By Rifan Muazin 
However, when it came to the landscape below the belt, my routine was relatively utilitarian. I typically synchronized my "manscaping" with my barbershop visits, using a 1/8-inch guard on a buzzer to keep things tidy. It was a matter of basic maintenance—an aesthetic choice I could control, driven by the belief that a cleaner look was simply more attractive. While some fashion circles claim the "fuller bush" is making a comeback, I remained steadfast in my preference for order. But as any man who has ever taken a trimmer to his nether regions knows, the skin in these areas is temperamental. It is a region defined by friction, moisture, and neglect.
As a gay man, I am acutely aware of the cultural capital placed on a well-maintained backside. In gay male culture, the buttocks are more than just a body part; they are a focal point of admiration, a sexual asset, and a key element of physical fitness. Yet, even the most aesthetically pleasing "assets" are subject to the harsh realities of human biology. Sweat, tight-fitting athletic gear, and the humid environment of a New York summer create a perfect storm for skin issues. Breakouts, ingrown hairs, and mysterious bumps often appear at the most inconvenient times—usually right before a beach weekend or a date. This vulnerability is what eventually led me to investigate a service I hadn’t previously considered: the professional butt facial.
My journey began at Bespoke Surgical, a Manhattan-based practice located near the iconic Strand Book Store. Unlike a traditional luxury medspa, Bespoke Surgical occupies a unique niche in the medical world. It is a practice built around men’s sexual health, wellness, and proctology, founded by Dr. Evan Goldstein. Their approach blends clinical expertise with cosmetic enhancement, offering everything from functional surgeries to specialized skin treatments. It was on their menu that I discovered "The Super Glow Down (There)," a $250, 90-minute treatment specifically designed for the posterior. At first glance, it sounded like the pinnacle of disposable income indulgence, but my curiosity—and a few persistent ingrown hairs—won out.
The decision to book the appointment came with a side of skepticism. I wondered if I was essentially paying a premium for someone to do what I could achieve with a bottle of exfoliating scrub and a long-handled brush. Would the results be tangible, or was this merely "pink tax" marketing applied to the male anatomy? To understand the clinical validity of such a treatment, one must look at the unique dermatological challenges of the area. Dr. Brandon Kirsch, a chief medical officer at Von & Co Medical Aesthetics, notes that the skin on the buttocks is structurally different from the skin on the face. It is thicker, possesses fewer oil glands, and is subjected to constant "occlusion"—meaning it is almost always covered by layers of fabric.
"Skin there is prone to issues because it is frequently in a warm, damp, and sweaty environment," Dr. Kirsch explains. This environment promotes the growth of bacteria and fungi, leading to conditions like folliculitis (inflammation of the hair follicles) or keratosis pilaris (small, rough bumps). When you add the friction of sitting for eight hours a day and the trauma of hair removal, the skin barrier often becomes compromised. This leads to post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation—those dark spots that remain long after a breakout has healed.
When I arrived at Bespoke Surgical on a bright Wednesday morning, the atmosphere was clinical yet calming. I was met by Michael Aronwits, a registered aesthetic nurse who would be performing the treatment. The process began with a thorough skincare assessment. Aronwits asked about my current routine, which forced me to admit that while I have a multi-step regimen for my face, my butt usually receives nothing more than a haphazard swipe of CeraVe lotion after a shower. Aronwits explained that understanding a patient’s baseline is crucial for tailoring the treatment. "A great treatment starts with understanding where someone’s skin is before we even begin," he said, noting that he looks for signs of irritation or products that might interact negatively with the professional-grade acids he uses.
The procedure required full nudity, a prospect that might daunt some, but in the context of a medical office, it felt purely professional. I hopped onto the table, face down, and the 90-minute process began. The treatment is a multi-stage odyssey that treats the skin of the buttocks with the same reverence usually reserved for the face. It started with a gentle, non-stripping cleanser to remove surface oils and bacteria, followed by a hydrating toner.
