Did you know that the average bra size in the United States is 34DD? However, the problem that many women have is that they have no idea what their actual bra size is. They might think they wear one size but they would actually be better off wearing another.
This is one of the many problems women face when it comes to sports bra chafing. Of course, the last thing you want to deal with when you're trying to get fit is bra chafing. Chafing can not only be uncomfortable but even painful, especially if you have sensitive skin.
There are a few things you can do to make sure you don't experience this issue ever again. But where should you start if you want to stop bra chafing for good? Keep reading and learn more about your solutions with this bra chafing guide.
Make Sure You’re Wearing the Correct Bra Size
You might be surprised at how wearing the wrong bra size can make all the difference when it comes to sports bra chafing. Many women think that bra sizing isn't all that important when it comes to sports bras. After all, these bras are very stretchy and seem to be able to fit a wide variety of breast sizes.
However, choosing the wrong size when it comes to sports bras will manifest in the form of chafing. For example, suppose that your sports bra is too tight. While this will strap down your chest while running or jogging, it won't feel all that great.
You might find that the straps will start to dig into your shoulders and create rug burn on your skin. The same might happen to the bra band, or the bra band might even try to ride up your torso. These problems, of course, are not ideal when you're trying to focus on things other than your bra fit.
What You Need to Know
On the other hand, if your bra is too large, you will have other problems to deal with. For example, a sports bra that is too large will have a band that shifts all over the place. This can give you some serious chafing on your ribs and under your breasts.
The same kind of chafing can occur on your breasts if the cup size of the bra doesn't fit in the right fashion. Finally, a bra that is too big for you will likely have shoulder straps that are too loose as well. As a result, you will have to keep adjusting your bra straps which, of course, is not a very attractive look.
Fortunately, you can avoid all of these problems as long as you choose the right bra size in the first place. If you are not sure about your real bra size, try measuring yourself and try on a few different sizes of sports bras to see which one fits the best for your body. Getting yourself professionally measured will make sure that you find the perfect bra size for you.
But what if you have already found your perfect bra size and are still experiencing chafing with your sports bra?
Wear the Correct Sports Bra Style
If you want to prevent bra chafing once and for all, you'll need to make sure that you're wearing not only the right sports bra size but also the right sports bra style. Again, many women don't realize that the style of sports bras can make quite a difference. The two main styles are the underwire sports bra and the wireless sports bra.
Most bras traditionally have an underwire. Underwires are lifesavers when it comes to support and lift. You will find that bras that don't have underwires tend to make one's bust look droopy and somewhat squashed. This is especially true for sports bras since they are designed to fit tightly.
If your bust is on the larger side, an underwire may be necessary for your sports bra. Without one, the bra may not have enough strength and structure to support your breasts. However, underwires have a reputation for being notoriously uncomfortable.
Underwires are usually made out of steel, and they tend to not be very flexible. As you can imagine, running with a couple of metal hoops under your breasts is not the most comfortable thing in the world. This can easily lead to chafing, especially if the underwire doesn't fit well against your ribs and instead ends up digging into your skin.
The Details
If your bust is on the smaller side, you should be able to get away with a wireless bra. A wireless bra is naturally more flexible and comfortable. Without the underwire, there will be fewer obstacles in the bra itself that might cause chafing.
However, you should keep in mind that a wireless bra may not have the support you're looking for from a sports bra. Of course, underwire sports bras don't always cause chafing. If you manage to find an underwire sports bra that fits you very well, you might not have a chafing problem at all.
It all depends on how your sports bra fits you and how you want it to fit. For that reason, it might be a good idea to experiment with different underwire and wireless bras to see which one is most comfortable for you and which prevents chafing the most. But what if all of this fails?
What if you have a sports bra that fits you perfectly in every way but it still is causing you chafing? Fortunately, this isn't a sign that you should give up on wearing sports bras altogether. There is still one more thing you can try that should stop chafing in its tracks: anti-chafe products.
Choose the Right Anti-chafe Products
Anti-chafe products come in many different forms such as balms, butters, salves, and more. The point of anti-chafe products is that they are designed to protect your skin so that the object doing the chafing (your sports bra) should no longer be able to chafe against your skin. This is possible because most anti-chafe products are made from slick and smooth substances such as coconut oil.
However, keep in mind that you shouldn't settle for any old anti-chafe products. Some anti-chafe products can actually make your problem much worse. This is because some products contain chemicals and other harmful ingredients that could irritate your skin even more than it already is.
This is especially true if you have sensitive skin. For that reason, you'll want to double-check the ingredients when buying anti-chafe products. You should always opt for products that are all-natural and don't have any strange or harmful ingredients.
Products that contain coconut oil or cocoa butter are ideal. That's because these substances are very thick, soothing, and moisturizing. When you put them on your skin, your skin will immediately be covered in a protective barrier.
This barrier will make it so your sports bra will sit better on your skin, and if it does shift around, it will simply glide over your skin rather than rubbing against it and causing a rash.
All About Anti-Chafe Products
Beeswax is another very thick yet smooth substance that can create a very useful barrier on your skin. Beeswax in combination with butters and oils will make it so your sports bra chafing is a problem of the past. Using these products is easy as well.
All you need to do is make sure the balm is soft enough to apply. If you store this product in a cold place, it may harden. To fix this problem, scoop up some of the balm or salve and hold it in your hand for a few moments.
The warmth of your hand will also warm the salve and make it soft enough to use. Simply slather the balm over the area in which your bra usually chafes you. If your skin is especially dry or irritated, make sure to apply more of the balm in those areas.
Once the salve sits for a while, it will soon start to work its magic. Not only will it soothe the chafed areas of your body but it will also make wearing your sports bra much more comfortable. Instead of wincing at the discomfort of your bra every time you move, you will be able to focus on more important matters.
If you find that the balm is starting to wear off, you can apply more. You can reapply your anti-chafe product virtually as often as you want. A good anti-chafe product should last you a long time, so you won't have to worry about it going to waste.
Everything You Need to Know About Bra Chafing
Bra chafing can be an annoying problem, but you don't have to deal with it forever. If your sports bra is chafing, all you need to do is check the size and style of your bra. If that doesn't work, try some anti-chafe products.
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