This is a conversation I have CONSTANTLY with riding and running friends. Lady parts aren’t the only sensitive skin we deal with on the bike, and sunburn isn’t the only issue we deal with on the run. Anyone else have some leg chafe/shaving issues? (Hand up!) I find that in the summer, chafe from razor burn during rides and runs becomes more of an issue. So, I wanted to quickly touch on a few points that will hopefully help some of you dealing with the same problem!
First and foremost… a friendly reminder that your hair is your call. If you don’t want to shave, that is 100% cool. It’s a completely personal preference and either way is cool.
Because this is the kind of thing I write about in Saddle, Sore, I kind of knew how to handle it. The same way you’d handle a saddle sore: clean, dry, and leave it the F alone. Here, I wanted to share a few of the other things to try to avoid and prevent chafe, and protect your skin.
Understand chafe is NOT a commentary on your size/self-worth/anything
I’ve talked to some women who feel incredibly self-conscious about chafing because, in their minds, it means they have excess fat and that’s what’s causing it. I get it, because I know I’ve felt this way. Society has us believing that inner thigh chafe is something to be ashamed of, or to feel awkward about. But here’s the thing: It can happen to ANYONE. Size has less than nothing to do with it (and even if size did have something to do with it, we shouldn’t be ashamed of it). Seriously, though. I admit I haven’t talked about this very much because I felt like it meant that my legs were too big. Here’s the deal though. Chafe happens at any size. I have a thigh gap and I STILL have inner thigh chafe after long super sweaty runs. Basically, you’re human and that’s OK.
Take a break from shaving
Anyway… I was having some leg shaving/skin issues on my legs all through December and January, so much so that a sweaty bike ride in tights would leave my calves and thighs covered with angry red bumps that mimicked razor burn. Of course, shaving was also leaving me with razor burn and tons of tiny cuts, so I knew something had to be wrong. I assumed I had some kind of infection or weird skin thing going on. A month later and looking back, I realized what happened. My legs were so freaking dry from a cold few months, and I was shaving them almost daily. No wonder I was having razor issues! But more than that, I was living in leggings when I wasn’t on the bike. That meant that the slightest amount of stubble—those days I simply couldn’t shave because it actually hurt too much—was making things worse, because the tiny stubble was catching on the tight leggings and dragging it in the opposite direction. No wonder I was rash-covered and miserable! Part of the solution was to just give my legs a few days to recover between shaving, even when it was irritating to have stubble on them.
Loose clothing outside of training
I know plenty of you out there are like me and live in leggings when not on the bike, and that’s usually fine. But if you do find yourself in a similar skin position, do yourself a favor: take a couple days away from shaving, and from wearing leggings. Go to boyfriend-cut jeans or sweats, or dresses/shorts if weather allows. It is amazing what a few days of letting skin breathe and not having hair catch on any tight material can do for you.
And start moisturizing!
I use Eucerin Advanced Repair lotion because it’s fragrance free and works on my sensitive skin, but use whatever works for you. Do this at night, I find it’s easier when it doesn’t get in your bike shorts. (Also, hydrate. Moisturize from within!)
Try longer shorts
On the run, I’ve discovered that if I’m having chafe issues, going to a longer “bike short” style is not quite as airy as my preferred shorts, but protects the grumpy skin on my thighs better!
Use a chafe stick
On the ride or run, for inner thigh chafe, a Chafe Stick is going to provide better coverage than chamois cream when applied to inner thighs (for nether regions, stick with regular chamois cream).
Take a day off
The same advice is true of saddle sores—a day of letting your miserably beat-up skin rest and recover, or at least not be stuck in the cycle of constant chafing and pulling.
Consider waxing or sugaring
Typically, I don’t recommend leg waxing to everyone, but if you regularly deal with serious levels of razor burn, it is really worth trying at least once. I’ve found it’s painful day-of, but frankly, I am terrible at shaving and not cutting myself, so I’ve found it works really well for more long-term, and I don’t have issues with razor burn as often when I wax my legs every couple months. It’s a trade-off, for sure, but I’ve found it’s super helpful for me. (I’m also in the process of testing out laser now, will report back!)
Shave smarter, not harder
You know the drill. Make sure skin is soaped up and moisturized before you shave, and that your razor is new and not rusty. Take your time, and be gentle on your skin.
Get professional help
Lastly: if rashes/razor-burn are persistent problems for you, see a dermatologist. You might have folliculitis, which is treatable but may require some more intense prescription creams or even antibiotics. Don’t let it go until you’re absolutely miserable on and off the bike!
Let me know if this is something you deal razor burn while riding, and if so, if you’ve found any other great tips or tricks!
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