Why do my thighs sting, and why do I have blackheads? Not to worry – it’s completely normal! Most likely, it’s just chafing, and oftentimes, the blackheads are not related to hygiene! So, you don’t have to scrub them relentlessly. Also, if you have darker pigmentation between your thighs, there’s nothing wrong with that. Most of the time, it’s just increased pigment as a result of friction. And if it’s not coupled with irritation, it’s just normal skin!
What is chafing?
Any instance your skin rubs together can cause chafing, and it can happen regardless of hygiene and body shape. Chafing can also happen on the bust area, the armpit, folds in the skin, the neck, and the thighs (etc.). Chafing is more common in hot weather due to sweating. When sweat sits on the skin, it can actually irritate and impair the skin barrier, causing irritation, redness, stinging, and even welts.
How to prevent irritation from sweating
It’s best to stay cool and dry. Moreover, it’s also important to change out of sweaty clothing. You can also wear sweat-resistant clothing and shorts under a skirt. Remaining in sweaty clothing can cause bacteria to harbor, which further aggravates the skin. It can also lead to folliculitis or inflamed hair follicles.
Change out of sweaty clothes.
To begin with, sweat on the surface of the skin is irritating. Sweat can also impair the skin barrier, and that’s when you’ll start to get chafing and irritation. Sweat is an irritant that can further break down the skin barrier, cause rashes, and irritation. So, try to stay cool and dry and avoid sitting in sweaty clothing. This can harbor bacteria, further aggravate the skin, and even lead to folliculitis or inflamed hair follicles.
Grab a fan.
Fanning areas such as the inner thigh or the bust area can be very helpful. Fans dry off the area, cool the area, calm the skin, and lessen irritation. So, buying a hand-held fan could definitely be a plus.
Powders
Powders absorb sweat too, but you’ll want to make sure to apply it before going outside. If you put it on top of sweaty skin, it can clump up, clog the pores, and further irritate the skin. Talc-free powders might work best as well.
Aluminum hexahydrate, a medical-grade anti-perspirant, can also help with excessive sweating and chafing in the armpits.
Seeing a dermatologist for a consultation on Botox and other treatments
Botox can also be prescribed for hyperhidrosis, which is excessive sweating and a common cause of chafing. However, Botox injections can also reduce the amount of sweat. There’s also glycopyrrolate, which is an oral medication that can reduce the amount of sweat the body excretes
Not shaving or doing hair removal
Many people don’t see body hair as the best cosmetic option, but hair reduces friction, which reduces the likelihood of chafing. Not shaving is an all-around effective tip for reducing skin irritation because it also increases your chance of getting ingrown hair too. Body oils also reduce friction.
Trader Joe's SPA 100% Pure Jojoba Oil - $13.25
Jojoba oil mimics the skin’s natural oils, and it is not known to be pore-clogging.
Nevertheless, body oils might not be advantageous if you’re concerned about blackheads. Body oils and moisture can also irritate the skin if you put it over a chafing patch and the friction continues. It’s better to put it on chafed skin when you’re resting or stationary and after bathing.
Why do I have blackheads between my thighs?
There’s actually something called acne mechanica. Blackheads on the thighs and body can be the result of dead skin and oil getting trapped against the skin.
Friction and pressure can also obstruct your pores and lead to a buildup of sebum (oil), sweat, and bacteria. That’s why you might be seeing blackheads, especially on areas that might be rubbing together like your inner thighs. The blackheads are a natural result of friction rubbing, and they do not always accompany chafed, irritated patches.
What gets rid of blackheads between the thighs?
Salicylic Acid after bathing for blackheads – not necessarily irritated, chafed skin
Paulas Choice 2% BHA Liquid Salicylic Acid Exfoliant
You’ll want to apply salicylic to dry skin or just damp skin since salicylic acid is oil soluble. Its oil solubility is also what enables it to dissolve oil in pores. Moreover, it breaks the bonds between dead skin cells allowing them to slough off. Salicylic is also bactericidal. So, it can kill bacteria and calm the skin.
On the other hand, if the area is irritated from chafing, you’ll want to wait until the irritation has been resolved before applying salicylic acid. As the skin barrier is already compromised from chafing, avoid exfoliants and apply barrier-boosting, soothing ingredients such as ceramides, peptides, centella asiatica, oat, or madecassoside.
Showering with a hydrating soap that has exfoliating ingredients
The Silkshake Probiotic Cleanser -$25
You don’t have to scrub the skin abrasively if you want to exfoliate. And once again, if you have extra pigment between your thighs, it has nothing to do with hygiene. It’s just pigment, and it’s completely natural.
Independent of this, using a nourishing, hydrating soap with AHAs, a water-soluble exfoliant, can boost your skincare routine by gently exfoliating the skin. Dryness and scrubbing the skin can irritate and increase the likelihood of chafing.
Applying a soothing gel to the skin after bathing.
Mixsoon - Glacier Water Ice Soothing Gel
You can apply a soothing gel to the skin after showering to calm and hydrate the skin. Calming the skin can prevent blackheads, prevent chafing, and soothe chafing. You could even use a shaving gel as a spot treatment!
Cover photo cred: Pinterest Ty