The truth is that unless you have those thighs that don’t touch, leaving just enough of a gap to intrigue, your thighs are going to chafe, especially in the summer when it’s hot and sweaty.
Chub rub is a thing! When you walk, exercise or move in any way as to cause friction and there is heat or excessive sweating, you get chafed skin. Chafed skin is when your skin becomes raw and painful from too much friction, for example on your inner thighs. Men may even develop a rash in the groin and encounter chafed balls.
I’ve had my thighs chafe so bad, it caused me actual physical pain, so much so that I couldn’t stand walking with my legs together. Duck walk, trying to keep my legs as far apart as possible, is not a cute look.
I decided that summer will no longer be ruined by my too-intimate thighs, and so I went on a hunt for information. My search yielded the following results.
Preventing chafed inner thighs
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It’s funny how every time it happens, we are surprised that it does. Yet it’s not like summer doesn’t come around every year like sweating isn’t a basic human function, and like we are oblivious to the fact that our thighs are close friends.
Be wiser. Prepare in advance. Here’s how:
1. Vaseline before you go
Vaseline is a great petroleum jelly that keeps things gliding instead or dry rubbing. Apply a healthy amount before going out, or exercising and save yourself some grief.
2. Talcum powder for excessive sweating
If you happen to sweat a lot and have your thighs together, then you have the guaranteed pain combo. In the summer, this is basically everyone.
Apply some talcum powder over the areas you know will chafe. We are talking primarily the thigh region, but sometimes your upper arms, or your bra chafe as well. Talcum powder keeps you fresh and dry, absorbing the excessive moisture.
For extra protection, apply antiperspirant over the same areas.
3. No, chafing is not an excuse not to exercise!
Going to the gym in tiny shorts, then complaining that the chafing is too much, and never going back again, is likely a scenario many people have been in.
Instead of suffering and benefitting nothing, wear proper exercise clothes. The best clothes to absorb moisture are those made with synthetic fibers, unlike cotton.
Compression shorts and minimal upper body wear when exercising also help reduce chafing.
Chafe safe: products you can buy to keep you chafe-free
1. No hurting thighs on date night: bandelettes
You have a date later tonight and do not want to arrive, duck-walking and in pain with every step? Bandelettes are here for you.
Bandelettes are lacy bands you can wear around your thigh. Almost like long wedding bands. Self-proclaimed to be “attractive accessories designed to stay put and provide comfort and protection all day long.”
So, your date will be painless, and should it turn sexy, you are more than prepared.
The general review is that although they take some getting used to, they get the job done.
2. Oldie is goldie: body glide
Originally made for athletes, body glide is now functionally usable daily for its anti-chafing properties. The “mess-free” handstick is easily applicable and lasts all day.
Glowing reviews on body glide. I guess some things just outlast the test of time.
3. Shorts for comfort: under summers
Under summers are shortlette slip shorts that come with a bit of lace at the bottom, just to keep things sexy y’know.
Made with soft material, under summers are designed to allow women to wear summer dresses without fearing intense pain for the effort.
They run slightly longer, covering most of the thigh, which may be a downside, especially considering summer dresses are short.
Their website declares them to be “soft, comfy, worry-free thigh protection,” and the ladies agree, finding it to be a comfortable alternative on busy summer days.
4. Luxury and softness: lush’s silky underwear
No, it’s not actually underwear, it is a good ol’ dusting powder. Living up to their name, lush’s silky underwear is said to smell great and feel wonderful.
To promote it’s luxury, the dusting powders are “delicately scented with fine essential oils, and designed to absorb moisture and oil to keep you soft and comfortable.”
They are also apparently designed for use all over your body, and selling at $10.95, you may be able to afford a little self-extravagance. A little sprinkle on your sheets guarantees sweet dreams and the “coziest cuddles.”
Although the product itself is almost decadent, it achieves luxury at the cost of staying power. It requires a few re-applications if used solo, but as a back-up, it works wonderfully.
5. Slimming and moisture resisting: Jockie Skimmies Slip shorts
Jockie skimmies are fitting anti-chafing shorts, made of seamless microfiber that are created to fight chafing in the summer while keeping your thighs looking slim.
Although they are long, they are said to prevent panty lines and limit constriction. They claim that jockie slip shorts “help you conquer the day with comfortable coverage.” The consensus seems to be that they are indeed functional if a little boring in their selection of colors, although that may be because they aim to make “colors that match your skin tone.”
The other downside is they only offer up to XXL. Although very stretchy, it excludes larger sizes for some odd reason.
Chafe guide: chafing treatment and remedies
Already chafed out? Here is a basic after
You didn’t prepare, you used none of the products and a hot day up and surprised you. All’s not lost, and pain won’t be your friend forever, follow this guide to ease the discomfort and heal the area.
1. Clean the area
After chafing, it is important to clean your skin properly. Because the skin is now sensitive, avoid soaps with harsh chemical or fragrances. These may prove irritable to your skin. Instead, opt for a gentle soap.
Clean the area just as gently and do not scrub, then dry it thoroughly. Be careful not to rub too vigorously with the towel to avoid further damage to your skin.
2. Soothe the area
since the chafed skin is damaged an irritable, it needs a soothing gel that also promotes healing. What is better for the job than aloe Vera gel?
Nothing. So, after cleaning and drying the affected area/s, rub some aloe Vera gel to the sensitive skin. This will ease discomfort and allow the healing process to begin.
3. Seal the moisture in the area
Once you have applied the gel, it is time to add a strong, protective barrier to seal in all the moisture.
Petroleum jelly like Vaseline does the job well. It also helps reduce chafing by keeping the area slick.
4. Wear breathable clothes
Cotton is a great material that allows air to pass in and out. It is also soft making it less painful if you do shift.
5. Give your skin time to heal
wait a moment before you go right back out, unless you really must. The best thing to do would be to allow your body the time it needs to heal before exposing it to the heat.
If things do not improve, then it may be time to see a doctor.
References
- https://www.xojane.com/healthy/chub-rub-thigh-chafing-solutions/
- http://www.vaseline.us/skin-health-care/how-to-deal-with-inner-thigh-chafing.html
- http://www.goodhousekeeping.com/beauty/anti-aging/a32099/rash-between-thighs-treatments/
- https://www.webmd.com/skin-problems-and-treatments/guide/chafing-causes-treatments
- https://www.jockey.com/catalog/product/skimmies-slipshort
- http://www.bodyglide.com/
- https://www.lushusa.com/body/