Five ways to avoid chafing this summer

In the words of the famous Ashley Graham, ‘thick thighs save lives.’ Unfortunately, in the warmer months, thick thighs are also subject to chafing.

Chafing - once somewhat distastefully referred to as ‘chub rub’ - is quite possibly one of the most annoying downfalls of summer. Whether it’s from a workout, a sandy day or a badly placed seam, rubbing of the thighs can result in a rather painful friction burn.

But it’s not just the thighs that are subject to the burn. Chafing can affect many areas of the body, like your toes, bra strap areas...dare we even mention the bikini line? Basically, any place subject to a combination of moisture, heat, and irritating fabric is a potential victim to the chafe.

Luckily, the summer gods have come up with a barrage of anti-chafing solutions from specialised underwear to heavenly creams and powders, so you don’t have to suffer this summer.

1. Anti-chafing shorts and bands

Anti-chafing shorts are the easiest way to avoid chafed thighs. Plus, these bicycle short styled garments are perfect for wearing under your dress on a windy day.

Of course, brands like M&S and Spanx have hit the nail on the head when it comes to anti-chafing shorts. These brands have created light, breathable products, and best of all, they make the perfect barrier for rubbing skin.

If the idea of potentially giving your private parts the chance to overheat scares you, you could always try anti-chafe bands instead. These bands can be placed around the tops of the thighs, and their strong fabric will help them stay in place all day.

2. Lush’s Silky Underwear Dusting Powder

Lush’s Silky Underwear Dusting Powder will leave your skin silky smooth, making it the perfect solution for chafing.

Essentially Silky Underwear is a vastly upgraded version of talc that can be put almost anywhere from the thighs, between the toes or even around the under-boob and bikini-line to help reduce painful friction. Plus, it smells absolutely divine!

3. Let your skin breathe

Chafing can be caused by more than just skin on skin contact. Moisture and heat can also go a long way to giving you that awful summer rash. To avoid chafing, opt for breathable, moisture-wicking fabrics and light, fitting clothes. This will help reduce the chances of irritation and keep the skin nice and dry.

And remember, if you’ve been running, swimming or accidentally caught in the rain, it’s always a good idea to change out of your soaked gear as soon as possible.

4. Soft bandages

Sometimes a soft bandage or second skin is just enough to stop chafing. Bandages are especially helpful for smaller patches of irritation, such as the areas under your sandal straps.

5. Deodorant

Roll-on deodorant is an age-old anti-chafing trick, but the reason it has been around for so long is because it works. Sweat commonly proves to be a problem when it comes to chafing, so before getting dressed, try applying a thin layer of deodorant to your inner thighs and under-boobs.