I’m a doctor – here’s why having a hairy bum is good for your health

'TO SHAVE or not to shave?' is a question we've probably all asked ourselves at some point.

When it comes to removing hair down there, if and how you do it is entirely your own choice.

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But you might think twice about shaving your derriere after hearing what a doctor had to say about bum hair.

"After watching this video you'll never look at your bum whiskers the same way again,"  NHS surgeon  told his 5.1 million TikTok followers.

"And you might even reconsider waxing or shaving it," he added.

Turns out your butt fuzz isn't just decorative - it actually has a specific purpose.

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Dr Raj said: “The perianal skin which contains hair follicles also contains apocrine glands, which secrete an oily substance.

“Now, your tufted tailpipe can trap these oily secretions to keep your crack nicely lubricated.”

This lubrication, he explained, can help reduce irritation and rashes by easing the friction when your bum cheeks rub against each other.  

There's one more reason why you might want your hair down there to trap those oily secretions, Dr Raj added.

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“These oils also feed the good bacteria around your derriere,” he said.

“Remember, a strong and healthy perianal microbiome is a very good weapon to have in your arsenal.”

What you do with this information is up to you.

Experts have previously shared how pubic hair can act as a barrier for germs, and Canadian scientists found that hot waxing and shaving vaginal hair - especially when using shaving foam - make you three times more likely to catch an STI.

If you do elect to shave your bottom, Harley Street dermatologist Dr Jinah Yoo told The Sun it's key you change your blade after around seven shaves.

"If your razor is old, the blade itself may be blunt, so you won’t be able to achieve a close shave, the blade also harbours bacteria, which may upset the delicate PH levels of your intimate areas," she said.

It's also very important that you first trim the area of any excess hair before going in with a razor, Dr Yoo added.