding hydration to the skin, and facilitating mild exfoliation,” she says.
Although butt masks can smooth rough bumps, dry up inflamed spots and are effective skin care treatments, they’re not the ultimate treatment for butt acne, Shainhouse continues.
If you’re thinking about a butt mask, one option is a butt sheet mask. These are sold two in a package, and you’ll apply one sheet to each cheek.
These masks contain some of the same ingredients as a face mask, such as:
Benefits of a butt mask include:
Hydration
Dryness can affect different parts of the skin, including your butt skin. Applying a butt sheet mask after cleansing your skin locks in moisture. This creates a moisture barrier that also helps your backside feels softer.
Exfoliation
Pimples don’t only affect the face. Your buttocks have hair follicles, too, and these follicles are more susceptible to clogging because you’re constantly sitting on your rear. Butt masks help exfoliate dead skin cells and unclog pores. This can result in fewer breakouts on your butt.
Skin toning
Using a butt mask encourages collagen production. This helps increase skin elasticity and tightens loose skin. If you have dimples or cellulite on your backside, a butt mask — combined with exercise and weight loss — can reduce the appearance of cellulite.
Although butt masks receive a lot of positive reviews, there doesn’t appear to be scientific research on the effectiveness of this beauty treatment for skin toning.
Butt masks are relatively safe. So if your face can tolerate a face mask, you’ll probably have no issues using a butt mask. Of course, there’s always the risk of side effects.
Allergic reaction
You might have a skin reaction if you’re sensitive or allergic to an ingredient in the mask. Signs of a reaction can include a skin rash, itchiness, or redness.
Creams can be messy
Butt sheet masks are most popular, but there are also products available that forgo the sheet delivery method in favor of pastes or creams that you apply yourself. With both products, you risk making a mess if you sit on the bed or in a chair. To avoid this scenario, you’ll need to lie on your stomach after applying.
The process for using a butt mask varies depending on whether you have a sheet mask or a paste. Here’s what you can expect:
Sheet mask
Sheet masks are easy to apply on the buttocks. Each package contains two sheets, one for each cheek.
- Wash and dry your buttocks.
- Slowly remove one sheet from the packet, and then apply it to either the left or right cheek once the skin is dry.
- Repeat on the other side.
- Make sure the top of the sheet aligns with the top of your cheek.
- Typically, you’ll leave the sheet in place for about 10 to 15 minutes. They’re designed to remain attached to your cheeks. Remove the sheet after the allotted time and throw it away.
Cream or paste mask
If you purchase a butt mask cream or paste, apply it in the same manner as a face mask to clean, dry skin.
- Start with a thin layer on both cheeks.
- Allow the mask to sit for 15 to 20 minutes — until it fully dries
- Wipe off with a damp cloth.
You don’t have to see a dermatologist or aesthetician to purchase a butt mask. Various skin care businesses sell these masks, including salons, spas, and beauty retailers.
The price of a mask varies depending on the retailer. You might pay as little as $10 for a butt sheet mask, or as much as $20 to $50 for a cream.
Compare prices among different retailers, and check product details to ensure you’re not allergic or sensitive to an ingredient in the mask.
While a butt mask can hydrate and tighten skin on your tush, don’t expect it to provide dramatic results. Especially if you’re trying to reduce the appearance of cellulite or dimples.
In this case, you’ll likely need to combine the mask with a healthy diet and exercise to tone this part of your body. These workouts can include walking, weight training, Pilates, squats, and other lower body exercises.
You can also combine a butt mask with a topical moisturizer to enhance hydration. This includes applying oils and lotions to your back end daily, preferably after bathing to lock in moisture.
If you’re trying to solve a skin issue like butt acne, and a mask doesn’t work, you should see a board-certified dermatologist for evaluation and management, Shainhouse says.
Butt masks aren’t as widely popular as face masks or hair masks, yet these masks include similar ingredients to increase hydration, improve skin texture, and fight pimples. For best results, though, make sure you use the product as instructed.