Anal bleaching for men: what it is and the risks

Anal bleaching, sometimes called bum bleaching, means lightening the skin around the anus. If you're thinking about it, it helps to know what can be in the products: Trading Standards keeps finding skin lighteners on sale in the UK that contain ingredients banned here because of the harm they can do.

What is anal bleaching?

Anal bleaching means lightening the skin around the anus with a skin-lightening product or treatment. The World Health Organization says skin-lightening products, also known as skin bleaching products, make skin lighter by reducing melanin, the pigment that gives skin its colour. We found no published studies of anal bleaching itself, so its risks come from what's known about skin lighteners.

A search of PubMed, a database of medical research, found no study with "anal bleaching" in its title or summary. Everything below comes from UK regulators, Trading Standards, the NHS, the British Association of Dermatologists and the World Health Organization.

If you've been looking at anal bleaching before and after photos online, bear in mind that the NHS says social media influencers are usually paid to advertise the service. Trading Standards has also found influencers promoting skin-lightening creams directly to consumers on social media, without proper oversight.

If what you're after is a tidier look rather than a change of colour, our guide to how to shave or trim your bum covers grooming the area carefully.

Is anal bleaching legal in the UK?

Some skin-lightening products are illegal in the UK. The Office for Product Safety and Standards says hydroquinone, a skin-lightening chemical, is prohibited in cosmetic products, and the Chartered Trading Standards Institute (CTSI) says hydroquinone, mercury and powerful corticosteroids are strictly prohibited under UK product safety and cosmetics law, yet products containing them keep turning up for sale. We found no UK source that says whether having anal bleaching done is itself legal or illegal.

Hydroquinone, mercury and steroids: the UK position and the risks

	In UK cosmetics.	As a medicine.	Risks named by UK sources.
Hydroquinone	Prohibited	Available on prescription for skin lightening, to be used only under medical supervision	Intense irritation, uneven bleaching, ochronosis (a bluish-black discolouration of the skin), allergic contact dermatitis, and a darker, patchier look
Mercury	Banned	Not available on prescription, and should never be used	Builds up in the body and damages the kidneys, liver and brain; increased pigmentation and itchy rashes; abnormalities in an unborn baby if used in pregnancy
Strong steroids (corticosteroids such as clobetasol propionate or betamethasone)	Prohibited	Prescribed for genuine medical reasons, but never for skin lightening	Permanent skin bleaching, thinning skin, visible blood vessels, uneven colour loss, and a higher risk of skin infections, sores and boils

From the Office for Product Safety and Standards, the Chartered Trading Standards Institute, Southwark Council Trading Standards and the British Association of Dermatologists.

One Office for Product Safety and Standards report describes a skin-lightening body lotion for men that was found to contain hydroquinone; the products were seized and destroyed. Southwark Council's Trading Standards team says hydroquinone, mercury and steroids in skin lighteners are banned in the UK and EU, though some countries have not banned them.

Two of these ingredients have real medical uses. The British Association of Dermatologists (BAD) says steroids are available on prescription and are safe if used correctly, but are never prescribed for skin lightening. It says hydroquinone is available on prescription for skin lightening, but is potentially toxic and should only be used under medical supervision. Mercury, the BAD says, is not available on prescription and should never be used.

What are the risks of anal bleaching?

Because we found no studies of anal bleaching itself, the known risks come from skin lighteners in general. The BAD says hydroquinone can cause intense irritation, uneven bleaching and ochronosis, a bluish-black discolouration of the skin, and high-dose steroids can cause permanent bleaching, thinning skin and visible blood vessels.

• Darker, patchier skin. Southwark Trading Standards says hydroquinone can leave a darker, patchier appearance, because the body overcompensates by producing more melanin. The BAD says the colour loss from steroid products may not be even.
• Allergic reactions. The Office for Product Safety and Standards calls hydroquinone a skin sensitiser that may cause allergic contact dermatitis.
• Thin, damaged skin and infections. Misusing steroid creams can cause skin thinning, stretch marks, bruising and broken veins, and a higher risk of skin infections, sores and boils, Southwark Trading Standards says.
• Mercury poisoning. Mercury builds up in the body and damages the kidneys, liver and brain, Southwark Trading Standards says. The World Health Organization lists kidney and nervous system damage and skin problems among its effects.

Skin can also darken after it's been hurt. The BAD says post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation, where skin darkens after an injury or a skin condition such as a burn, eczema or infection, is more common in darker skin types and is usually temporary.

