It might be our favourite season, but summer’s soaring temperatures also come with a down-side: chafing.
Excessive sweating and shorter hemlines can lead to sticky friction between thighs, arms, buttocks and breasts, resulting in skin irritation. There’s a common misconception that chafing only effects those carrying around a few extra kilos, however chafing can happen to anyone, especially throughout summer.
Avoid the burn this season, and try our tips for minimising chafe:
1. Invest in proper-fitting activewear
Staying in shape means staying active throughout summer despite the heat and humidity. To minimise chafing, ditch baggy, ill-fitting workout gear and update your gym wardrobe. Opt for leggings, shorts and tops made of seamless, moisture-wicking materials that cling to the skin.
Another idea? Give your body a break by switching up your exercise routine. Instead of jogging three times a week, head to the pool and do some laps instead. The less frequent your thighs or arms are rigourously rubbing together, the less chafing.
2. Wear shorts under your dress
While the idea of adding extra layers to your summer outfits might send your eyes rolling, there are now pants made specifically for wearing under dresses and skirts in the stinking heat. Made with a soft fabric that’s breathable (yes!) and chafe-free (bigger yes!), the Taking Shape Easy Breezy Shorts mean you can keep active all summer, without worrying about any painful inner-thigh rub. Plus, the shorts will also help to give your lower half some toned definition – they’re just like your body-shaping party pants, minus the restrictive clinching! Genius.
3. Buy underarm pads
Breasts, underarms, buttocks – summer sweat doesn’t discriminate. Apart from leaving embarrassing yellow sweat stains on all your work shirts, underarm sweat can lead to chafing (cue: red rash). Investing in a good deodorant helps – especially a clinical, long-lasting one – but refreshing throughout the day can be a difficult habit to maintain.
Your solution? Underarm liners. Sure, they don’t sound appealing but pop one on underneath a blouse and enjoy a sweat-free, chafe-free day, all day. No one will know.
4. Dust yourself
Forget Grandma’s old talcum powder; soak up sweat with something a little less retro. Dust some Lush Silky Underwear between your thighs, underarms, cleavage – anywhere you’re prone to perspiring – and fight off chafing and BO with its soothing, cocoa butter and kaolin clay-infused formula.
Lush Silky Underwear, $9.95
When it’s too late
If you’ve found this article too late and you’re already dealing with the wrath of painful chafe, there are a few solutions to help ease irritation. Firstly, ensure your soap is pH neutral and wash gently. After cleansing, pat-dry with a towel before applying plain Vaseline (any lotion with additives and perfumes will only enhance irritation), and wear breathable cotton fabrics.
If things aren’t improving, it’s important to visit your doctor, who can prescribe medicated creams in the rare case of infection.
Brought to you by Taking Shape
