Thick thighs save lives. #Facts. But we've also learned the hard way what happens when our thighs rub together for too long.
Chafing. That type of pain hits different. I've had times where I've literally had to ice my inner thighs because I wanted to show out in a pair of shorts. But chafing has been an issue for far too long. And we can't let it get in the way of our summer plans… whatever they are.
There are ways we can wear shorts and sundresses without having to suffer the aftermath of chafing. I might be late to the game, but I've found some solutions and wanted to share the wealth.
Anti-Chafing Thigh Bands
I was seriously missing out in life before I knew these babies even existed! This goes to show how major the chafing issue is and how much it needs to be overcome. The best part is that you could still rock your sundresses with no shame. But wait! There's more. There's also a variety of designs you can select like sheer and lace to the classic from Bandelettes and traditional nylon and/or spandex material. They can be found at most major department stores and of course on Amazon. Keep in mind this product isn't designed to work as a shaper, but rather a barrier that can prevent your skin from rubbing together.
Corn Starch + Coconut Oil = Win
From hairstyling to cooking, coconut oil is the multi-purpose ingredient that keeps on giving. And apparently, there's another way we can benefit from it. When paired with corn starch, it can prevent chafing and irritation, especially inside our upper thighs. The plus side is that it gets your thighs moisturized but not all greasy, because who wants to trade in chafing for sweaty and greasy? You can put some on before you head out for your summer festivities or keep the mix in a container to apply as you go throughout your day. Do you boo!
Get Monistat Stat
I will say, some of us have been ashamed to have Monistat in our bags. But between us ladies, we know that it can help us out… and not just for unexpected yeast infections that make us question our entire beings. Monistat actually has a chafing relief powder gel. Basically, it goes on as a gel but dries as a powder. You can put it between those thighs or really anywhere you experience chafing (which is unfortunately any space where your skin rubs together *insert eyeroll here*). It also serves as an extra dose of vitamin E for your skin, which is also a score.
Good Ol' Talcum Powder
Talcum powder can do wonders on its very own. And you might have already heard about the superpower it has to prevent chafing. Talcum powder allows your thighs to block out any extra moisture that causes chafing, like sweat. It keeps that part of your body nice and fresh, so you don't have to worry about itching and irritation when you should be enjoying your summer.
Anti-Chafe Lube
It only makes sense to lean on a product that's designed to prevent chafing. And we all know lube can help reduce uncomfortable friction in more ways than one. Body Glide for Her is one of the most popular products as it moisturizes the skin without leaving it wet or greasy. It's free of mineral oils, petroleum and lanolin but full of healthy vitamins like A, B, E, and F and keep your melanin nice and hydrated. It also features all-day protection, so you don't have to keep on applying it multiple times. Now you can get back to drinking your water, minding your business and flourishing.
All-Natural Products
As you might have guessed, chafing can be prevented with products and ingredients you probably already have in your own home. One mix is turmeric and water that you can apply between your thighs and wash off after 30 minutes. Another is essential oils like tea tree oil and of course coconut oil. And oatmeal isn't only used for the most important meal of the day. It can prevent chafing when you let it soak on your thighs for about 20 minutes. And there you have it!
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In a xoNecoleexclusive, the iconic actress opens up about embracing this season of her life, new projects, and overall being a “bad motherfucker.” Gabrielle reveals that she was 37 years old when she was diagnosed with perimenopause and is still going through it at 51 years old. Mayo Clinic says perimenopause “refers to the time during which your body makes the natural transition to menopause, marking the end of the reproductive years.”
“I haven't crossed over the next phase just yet, but I think part of it is when you hear any form of menopause, you automatically think of your mother or grandmother. It feels like an old-person thing, but for me, I was 37 and like not understanding what that really meant for me. And I don't think we focus so much on the word menopause without understanding that perimenopause is just the time before menopause,” she tells us.
