Butt masking: JLo, Kesha's favorite regimen will get you a killer tush, here's all you need to know about it
Singer Kesha recently revealed that she's pampering her butt during self-isolation. Kesha is camped up with her boyfriend Brad Ashenfelter and in a recent interview, she detailed out the things she's adding to her routine in order to feel sane and ward off anxiety and depression.
Kesha has been indulging in a lot of self-care and taking care of her skin is a huge part of her 'at-home' routine. The 'Tik Tok' hitmaker admitted that while a full skincare routine is not possible given her exhausting schedule these days, a bubble bath and collagen sheet mask are some things she lists as her favorite.
She is also taking really good care of her butt and uses Bawdy butt sheet masks that are also a hit with Jennifer Lopez, to help keep her behind in good condition. "It helps having someone put it on your butt, so that’s another perk of being quarantined with my boyfriend. It’s one of those things that, at the end of the night brings me happiness,” she said.
Madonna has also been known to be a fan of masking but for the butt and she once said, "Don’t you want soft skin on your butt? Don’t other people look at your butt? Your butt has an audience! I encourage it. Maybe you can ask your significant other to remove the mask for you.”
What are butt masks?
A butt mask is just like your regular face mask, but as the name suggests, NOT for your face. It serves the exact same purpose on your butt. Right from exfoliating to purifying as well as toning and hydrating, butt masks do it all. Butt masks come with two sheets — one for each cheek.
Are they any good?
A good butt mask can help get rid of buttne (butt acne) and render it smooth, some variants even make it firmer while mildly reducing cellulite. However, it will not magically make the butt bigger or curvier and people in hopes of one may resort to a glute-focused workout in order to achieve the same.
Expert Speak
Dr. Joshua Zeichner, director of cosmetic and clinical research in dermatology at Mount Sinai Hospital in New York City listed the potential benefits of butt masks in an interview with Teen Vogue. “It’s not just the cheeks on your face that are getting the all-star treatment nowadays. Generally speaking, the skin on the buttocks tends to age better than the skin on the face because it is exposed to much less UV light."
"However, buttock skin commonly develops dryness, irritation, chafing, and breakouts because of sweating and friction. With age, collagen and elastin become weaker, leading to loss of elasticity and drooping, Masks typically contain ingredients that address these issues, helping to firm, plump, and hydrate,” he continues. If these are symptoms you experience, a butt sheet mask might be the fit to add to your self-care regimen." Dr. Zeichner explained further.
Dr. Debra Jaliman, MD, a New York City-based dermatologist and author of 'Skin Rules' mentions that collagen makes up 75-80% of our skin and can be found in the middle layer of skin called the dermis. This layer gives skin its fullness, thanks to powerful duo collagen and hyaluronic acid (also found naturally in the body).
However, these diminish as we age. "When we are young, we make as much as we break down, but as we get older we break down more than we make," explains Dr. Jaliman. The result? Wrinkles and loss of firmness. Masks can help reduce the appearance of lines and wrinkles and simultaneously plump your skin up, which makes them perfect for both your face and your backside.
Are they essential?
We would say, to each their own. However, it is an important part of the body and the most ignored and it wouldn't hurt to show it some love and care once in a while.