Summer is just around the corner, bringing with it its share of little pleasures… and little annoyances. The one that bothers you most: your thighs rubbing together and ending up irritated. To understand why your body is built this way and, above all, to find anti-chafing solutions, read on!
Why do my thighs touch?
There are several answers to this question:
- it may be a morphological characteristic, purely genetic, with nothing to do with weight;
- water retention can explain the phenomenon, especially in summer. Thighs swell due to poor veno-lymphatic circulation (vasodilation caused by heat) and, once congested, end up chafing;
- pregnancy can be a contributing factor. Pregnant women gain weight but also tend to retain water, leading to changes in body shape;
- excess weight can also be an explanation, as we know that women’s fat cells tend to concentrate mainly in the thighs, buttocks and hips area;
- finally, muscle mass can also be the cause. If you practise a sport that particularly works the thighs (cycling, weight training), they will inevitably gain in volume and may end up touching.
Whatever the reason, having thighs that touch is neither rare nor something to be ashamed of. Don’t assume that every woman sports a well-defined « thigh gap », because it is far from the norm. Very few women have this kind of body shape – it requires very slim thighs and fairly wide hips, or an extremely lean frame. When you consider that 40% of French women wear a size 44 or above and that the most common size is a 40 (19.5%) followed by a 42 (18.50%), it quickly becomes clear that thigh chafing is the reality for the vast majority of women.
How to slim the inner thighs?
If you feel self-conscious about your thighs touching, know that solutions do exist. You can tone and slim your thighs and, in doing so, reduce chafing. To achieve this:
- adopt a healthy, balanced diet, which will help prevent fat accumulation in the thigh area;
- exercise regularly and choose a discipline that tones the inner thighs and slims the thighs overall. Think of certain fitness moves (clamshell, lateral squats, fire hydrant…) or sports such as roller skating;
- use targeted skincare, such as our duo Gel Minceur Cryo Cuisses (day) and Crème Minceur Nuit Cuisses. Their targeted slimming action is highly focused and genuinely effective – 95% of people who have tried this routine would recommend it;
- massage, for example using our Appareil Minceur, whose 3 massage heads let you tailor the type of massage (slimming, reshaping or firming) and can be used on the inner thighs;
- consider smart textiles, which continuously release slimming actives across the stomach, buttocks, hips and thigh area. Our Shorty Minceur is the obvious choice here – its fabric is infused with encapsulated slimming actives. Incredibly comfortable and invisible under clothing, its shaping textile helps reduce centimetres around the thighs.
Thighs that rub together: how to relieve chafing?
Thigh chafing is generally not a problem in winter, or when wearing relatively thick trousers. But when warmer weather arrives, it can become a real issue: heat and the perspiration that comes with it cause irritation on the inner thighs. The problem is made worse by wearing short shorts or dresses, as the skin rubs with every step. The result: redness and spots, burning sensations, itching and real discomfort.
There are, however, genuinely effective anti-chafing solutions. Because the best weapon is still prevention! Among the ways to avoid irritation:
- wearing appropriate clothing – loose-fitting, in lightweight fabric, ideally natural textiles (linen, cotton), worn over clean, moisturised skin;
- wearing a microfibre shorty, thin and with a ‘second skin’ feel, or anti-chafing bands (available in various colours and coated with a light silicone film to prevent any embarrassing slipping);
- using a barrier cream or an anti-chafing balm, which lubricates and softens the skin on the inner thighs;
- along the same lines, applying a natural plant oil, such as coconut oil, which nourishes the skin while lubricating it. Some recommend petroleum jelly, but as it is derived from mineral oils, it is a less advisable option;
- applying talcum powder, ideally unscented, as it has the advantage of absorbing moisture – which is precisely why it is applied to babies’ bottoms (to prevent nappy rash);
- And if, despite your best efforts, chafing has still caused irritation, treatment is essential! Applying an emollient, soothing cream helps calm overheated skin on the thighs. It should be applied daily, to perfectly clean skin. Burn relief creams can also be a great help in easing that burning sensation. Finally, nature has its say: certain natural ingredients can genuinely provide relief. Think of St John’s wort or calendula oil macerates, Aloe Vera gel or hydrosols (lavender, mint).