Products used near the anus can cause trouble of their own. The NHS lists side effects of steroid creams, and of some gels and ointments for piles or anal fissures, among the causes of an itchy bottom, and says not to use perfumes or powders near the anus.

Is darker skin around your bottom something to worry about?

We found no UK health guidance that treats darker skin around the anus as a problem needing treatment. What the NHS does flag is change: see a GP if you notice a change around your anus that isn't usual for you, or new dark patches of skin, which can sometimes point to an underlying condition.

The NHS describes acanthosis nigricans as dry, dark, velvety patches of skin, most common in skin folds such as the armpits, neck or groin. The most common cause is obesity; others include type 2 diabetes, conditions that affect hormone levels and some medicines, including steroids, and rarely cancer. The NHS says the patches should fade over time once the cause is treated.

Lighter patches matter too. Lichen sclerosus, a skin condition that causes itchy white patches, most often affects the skin around the anus and the genitals, the NHS says, and an itchy white patch is a reason to see a GP.

What should you ask before having anal bleaching?

For any cosmetic procedure, the NHS says a GP might be a good place to start, but you should also book a consultation with the person who would do it before you decide. Ask how many times they've done it, what qualifications and training they have, which products they'll use, the most common complications, what aftercare you'll get, and what happens if something goes wrong.

• Check they're on a register. The NHS says practitioners of non-surgical cosmetic procedures can be checked on voluntary registers accredited by the Professional Standards Authority, such as the Joint Council of Cosmetic Practitioners (JCCP) and Save Face.
• Ask about the product. The NHS suggests asking the practitioner about the products they'll use and what could go wrong, and you can ask for information to take away, such as a leaflet from the product's manufacturer.
• Ask what to expect afterwards: how much pain, how long recovery takes, the risks and complications, and how long the results will last.
• Avoid paying before a consultation, treatment vouchers sold on voucher websites, mobile services in private homes or hotels, and practitioners who only advertise on social media, the NHS says.
• Take your time. You should be offered a cooling-off period after a consultation, and you can walk away if you're not completely comfortable.

It's also worth being clear about why you want it. The NHS says cosmetic procedures can affect your mental health if they don't turn out how you expected.

What about anal bleaching creams sold online?

Be wary. The British Association of Dermatologists (BAD) urges against products with unlabelled ingredients, products from unknown sellers (particularly on big online marketplaces), and anything unlicensed or containing banned ingredients, and the Chartered Trading Standards Institute says illegal skin lighteners are sold online and in shops. If you're in doubt, the BAD says, your GP may be able to advise.

CTSI says cosmetics sold legally in the UK must list their ingredients in English and give the name and address of a UK-based manufacturer or importer. It says to avoid products that list hydroquinone, mercury or corticosteroids such as clobetasol propionate or betamethasone, or that lack clear UK labelling.

For everyday comfort, the NHS advice for an itchy bottom is gentle: wash with water or an unscented soap, and pat dry rather than rub. Our guide to how to use a bidet, wipe and wash covers keeping the area clean.

What should you do if anal bleaching goes wrong?

Stop using the product. Southwark Trading Standards says that if you've used products containing these banned ingredients, you should stop immediately and talk to your doctor about any skin damage or health problems. For a burn on your bottom or genitals, or one caused by a chemical, the NHS says to call 999 or go to A&E.

• Get help from NHS 111 online or call 111 if you have a burn and you're not sure what to do.
• Tell your GP straight away if a cream, ointment or other medicine makes itching worse, the NHS says.
• Report the product. CTSI asks people to report suspicious cosmetics, or a reaction to one, to Trading Standards through the Citizens Advice consumer helpline on 0808 223 1133 in England and Wales, Consumer Advice Scotland on 0808 164 6000, or Consumerline on 0300 123 6262 in Northern Ireland.

When should you see a GP?

See a GP if you notice a change around your anus that isn't usual for you, new dark patches or an itchy white patch, or itching that won't go away or keeps coming back. The NHS also lists pain, blood in your poo, bleeding or leaking from your bottom, and a change in your bowel habits.

A GP may need to examine your bottom to work out what's going on. Our guides to an itchy bottom, piles and bleeding from your bottom cover the common causes. If you think an itch might be from a sexually transmitted infection, the NHS says a sexual health clinic can help, and many offer a walk-in service.