Should You Moisturize Your Anus?

Do You Moisturize Your Anus?

Over the years, beauty culture has become obsessed with moisturizing. Though women's beauty has always included a level of moisturizing in its regimen, there's been a heavy emphasis on it in the last decade. There are an infinite number of products that promise super moisturization in order to fight wrinkles, maintain elasticity, fight blemishes, and encourage the replenishment of skin cells. This focus on face moisturization has moved on over to just about every other part of the body, including hands, feet, and body in general. With the dawn of the metrosexual and the gays taking over the world, men's skin regiment has become more prominent. In earlier days, men wouldn't use soap and water and call it a day. Now, even the straightest of the straight are paying attention to how they maintain their skin. Look at all the major product lines that now carry men's versions - from Dove to Loreal to Kiehls. Men are taking care of their mug. This last year, new products have hit the market that promote the moisturizing of...your anus.

Anal moisturizers are now a thing claiming to change the nature of your booty. Soothing hydration promises to relieve anal discomfort and prevent small cracks and tears, perfect for anyone suffering from hemorrhoids or fissure issues. They promise you can say goodbye to anal itching and have better bowel movements with hydrated skin. Also, for the discerning gay who might want to photograph their anus for Grindr use, moisturizers are meant to even out rough and bumpy skin. Some anal balms (we aren't naming products cause they ain't paying us) promise a combination of all-natural herbs, spices, and essential oils to also deodorize, and protect the skin from unwanted odors while leaving behind a pleasant scent. It's like a candle for your rectum.

Where is all this coming from? Did you know that doctors in the U.S. have coined the term Polished Anus Syndrome (PAS)? Bluntly put, it's basically a burning, itchy butthole. Why did the U.S. have to name this condition? Thank the straights. Apparently, straight men are so afraid of acknowledging their anus in any way for fear of "acting gay" that they forego any maintenance or proper care when it comes to wiping, clipping hair, or probing maintenance. Also, the U.S. is not known to employ bidets, something regularly used in other countries that greatly cuts down the need for additional anus maintenance. Most of the men in the U.S. are just running around with dirty butts. Gross.

That being said, adding an anal lotion, especially with scent and tingly additives can also easily irritate the skin and cause irritation and bleeding, and that can provide a home to dangerous bacteria. Here's the thing, your anus is pretty moist already and, unless you have a preexisting condition like not wiping well leading to PAS, you should just leave it alone unless it's an unscented, non-chemical laden wipe or topical cream. Aloe has also been used for PAS. But you don't need to make it a regular thing. Just wipe well, buy a bidet, trim that hairy hole, and let it be. The body self-moisturizes that area since it's so hard to reach...for most.

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