How to treat bum spots (and what causes spotty botty)

Nobody really talks about bum spots. It’s the sort of thing you keep firmly in your pants. But, acne isn’t something that’s just reserved for our faces. On the contrary, you can develop spots wherever you have skin, pores and follicles. And, whenever you introduce, friction, warmth and a lack of ventilation, you can expect the chances of breakouts to increase.

It’s why we saw “maskne” flourish in the height of the pandemic, as a direct result of face masks clamming up our chins, creating a humid, warm environment that’s perfect for acne-causing bacteria to flourish. It’s also why  “buttne” – which, for the uninitiated, is butt acne – is an unsurprisingly regular occurrence – especially for people who’s jobs require them to sit at their desks for long periods of time. 

“If you’re sat down all day, it is very likely that this will be a supplementary risk factor for buttne,” admits Dr Tiina Meder, dermatologist, cardiologist, and founder of Meder Beauty Science. “Constant contact with surfaces through clothes, the warmth sitting creates and the inevitable trouble of blood and lymphatic circulation are aggravating factors for existing buttne and present a risk factor for new breakouts.”

The answer? “Get moving,” recommends Dr Meder. “Stand up regularly and take a short walk when possible.”

Other lifestyle factors can contribute too, such as tight loungewear, leggings and gym gear, combined with not always showering straight after workouts. “Synthetic fabrics should be avoided when battling a buttne outbreak. I would also recommend avoiding jeans with a high stretch content – like jeggings,” says Dr Meder.

But while you may find it embarrassing, there’s actually a pretty easy way to treat bum spots.

To spare you the bother, we’ve tapped up Dr Meder and skincare expert, dermatologist Dr Gabriel Serrano, founder of Sesderma, for their top tips on how to cure a spotty botty and prevent it from happening again in future.

Why is my bottom spotty?

Spots on your buttocks are quite common, and usually caused by a skin condition known as folliculitis which occurs due to irritation, infection or blockage of the hair follicles. It can look like a bumpy rash and occur equally in men and women. The rash or bumps can actually happen anywhere where there are lots of hair follicles – not just your bum.

According to Dr Serrano, there are various factors that can cause spots on your bottom. “Sweating and remaining in your clothes means bacteria and sweat are in close connection with your skin, allowing it to penetrate your pores leading to irritation and ultimately spots,” he explains. “Tight clothing, such as non-breathable lycra or polyester can also contribute to trapping sweat and bacteria against the skin, which can lead to spots.”

Then there’s the issue of body hair. “If you are prone to body hair, or have thicker, more coarse hair then you may also find that you are more susceptible to pimples. The use of heavy lotions and creams can also contribute to blocked pores and inflammation resulting in spots on the bottom.” Noted.

Are bottom spots the same as other spots?

We all know that acne is caused by a variety of factors, including hormones and genetics, and is the result of excess sebum production becoming trapped in the pores. Bottom spots are a little different, as Dr Serrano explains; “Spots on your bottom are likely to be caused by folliculitis, a condition that occurs when bacteria and dead skin cells get into your hair follicles, causing inflammation. This usually looks like small red bumps clustered around the follicle.”

What do I do about it?

1. Don’t squeeze
First things first – don’t squeeze. “Squeezing the spots is not advisable as it can increase inflammation and make the condition much worse,” says Dr Serrano (see, doctor’s orders!).