Not everyone wants to tweak the tint of their anus. 

For those that do seek a new shade - are there any risks in having the treatment when it comes to sex?

We did a little digging so you can know if it’s safe to get a dicking in your new hue hole.

What even is anal bleaching?

Anal bleaching is, most often, the use of certain chemicals to lighten the pigment (the colour of the skin) around your butthole. Although sometimes it’s done with a laser!

Either way, it’s using something to essentially wear away or break down the melanin (the pigment in your skin) - and that can leave your ring a little raw. Sexual health experts have raised concerns about the safety of different anal bleaching methods as very little research is available on this topic, and we know that these procedures can carry risks, such as scarring or tissue damage.

Make sure you do your research on the method, ingredients and the provider before you decide to go for it!

Also, there is nothing wrong with having more pigment around your hole, and there's a whole other conversation here about why some beauty standards encourage "lightening" the skin. Darker does not mean dirty. But, much like with other cosmetic procedures, there's no judgement in getting them if you feel you need to - just know that no matter the level of melanin, your body (read: hole) is valid and beautiful.

Can I still have sex after anal bleaching?

You can still have sex, but you need to know a few things before you get too ahead of yourself.

Most providers advise at least a three-day break before you can go back into action, and definitely for as long as any pain or discomfort persists.

Realistically you should probably avoid anal sex, or any rigorous exercise involving the area (so even if you’re topping) for at least three days after your procedure/treatment. It’s less clear when it comes to daily, at-home products, but we reckon at least avoid sex right after applying in that case. This is just to give your butt a bit of a break before getting back to werk.

As with anything that weakens or damages your skin, there may be local inflammation in the area and more of a chance of tearing (ouch) which not only hurts like heck but may put you at more risk of HIV and other STIs. 

Also, just flagging that it’s probably going to be sore/irritated depending on what type of treatment you’ve had. So you might not even be in the mood. 

As a rule of thumb, if it hurts, you should really stop. Use your mouth, hands, toys, or stop and watch a movie, whatever works - it’s only a couple of days. There are more ways to have fun and it’s not worth an anal fissure, that's for sure.

If you do still want to have sex in the butt after bleaching - there are ways we can address some of that extra risk.

What can I do about STI risk if I’ve had my ass bleached?

Apart from giving your hole a little time to heal, the regular prevention tools apply. Use condoms to prevent cum from getting anywhere near your sore spot. If your sexual partner is living with HIV and on treatment that has resulted in an undetectable viral load, there is no risk of HIV transmission. If you’re on PrEP, you should continue using it as prescribed.

Some STIs even condoms don’t prevent, so make sure you’re testing regularly too and chat to any partners about their testing habits if appropriate. 

In summary

• Anal bleaching may temporarily increase your risk of acquiring an STI, as any kind of irritation or injury on/around/in your anus means there’s more of a chance of tearing and STI transmission
• But that’s okay because condoms, PrEP and U=U can help on the HIV front
• Make sure you’re testing regularly for HIV and other STIs to know your status
• At the end of the day, it’s probably best to just have a little break from butt stuff while it heals