Gabrielle Union
Photo by Brian Thomas
"But you can experience a lot of the same things during that period that people talk about, that they experienced during menopause. So you could get a hot flash, you could get the weight gain, the hair loss, depression, anxiety, like all of it, mental health challenges, all of that can come, you know, at any stage of the menopausal journey and like for me, I've been in perimenopause like 13, 14 years. When you know, most doctors are like, ‘Oh, but it's usually about ten years, and I'm like, ‘Uhh, I’m still going (laughs).’”
Conversations about perimenopause, fibroids, and all the things that are associated with women’s bodies have often been considered taboo and thus not discussed publicly. However, times are changing, and thanks to the Gabrielle’s and the Tia Mowry’s, more women are having an authentic discourse about women’s health. These open discussions lead to the creation of more safe spaces and support for one another.
“I want to be in community with folks. I don't ever want to feel like I'm on an island about anything. So, if I can help create community where we are lacking, I want to be a part of that,” she says. “So, it's like there's no harm in talking about it. You know what I mean? Like, I was a bad motherfucker before perimenopause. I’m a bad motherfucker now, and I'll be a bad motherfucker after menopause. Know what I’m saying? None of that has to change. How I’m a bad motherfucker, I welcome that part of the change. I'm just getting better and stronger and more intelligent, more wise, more patient, more compassionate, more empathetic. All of that is very, very welcomed, and none of it should be scary.”
The Being Mary Jane star hasn’t been shy about her stance on therapy. If you don’t know, here’s a hint: she’s all for it, and she encourages others to try it as well. She likens therapy to dating by suggesting that you keep looking for the right therapist to match your needs. Two other essential keys to her growth are radical transparency and radical acceptance (though she admits she is still working on the latter).
"I was a bad motherfucker before perimenopause. I’m a bad motherfucker now, and I'll be a bad motherfucker after menopause. Know what I’m saying? None of that has to change. How I’m a bad motherfucker, I welcome that part of the change."
Gabrielle Union and Kaavia Union-Wade
Photo by Monica Schipper/Getty Images
“I hope that a.) you recognize that you're not alone. Seek out help and know that it's okay to be honest about what the hell is happening in your life. That's the only way that you know you can get help, and that's also the only other way that people know that you are in need if there's something going on,” she says, “because we have all these big, very wild, high expectations of people, but if they don't know what they're actually dealing with, they're always going to be failing, and you will always be disappointed. So how about just tell the truth, be transparent, and let people know where you are. So they can be of service, they can be compassionate.”
Gabrielle’s transparency is what makes her so relatable, and has so many people root for her. Whether through her TV and film projects, her memoirs, or her social media, the actress has a knack for making you feel like she’s your homegirl. Scrolling through her Instagram, you see the special moments with her family, exciting new business ventures, and jaw-dropping fashion moments. Throughout her life and career, we’ve seen her evolve in a multitude of ways. From producing films to starting a haircare line to marriage and motherhood, her journey is a story of courage and triumph. And right now, in this season, she’s asking, “What’s next?”
“This is a season of discovery and change. In a billion ways,” says the NAACP Image Award winner. “The notion of like, ‘Oh, so and so changed. They got brand new.’ I want you to be brand new. I want me to be brand new. I want us to be always constantly growing, evolving. Having more clarity, moving with different purpose, like, and all of that is for me very, very welcomed."
"I want you to be brand new. I want me to be brand new. I want us to be always constantly growing, evolving. Having more clarity, moving with different purpose, like, and all of that is for me very, very welcomed."
She continues, “So I'm just trying to figure out what's next. You know what I mean? I'm jumping into what's next. I'm excited going into what's next and new. I'm just sort of embracing all of what life has to offer.”
Look out for Gabrielle in the upcoming indie film Riff Raff, which is a crime comedy starring her and Jennifer Coolidge, and she will also produce The Idea of You, which stars Anne Hathaway.
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Feature image by Mike Lawrie/Getty Images
