We all know that yoga is good for the body, mind, and soul, so this new development might bum you out. According to NYMag’s “The Cut,” dermatologists in cosmopolitan yoga mecca New York City are seeing more and more patients come to them to treat their “buttne”—that is, acne on the buttocks.
“We are seeing a lot more breakouts on the butt,” reports dermatologist Elizabeth Tanzi, MD, who practices in NYC and Washington, DC. “I have seen quite a bit of acne on the buttocks as of late,” confirms Dr. Carlos Charles of New York-Presbyterian Hospital’s dermatology department.
The culprit? Your trusty, faithful, and often overpriced yoga pants.
Pore-Clogging Sweat and Dirt
It seems going for a green juice and vegan burrito, picking your kid up from school, or finishing up the day’s errands in the same pair of nylon-spandex-cotton blend trousers you’ve been rocking since this morning’s 6:30 A.M. Power Hour or Ashtanga Vinyasa class is a surefire recipe for a bumpy bottom.
“Sweat that sits on the body for extended periods of time leads to the overgrowth of bacteria that can exacerbate acne,” explains Dr. Charles.
See, no matter how much you paid for those Lululemons or how comfortable your tush feels in them, your yoga pants are designed to cling to your body like a glove—putting your buttocks in dangerously close contact with pore-clogging sweat and bacteria, especially when you wear them all day!
The longer you keep your tight, sweaty, and dirty yoga pants on and hold off on that post-asana shower, the more likely you are to get, well, funk on your badonkadonk.
How to Avoid “Buttne”
Still, diehard fans who swear by the comfort and booty-boost that yoga pants so tirelessly deliver need not suffer in agony of unsightly butt acne.
For a smooth and spotless yogi derriere, make sure to use a body wash infused with the same ingredients that keep the skin on your face clear, such as salicylic acid, benzoyl peroxide, or tea tree oil, when you shower.
If you insist on a yoga-themed ensemble for the day, don’t slum it by donning your soggy threads. Instead, take a clean, dry pair of yoga pants with you to change into after practicing—and don’t forget to sanitize that ass after class.