Next came the exfoliation phase. Aronwits used the Future Method Butt & Body Scrub, a product developed by Dr. Goldstein specifically for the unique texture of the area. Unlike the aggressive, gritty scrubs found in drugstores, this was a more refined exfoliation. Aronwits cautioned against the use of loofahs or harsh gloves at home, explaining that microtrauma from excessive scrubbing can actually worsen inflammation and lead to more ingrown hairs.
One of the most critical parts of the session was the extraction phase. Under magnification, Aronwits inspected the skin for clogged pores and trapped hairs. Using a "least traumatic" approach—sometimes involving sterile lancets or fine tweezers—he cleared out imperfections that I hadn’t even noticed. Following the extractions, he utilized a high-frequency machine. This device uses a glass electrode to deliver a mild electrical current to the skin, creating enriched oxygen (ozone) that kills acne-causing bacteria and reduces redness.
The treatment then moved into the realm of advanced "glass skin" aesthetics. A serum containing kojic and azelaic acids was applied to target hyperpigmentation. Kojic acid is a well-known chelation agent produced by several species of fungi; it inhibits the formation of tyrosine, which is needed to produce melanin. Azelaic acid, meanwhile, is a dicarboxylic acid that helps clear pores and soothe inflammation. For someone who had previously ignored this patch of skin, having a nurse meticulously apply high-end acids to my cheeks felt like a revelation in self-care.
As the treatment progressed, the boundaries of modesty continued to blur. To ensure a thorough application, Aronwits had to work closely, occasionally separating the cheeks to reach areas prone to friction-induced darkening. Yet, the environment remained strictly clinical. The strangest part of the experience was how quickly the "strangeness" evaporated. I found myself drifting off to a Chill House playlist while a professional massaged my glutes to improve circulation and product absorption.
The finale of the "Super Glow Down" involved a hydrating jelly mask infused with PDRN (Polydeoxyribonucleotide). PDRN is an ingredient derived from salmon DNA, which has gained significant traction in the "glass skin" movement for its ability to accelerate tissue repair and reduce inflammation. This was followed by LED light therapy—a blast of red light to stimulate collagen production and further calm the skin—and a final layer of barrier-repair cream.
By the time I stood up and dressed, I felt a physical sensation of "lightness." It sounds hyperbolic, but after 90 minutes of professional attention, the skin felt remarkably different—smoother, more hydrated, and entirely free of the "roughness" I had come to accept as a default state of being. The aftercare instructions were simple: no saunas, no heavy sweating, and no intense workouts for 24 hours to allow the barrier cream to do its work.
Reflecting on the experience during my subway ride home, I realized that the "butt facial" represents the final frontier of the male grooming boom. The global men’s grooming market is projected to reach over $115 billion by 2028, and much of that growth is driven by a shift from "basic needs" to "advanced aesthetics." Men are no longer content with just looking okay; they want to feel optimized from head to toe.
While the idea of a butt facial may still evoke a chuckle in some circles, the dermatological benefits are hard to argue with. For those who suffer from chronic folliculitis or scarring from years of shaving, a professional intervention offers a level of clearing that at-home products simply cannot match. It is a fusion of vanity and hygiene that fits perfectly into the modern self-care landscape. As Dr. Kirsch noted, the "real derm value" lies in having a trained professional distinguish between a simple breakout and a more serious skin condition.
Ultimately, my journey to Bespoke Surgical taught me that no part of the body is truly exempt from the benefits of a focused skincare routine. We spend hundreds of dollars on facial serums and gym memberships to sculpt our physiques, yet we often ignore the very skin that bears the brunt of our daily activity. My first butt facial may have been born out of curiosity, but the results—a glow that I know is there, even if only a few people see it—ensure that it certainly won’t be my last. The male grooming industry has found its last neglected territory, and it turns out, the results are well worth the investment.
