Shapewear is definitely becoming a must-have in wardrobes! Although it’s mainly preferred by women, there has recently been an increasing demand for men’s shapewear as well.
What exactly is shapewear?
Shapewear is an undergarment used to eliminate undesirable excess of lumps of fat that are commonly found in particular areas such as waist or simply tummy, hips and thighs… These garments will make you appear slimmer and get that ‘hourglass’ body shape that everyone wants with a plus that it can also help improve your posture.
How does it work?
It’s simply sucks it all in! Funny to hear, but it’s true. We all know that losing weight or better said…being on diet with incorporated exercises, is not easy at all, especially on women bodies. Shapewear can help with that! It will boost your confidence and motivation just simply by wearing them.
There are many different types of shapewear in the market, and for different parts of the body, so the best one for you will depend on your goals.
“Is shapewear bad for you?”
Like most things in life, if used inappropriately it can lead to disadvantages. The good news is most of these can be easily overcome! Let’s go through some important points together.
Shapewear shouldn’t be worn too tight, that’s why it is very important to pick the right size. If the shapewear that you choose is too compact, you may experience paralysis-like feelings in the squeezed area that could also promote acid reflux, or if the shapewear that you are wearing is too tight in the middle area of your body it can upset your stomach. Don’t forget that tight clothes can also cause poor blood circulations, especially in the lower area, therefore opt to get a larger size. So, when purchasing the desired shapewear, make sure to use the size chart that the seller provides.
Another important concern about wearing shapewear is skin irritations. This is probably the most common one because it’s caused by many factors. For example, if your skin doesn’t feel comfortable with the fabric of the shapewear of your choice, you will have to get rid of it and pick a new one! But why can our skin get irritated? Maybe your skin is too sensitive, or you wear it for too long… both of these reasons are actually valid. If your skin starts to get red and itchy, make sure to take a break from it and let your skin return to normal, as in extreme cases it could lead to skin infections (such as Eczema, Ringworm or Psoriasis)
When wearing shapewear like a waist trainer during your daily exercises, it’s important to remember to stay hydrated by drinking loads of water, especially if the garment that you are wearing is made of synthetic material as this can increase sweating. Too much sweating can mean feeling hot, uncomfortable and wet, and that can bring an itchy feeling to your skin, especially if the size of the shapewear you’re wearing is too tight. Not to mention, as most of the fabric of shapewears in the market nowadays aren’t made of cotton, your sweat can damage these garments, thus washing it straight away after every use, is essential. If your worried about having dry skin try to use a moisturizer before putting on your shapewear, this can help with itchy problems!
How to avoid skin irritations?
Skin irritations mainly occurs in people with sensitive skin, but there are few things you can do to avoid it.
For example, if you are latex sensitive go for shapewears made with latex-free fabrics, there are so many in the market!
Avoid polyester, vinyl or nylon… Instead try to choose sport mesh, cotton, silk or any other material that will help your skin to breath.
Moisturizing your skin with a good moisturizer is the key!
Make sure you are wearing a clean shapewear (especially if it’s a waist trainer).
So… Is shapewear good for you?
It is indeed!
Shapewear will slimmer your appearance and, boost your confidence instantly! This could be just the motivation you need to keep going towards your fitness goals.
Another great added benefit is that it can help with posture problems, who wouldn’t want that?
Although there are many pros and cons when wearing shapewear, many of the cons can be easily solved – get the right size, don’t wear it for too long, keep it clean and observe your skin!
