Over the past few years, intimate bleaching has become a much more highly sought after treatment, though many are still confused about what exactly intimate bleaching is, why people do it, and what the process and potential risks or benefits are. In this article, we hope to shed some light in these areas to educate people on the reasons to consider this procedure, things you should know beforehand, and the overall process for the procedure as well.
Overall, there are two main types of intimate bleaching – anal bleaching and vaginal bleaching. There are other forms of general bleaching for other areas of the body, but when considering intimate bleaching, these are the two main services that med spa’s and plastic surgery practices are referring to.
What Is Anal Bleaching vs. Vaginal Bleaching?
Anal bleaching is the more common of the two bleaching procedures, mainly due to longer period of time it has been a service. Anal bleaching refers to a treatment that lightens the skin around the anus, which is a medical procedure done mainly for cosmetic purposes, in order to lighten the color of the skin around the anal region. For vaginal bleaching, the procedure is a bit different, but the end goal is technically the same - to lighten the skin outside the vagina or the vulva (including the labia and mons). Both of these procedures are typically done as an extra boost of confidence, self-esteem or even just to see what it’s like. Since the results aren’t permanent, some people do this procedure often while others do it only for special occasions. Most people do it because they like the appeal of the uniform looking lighter skin versus the dark patches or overall dark skin that is common in the vaginal and anal area.
Why Did Anal Bleaching & Vaginal Bleaching Become Popular?
With many porn stars and celebrities adopting these procedures, they have grown tremendously in popularity and awareness over just the past few years. This has caused a surge in the number of both women and men who inquire about bleaching their anus, even if just to feel cleaner and more confident during sex or when wearing more revealing clothing like a g-string, thong, or even a bikini on the beach. This is also why more ladies are choosing to bleach their vaginas through similar whitening treatments or procedures. Also, since wearing tighter underwear or having poor skincare habits can increase the melanin, resulting in darker skin, anal bleaching and vaginal bleaching actually reverses this process to help provide a more clean look.
Where Can I Get Anal Bleaching or Vaginal Bleaching Performed?
Both of these procedures can be done in a salon or a medical practice (commonly plastic surgery practices) using a combination of efforts. Some people also choose to purchase an at-home topical cream that they can apply themselves, though there are risks to doing this or any type of procedure.
Is Anal & Vaginal Bleaching Actually Bleaching The Area?
Anal and vaginal bleaching use different techniques and products to get the job done, but neither of them uses the standard Clorox bleach that people think of when they use bleach. Instead, each product used has active ingredients to lighten the skin of the area you are trying to lighten. In fact, food products use a similar “whitening” approach to lighten the color of the food along with other cosmetic products.
Vaginal Bleaching Products - For vaginal bleaching, Kojic Acid is often listed as the active ingredient in products used for this service. This chemical exfoliant comes from a form of fungus that comes from the natural rice fermentation process and is typically a more safe route than other chemicals. Another chemical often found in vaginal bleaching is hydroquinone, which can be considered much more dangerous and is in fact banned in the EU and other countries. No matter what is used, make sure you understand what is in the product if you choose to do it yourself since any product that upsets your vagina’s pH could lead to an infection.
Anal Bleaching Products – For anal bleaching, Kojic Acid is also a common active ingredient along with Alpha Arbutin, which is often referred to as one of the most important ingredients due to it being how the process works. Essentially it decreases the pigmentation on the skin to create a more seamless blend of color around the entire anal area. Some anal bleaching products also attempt to use hydroquinone which is a rather dangerous chemical that can lead to cancer or other major negative issues like skin disorders, itchy rashes, etc.
Are Multiple Treatments Needed?
Depending upon the current tone of your skin, multiple treatments may be required. Since this process is not permanent, take the time to learn the tone you are likely going to be happy with and then monitor your specific results. The results can then last up to 6 months, though depending upon your skin tone and other factors, you may need to go in more regularly if you'd like to maintain the results.
Can All Skin Tones Benefit From Anal & Vaginal Bleaching?
Yes, this process is good for all skin tones, but realize that the results will vary based on your skin tone, meaning it may take more treatments to obtain the results you desire, as mentioned above. Below is a quick graph of the potential skin tone changes for anal bleaching with you can use as a reference guide of the volume of treatments it might require to get you to your ideal skin color (this is to be used as a guide only and not an indication of actual results since results will vary):
Is Anal Bleaching & Vaginal Bleaching Safe?
No matter which procedure you decide to do, you should do your research to better learn what is and isn’t the right product for you, especially since not all skin whitening treatments are safe. Also, any chemical if not performed correctly can lead to skin irritation or chemical burns, so if you do choose to do this yourself, make sure you pay very close attention to how to avoid this from occurring through the products you are using. Also, avoid ANYTHING with Hydroquinone as mentioned earlier since it is not safe. Physicians are also expressing concerns from the increased number of people using products that include harsh ingredients for faster results, leading to some rather dangerous and potentially permanent side-effects like ochronosis, scarring, or even cancer.
If you go to a certified intimate bleaching technician at a qualified Med Spa, Medical Clinic, Plastic Surgery Practice, or elsewhere, you can ensure a much lower risk of any side effects. The process itself, as mentioned above, is a rather natural process of lightening the pigmentation of the skin, so in most cases when done properly, it is a completely safe and effective way to lighten the skin in the desired area of your body.
Is There Anything Else I Need To Prepare For?
One thing that many MedSpas and others forget to mention is that preparation of the areas you are wanting to be treated may be required prior to service in order to obtain the desired results. Your Esthetician, Nurse, Doctor, or other medical professionals will need to meet with you in person to confirm what type of preparation would be needed for your specific treatment and desired results. There is also a post-procedure kit that will most likely be needed after the service/procedure is completed.
If you have further questions pertaining to intimate bleaching or would like to schedule a consultation to determine what options might be right for you, please contact us today and we look forward to serving you however we can.