How hot has it gotten lately? While we love our all-year-long tropical climate, soaring temperatures can only mean one thing – sweat, and of all kinds! No matter where it is on your body, sweat is very unpleasant and uncomfortable. But when it gets trapped where you least want it to, especially on your breasts, it’s a bigger deal and dilemma to solve! Fortunately, we’re here to rescue you from this sticky situation.
Keep scrolling as we uncover all that is to know about boob sweat and how to literally – stop sweating it!
Boob Sweat 101: Why does it even happen to me?
Sweating is a normal biological response, no matter how awkward it makes us feel. It’s one of the ways how our bodies eliminate dirt and toxins. Plus, it helps regulate our body temperature during the summer heat or an intense gym day. Whenever your brain detects your internal temperature rises, it signals your sweat glands to release sweat. This helps moisturise the surface of your skin and cool down your body to maintain its average temperature.
However, boob sweat doesn’t necessarily happen because your breasts sweat more than the rest of your body, oh no. It’s primarily because of the moisture trapped between the skin of your breast and torso. Since this skin tends to hang and fold on itself, it leaves less air to evaporate the sweat. This traps a lot of moisture, which also causes irritation, chafing, and that unpleasant smell on your chest area.
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How can I prevent or at least reduce boob sweat?
There’s no way to completely stop your breasts from sweating. However, there are lifestyle changes you can adapt to help reduce or at least prevent them from being too drastic. Here are some:
Go bra-less.
If you’re fed up seeing that sweat stain all over your bras, just ditch them! This allows for better airflow, which prevents moisture from building up under your chest. Consider wearing nipple tapes or boob tapes as well since they offer coverage with better breathability.
…Or just switch up the way you wear your bras.
If going bra-less is not your thing, it’s okay; switch up the bras you wear! Avoid wearing skin-tight bras as they create the perfect humid environment in which moisture thrives. Also, check the material of your bras; they should be light and comfortable so your chest has breathing room. If you’re hitting the gym, opt for sweat-wicking materials like polyester or polypropylene. These materials do not stick to your skin, especially if you tend to sweat a lot while working out.
Use cotton inserts on your bras.
Cotton is an excellent material for absorbing moisture, so try adding some cotton bra liners. These soak up sweat under your chest like a gem, keeping you cool throughout the day. A tip: don’t forget to wash them after every use since all that moisture fosters bacteria.
Check your diet.
Did you know that the food and drinks you consume can also affect how much sweat your body produces? If you love drinking alcohol and caffeine and eating spicy and sulphur-rich food like cabbage, it’s time to cut down. These spike up your sweat production and cause you to smell, so it’s a no-go.
Wear lighter-coloured clothes.
Sure, dark fabrics mask the dark sweat stains, but they absorb so much heat too! All that heat then transfers to your body, making you sweat more. Stick to wearing lighter-coloured clothes, especially white, as they reflect heat.
Make note of these tips, and watch as your sweat dissolves to where it belongs – not under that boob!
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