Something else? Ask Aunt Vadge – bottom left of your screen!
Hi Aunt Vadge,
This website says all things vagina, but does it go to the butt area too? Near my butthole is like extra skin, and I don’t know what it is.
Also I have hair by my butthole, and I don’t know whether to shave it or leave it. I’m a dark-haired girl, so it looks obvious. And there’s some discolouration too, where I wipe. I’m mixed, and it looks like poop is still there, but I wipe well!
Please help.
Yours,
Perplexed
Hi Perplexed,
Your butt is very normal. Don’t panic.
1. Extra flaps of skin around your anus are common and normal
Everyone’s is slightly different, and there’s really nothing to do about it but accept it. As long as your anus does its job, you’re not in any danger of being abnormal or gross. We all fixate on one part of our body as if it’s the most important thing in the world, but nobody will ever notice or care about an extra bit of skin down there. (If it helps, I have one too.)
Why do I have a little extra skin there?
The skin that gathers around the anal sphincter is like the elastic around the neck of a t-shirt – it bunches up, and it bunches differently for everyone. It’s nothing you’ve done and nothing you can change.
Occasionally, if someone has haemorrhoids from chronic constipation, the skin can bulge and leave little bobbles or skin tags. If it’s ever painful, itchy, bleeding or growing, get it looked at – but plain old extra skin that’s been there quietly is just how you’re built.
2. The skin around the anus is almost always darker – and that’s normal
Just like labia are often a different colour to nearby skin, the skin around the anus is usually darker too. It’s the way we’re built, not a sign you haven’t wiped properly. Most people are more colourful down there than they’d expect, across every shade of skin, and babies are born this way.
What’s funny is that there was a whole trend of anal bleaching a while back – which mostly just proves how common this colouring is, and how quickly people gave up worrying about it. It’s brown or pink, it’s not poo, and it’s not worth a second thought. If anything, my advice is to stop inspecting it. It isn’t going to improve or get worse.
3. Hair around the anus is also very normal
You can shave, wax, laser or leave it – entirely up to you. Do a bit of experimenting and see what feels most comfortable. If removing it makes you feel better, go for it; if you can’t be bothered, leave it. There’s plenty of time to fuss over body hair for the rest of your life.
Have a look at our article on pubic hair for some removal options that might suit better than shaving, especially somewhere you can’t easily see what you’re doing.
You are normal, and your body is doing everything it should.
Warmest regards,
Aunt Vadge
This is general information and not a substitute for personalised medical advice. If any skin around the anus becomes painful, itchy, bleeds or changes, see a doctor or nurse who can check it in person.
