QUESTION: What’s the deal with anal bleaching and all the other things people do to their buttholes? Why are people even into this stuff?

Have you heard of anal bleaching? What about anal reconstruction surgery? A good ol’ buttcrack waxin’? Unless you’ve been living under a rock, we’re sure you’ve heard some whisper of butthole enhancement treatments.

This is mainstream, y’all. This topic is a pop culture darling. Remember that scene from the movie “Bridesmaids?”

Yeah. We all do.

Ness Cooper, a clinical sexologist and sex and relationship coach at The Sex Consultant, says that this particular cultural phenomenon comes from a lack of “education on anal pleasure and stimulation, so it can be fascinating for us as it’s such an unknown.”

Justin Lehmiller, Ph.D., a research fellow at The Kinsey Institute and author of the book, Tell Me What You Want, points out that butthole obsession may “be driven, in part, by an increased representation of anal sex practices in porn, which may be leading some people to think that their rear ends are ‘supposed’ to look a certain way.”

The social value in the aesthetics of all things butthole-related makes sense. Widespread anal play is hotter than ever. When you look at the absolutely bonkers amount of money poured into the (total snake oil) “vaginal rejuvenation” industry (estimated to be in the $50 million range and growing), it makes sense that anuses would be targeted, too—especially for those who don’t have a vulva. Got to keep the industry booming, am I right?

But, is any of this even necessary? Is it safe? Does it actually matter what our puckered little bumholes look like? Like, is anyone judging the color, size, and shape of one’s a*shole?

To get to the bottom of this (pun intended), I dig deep and explore the very important question: Why are people so obsessed with what their buttholes look like? And, perhaps more importantly, are these cosmetic and surgical procedures something you should be doing yourself?

Let’s Talk About Waxing

Bikini waxing has been a popular aesthetic choice for many, many moons. Brazilian waxes are among the most popular forms. This is when all the pubic hair (yes, all) is removed from the entire genital region. For those who give a hoot about the appearance of their buttholes and cracks, the famous Brazilian wax strips off all of this hair (in addition to hair around the vulva and balls).

Ellen Stagg, co-host of the Hey Poopy podcast, a show that explores all things butt-related, says that she does DIY Brazilian wax[es] every month. “I do my butthole too because I’m already in the area giving myself a Brazilian,” she explains. “I use a magnifying makeup mirror with a light to really get in there and get all the hairs. I do it because when they are long, they are itchy.”

While waxing your butthole is relatively safe, Cooper points out that it increases your risk of contracting sexually transmitted infections (STIs). The “hair around the anus may help protect the area from chafing and infections,” she says. According to the Mayo Clinic, there is no medical reason for removing pubic hair, but doing so can cause inflammation and irritation, as well as a higher likelihood of bacterial infection.

Basically, it’s not incredibly dangerous, but there are risks to be aware of, especially if you’re having sex with multiple partners. Be sure to use barrier methods (whether you’re waxing or not) if you don’t know your partner’s STI status.

Who Are You Bleaching For?

Anal bleaching is not a DIY game. Bleach can cause irritation, pain, and infection. “Bleaching is something that’s not needed, and when bleaching, I recommend getting it done professionally,” Cooper says.

People are into bleaching because the buttcrack and anus are generally a bit darker in color than the rest of the body. In an image-obsessed world, flawless skin is a must—even if it is our butts.

Anal bleaching is born out of the idea that you need to have a perfectly white or light-colored anus. But, the reality is, you don’t need a bleached bumhole to have a beautiful bumhole. In fact, if your butthole is super light, it is likely to look pretty obvious that you did something to change it.

All in all, you do you—but it isn’t something we’d recommend spending money on. If it makes you feel more confident when you spread those cheeks for a lover (or yourself), go for it. Just be sure you’re getting your bleaching done by a professional who knows what they’re doing.

Where Does Anal Reconstruction Play Into This?

Anal reconstruction surgery can happen for aesthetic reasons, but it’s pretty rare—unlike its counterpart, the infamous vulvoplasty, which is completely cosmetic.

Usually, anal reconstruction is only done in medically necessary situations, such as anal prolapse. If you want to have your anus altered in some way because you don’t care for the look of it, we recommend rethinking this.

Some important questions to ask: Why is this important to you? Where is this need actually coming from? Is this really about my butthole, or is it coming from somewhere darker within myself?

The most likely answer is that you’re worried about what others might think of your butthole. We have news for you: No one cares that much. And if they do, they’re probably not someone who you want to have sex with. Life’s too short to waste time on someone who makes you feel crappy for what your butthole looks like. Come on, babycakes!

The truth is, your butthole doesn’t need to be bedazzled to be beautiful. All people are entitled to do whatever they want with their bodies, but the insecurity around what our anuses look like is based on false representations of anuses in the media and a capitalist industry that wants to harness that insecurity to make beaucoup buckaroos. As Lehmiller puts it, when it comes to IRL bumholes, “there’s some natural variability in color and appearance, just as there is with vulvas and penises.” Chances are, you’re perfectly normal. Every single butthole is a special snowflake.

The end. Happy trails.

XOXO GIGI

This article originally appeared on TheBody.