Other Skin Conditions: Moles, Birthmarks, Dryness, Etc. / Question
Published: July 6, 2001
Dear TeenHealthFX,
My butt is lighter than the rest of my body. I know it could be because of my swimsuit and all that but it is this way all year long and has been for a while. I actually don't go swimming that often and I don't tan easily because of my skin color. How can I get the color of my butt to match the rest of my body?
Signed: Different Color Butt
Dear Different Color Butt,
Well, this really is an interesting question. Your butt is a different color because it probably has never been exposed to sunlight like other areas of your body. It would take a long time to get the rest of your skin as light as your butt so that is why you will continue to notice a difference is skin tone.
One way to try to equalize the colors would be to go tanning in the nude, but TeenHealthFX suggest this method because of the harmful effects of UV radiation. If the color differences bother you enough you could try a self-tanning lotion or spray. They have not been perfected yet, so choose carefully, as some will tend to leave streaks or turn your skin orange rather than tan.
Another way to look at this is to view your butt as a history of your skin and what color skin you started out with. It might also help to realize that everyone who is swimming out in the sun is dealing with the same issue.
Signed: TeenHealthFX
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