Hair Removal of Perianal Hair - Be Careful Down There

Hair removal of perianal hair is a serious matter for some people. Besides the extra mess while defecating, the accumulated smell can linger long afterwards. Because this area is very sensitive, getting rid of perianal hair must be done with extreme care. Any injury to the skin can lead to serious infections and a whole lot of pain.

The perianal region includes the skin around the anus and the area leading to the genitals. It's natural for some people to have hair growth here.

The first step is to wash thoroughly to clean, soften and relax the hair and to remove any bacteria that could lead to an infection if the skin is accidently broken. Cyclists have to be especially careful since the bike seat is lodged in this nether-region.

Effective Perianal Hair Removal Methods

Shaving

Shaving should only be done on the smooth skin of the perineum where access is relatively easy. Avoid putting the sharp blade anywhere close to the anus since it's awkward to reach back there, and the skin easily injured. Any cut or nick can lead to an infection, including e-coli. Since shaving only cuts the hair at the surface of the skin, the process would have to be repeated every few days.

Waxing

Believe it or not, some people wax their perineum! The entire root of the hair is removed and the smooth skin can last for 4-6 weeks. However, the open follicles are susceptible to infection from feces and sweat. Just because you haven't had a nasty infection in that area doesn't mean it won't eventually happen.

Hair Removal Creams

Hair removal creams work well but a gentle formulation for sensitive skin should be used. The harsh chemicals used in these types of creams, including the popular Veet Spray On or Nair, could cause inflammation and irritation. Look for a gentle formulation instead and make sure to keep it away from the anus.

Laser Hair Removal

It is strongly recommended to see a dermatologist for this procedure and not your corner salon. The amount of hair down there can be greatly reduced and for some people, the removal can even be permanent. Look for an experienced doctor since the setting on the laser for hair removal must be set very accurately to work effectively and with the least amount of pain possible.

Electrolysis

Electrolysis isn't recommended for removing hair from the perianal region. It involves inserting a tiny probe into each hair follicle. While effective, it increases your chances of infection... and it's likely to be difficult to find a local clinician who performs this procedure at a reasonable cost.

Epilation

Epilation is another method to avoid when removing hair from the perianal area. There are a lot of nerve endings in the perianal area and the pain of yanking out multiple hairs simultaneously would be too much. The removal of hair shouldn't be excruciating!

Ongoing Skin Care

Once you start removing perianal hair, it's very important to prevent ingrown hairs. Eventually, the pustules will break, opening the skin up to fecal matter & bacterial infections.

It's also recommended to avoid sexual activity for a day or two after treatment to avoid any mess from entering open pores.

Exfoliate the skin with a wash cloth, a loofah or a bath sponge while in the shower. Don't scrub as if you're cleaning a countertop, but gently rub the area to remove the dead skin cells. If the skin is flaking, see a doctor to determine what is causing the irritation. Hair removal of perianal hair must be done in a very clean and careful manner.