AESTHETICS: BUTT'NE

Bootylicious

It’s something not a lot of people want to talk about, but butt acne is more common that you may think. Here’s how skin clinics can treat it.

Acne is one of the most prevalent skin issues practitioners see on their clients, and the industry is saturated with treatments and cosmeceuticals treating the inflammatory condition. From skincare to lasers and LED, there is usually a way to reduce pimples and outbreaks if you follow a professional’s treatment plan. But for some reason, we tend to ignore the fact that acne doesn’t just affect people’s faces but other body parts, such as the back and even more commonly, the butt.

BUTT’NE Founders Sarah Grace and Kiyomi Booth

Maybe it’s because we usually keep our bums hidden from public view, but with about 85 per cent of Australians experiencing some sort of acne on their bums at some stage in their lives, therapeutic skin coach and owner of QLD based Glow Skin Studio, Sarah Grace, has, alongside her friend and beauty veteran Kiyomi Booth, launched a skincare trio specifically formulated for butt acne, and has aptly called it ‘BUTT’NE’. We talked to the skin practitioner to learn more about it.

What causes butt acne and how many people are affected?

SG: The term ‘butt acne’ usually refers to folliculitis, which presents similarly to acne elsewhere but is a result of blocked and mild infection of hair follicles, leading to acne-like bumps on the buttocks. This can often look like a small whitehead with a hair in the centre of a red bump, surrounded by white material that is often dead skin and white blood cells. It usually won’t just be a single bump, you’ll likely have a smattering of same size, red inflamed bumps that can be caused by:

• Keeping your wet, sweaty clothes on after hitting the gym

• Living in your swimsuit

• Wearing tight-fitting clothes

• Sitting down often

• Sweating & chafing (heat, sweat and friction are a nasty combination!)

• Contact dermatitis caused by allergies to laundry products

• Pore clogging ingredients in your shampoos and body products

People who are prone to acne on other parts of their bodies can often get it on their butts, too. This is largely due to a hormonal imbalance and increased oil secretion. 85% of Australians will experience acne at some point in their life, and at least one-third of us also experience butt acne.

How could a practitioner raise this with their clients if they don’t mention it themselves (should they?)

Typically we notice buttne when clients are having hair removal procedures performed, and I find this to be a great time to educate them on how important it is to get the most out of their treatments. Most people choosing to have Brazilians or laser hair removal are those who want to feel confident about these areas, and I have found these recommendations to only amplify their trust in you keeping them looking their best.

85% of Australians will experience acne at some point in their life... and at least one-third of us also experience butt acne.

I like to suggest this regime to any clients working on hair removal, or who suffer from acne in general, as a great way to help achieve a smooth and polished look, as well as a way to improve the look and finish of a spray tan. Showing you care about your clients and their results is what is most important, as that is why most of us chose this career. Of course, always follow through with home-care advice too.

What is the difference between BUTT’NE products and acid-based products for the face?

The main difference between BUTT’NE’s trio of clearing, lightening and brightening products and traditional acid-based products for the face, is the non-pore clogging formula that is 100% tried and tested, using the highest potency as tolerated. This is a range of multiple highly powerful ingredients designed for a much tougher and more resilient area of the skin. Normally when treating the face, we would only see minimal blends of actives in a product so that we can tolerate it, and would rarely recommend three power-packed products following application of the last, due to the delicate tissue on the face.

Before and after 5 weeks use of BUTT’NE

I have been treating acne for 15 years and have seen the tolerance level of the body to be much higher than the face. These products are curated by sufferers of butt acne, as well as facial acne, who are proud to have formulated something strong enough to clear out inflamed follicles quickly, and remove all signs of buttne, without any side effects.

Could you use the products on other body parts as well?

We have formulated BUTT’NE specifically for the skin on the buttocks, inner thighs and external bikini folliculitis - though lots of our clients love to use it on back and chest acne too.

Are there professional treatments that might help treat butt acne?

Absolutely - we are currently formulating a clinical protocol as to how best to use BUTT’NE in the treatment room! The launch trio is available online for $195, and can be purchased atbuttne.com.au