Whether you give much thought to it or not, hair grows all over your body. Body hair is completely normal, even on your buttocks and between your butt cheeks. This type of hair is called vellus hair, and it exists to protect your skin.

There’s no medical need to remove hair that grows in sensitive areas like your butt crack, also called the intergluteal cleft, but having a lot of hair there might make you feel self-conscious or uncomfortable. If you are considering hair removal between your butt cheeks, be extra careful to avoid side effects like razor bumps, rashes, and ingrown hairs.

Everyone has some hair in the area between their butt crack. This hair wicks away moisture and protects the sensitive skin around your anus.

Some people have hair that appears thick or dark in this area. Other people have hair that is fine and harder to see. Several factors determine the type of hair you have in your butt crack.

Genetics

Your hair type and pattern of growth have a lot to do with genetics, and that applies to body hair. Your family history largely determines the color, thickness, and amount of hair that grows on your buttocks and between your butt crack.

Medications

Some medications can encourage thicker body hair growth. These types of medications include corticosteroids, such as prednisone, and medications for hypertension, such as oral minoxidil.

Hormone conditions

Your endocrine system consists of the parts of your body that manage hormone production and release. Out-of-balance hormones can result in irregular hair growth patterns, which is why medical conditions that impact your endocrine system can cause increased hair growth on your body. These conditions include:

Hypertrichosis

Hypertrichosis is a rare condition that can cause excessive hair growth anywhere on your body. The main symptom of hypertrichosis is a thick patch of hair that grows where it otherwise would not.

Deciding to remove the hair in your butt crack is a matter of personal preference. Reasons for doing so vary:

  • Some people prefer a smooth, hairless feel all over their body, including their butt and the surrounding area.
  • If you sweat a lot from your lower back and feel like the sweat is absorbed by body hair around your butt, going hairless might feel more hygienic.
  • Some people may also feel less self-conscious during sexual activity if they remove hair from between their butt crack.

These are all valid reasons for getting rid of body hair in your butt crack. With that being said, there is no medical or hygienic advantage to getting rid of hair anywhere on your body, including your butt.

In fact, you should be aware that getting rid of this hair by shaving, bleaching, or waxing carries certain risks.

Getting rid of hair between your buttocks requires more care and sensitivity than body hair removal in other areas.

It’s important to be mindful of the fact that the skin between your butt crack is extra sensitive, and some methods of hair removal are not recommended for this area.

Shaving

Shaving the area between your butt cheeks is hard to do safely, but it is possible. For one thing, it’s hard to see what you’re doing when you shave back there. Shaving cream often has fragrance ingredients, which can trigger allergic reactions and dry out sensitive areas of your skin.

A clean razor, a handheld mirror, and warm running water can make it possible to get a clean shave in this area, but you’ll need to take your time and be extra careful. Trim the area with small, sanitized safety scissors and wash with warm water from a washcloth before you get started for the best results.

Laser hair removal

Some people opt for laser hair removal on their butt crack. This requires repeated treatments from a professional. This method may get expensive, but when performed correctly, it should lead to a permanent reduction in hair in the area treated.

Waxing

You can have a professional aesthetician wax the area between your butt cheeks, or you can wax it yourself at home. A butt crack area wax is typically included in most Brazilian bikini wax treatments. Keep in mind that the skin of your butt crack hasn’t been exposed to a lot of heat and will burn more easily than other parts of your body that you might wax. Proceed with caution.

Electrolysis

It’s safe to have electrolysis on your butt crack when performed by a certified aesthetician or cosmetologist. You will need several treatments, and it is pricey. It may also be painful. The results of electrolysis are permanent.

Epilators and depilatory creams are typically not recommended for use on your butt crack area. These methods of hair removal can be extremely painful and cause bleeding, burning, and other uncomfortable side effects. Speak with a dermatologist if you’re considering an alternative method of hair removal for your butt crack.

Getting rid of the hair on your butt crack is not free from risks and side effects. Things to look out for include:

Itching

As the hair between your butt cheeks grows back, it can feel itchy and uncomfortable. You may also notice razor bumps or a slight rash, sometimes as a result of soap or shaving cream getting into the area.

Irritation and burning

If you use the toilet and need to wipe soon after removing hair from the perianal area, you may notice that the area feels irritated. Getting rid of hair on your butt crack can also result in a sensation of burning or warmth that takes a few hours to subside.

Razor burn and ingrown hairs

Razor burn and ingrown hairs are always a possibility when you remove hair from your body. Removing hair from your butt crack without using shaving cream makes razor burn more likely.

Due to the way your butt is shaped, you may notice that you are more prone to ingrown hairs in this area, as the skin is pressed together most of the time. An ingrown hair can also turn cystic.

Infection

Your butt crack borders your anus, which makes infection a particular concern. For example, if you cut yourself while shaving down there, you may wipe dangerous bacteria into the area of your injury. If bacteria from sweat gather in your butt crack, it could turn an ingrown hair into an infected hair follicle. You’ll need to be especially mindful of the infection risk if you remove hair from your butt crack.

Getting rid of the hair between your butt cheeks is a personal choice. There’s no medical benefit to removing hair in this area of your body. There is also the potential for side effects like burning, itching, ingrown hairs, and even infection. If you do decide to get rid of the hair on your butt crack, make sure to do it carefully and safely.