Choosing Clothes That Support Your Healing, Not Hurt You
Living with Lichen Sclerosus means being more mindful of what touches your skin — and that includes what you wear every day. Clothing choices can either soothe or aggravate your symptoms. The goal is comfort, breathability, and freedom from friction. But dressing with care doesn’t mean giving up on style — it simply means choosing fabrics and fits that prioritise your wellbeing.
Why Clothing Matters for LS
The skin affected by LS is often thin, fragile, and prone to irritation. Tight, synthetic, or poorly ventilated clothing can:
- Increase sweating and moisture retention
- Cause painful rubbing or chafing
- Aggravate inflammation or trigger flare-ups
On the other hand, breathable, soft, and well-fitted clothing can help:
- Keep the vulval area cool and dry
- Reduce pressure on sensitive skin
- Support healing and daily comfort
Best Fabrics for Sensitive Skin
Choose natural, breathable fabrics that allow airflow and wick moisture away:
- Cotton: Ideal for underwear, pyjamas, and everyday wear
- Bamboo: Naturally antibacterial and soft, great for sensitive skin
- Linen: Breathable and light, especially in warm weather
- Modal and Tencel: Plant-based, smooth, and gentle on the skin
Avoid:
- Nylon
- Polyester
- Lace (especially in underwear)
- Synthetic blends that trap heat and moisture
Underwear Tips
- Choose 100% cotton or bamboo briefs
- Opt for full coverage styles that don’t dig into your skin
- Avoid thongs, tight seams, or synthetic gussets
- Change your underwear if it becomes damp with sweat or discharge
- Wash with fragrance-free, non-bio detergent and rinse thoroughly
Bottoms That Work With You
- Look for loose, breathable styles — wide-leg trousers, soft joggers, maxi skirts
- If you wear leggings, make sure they’re made of soft cotton blends and worn with moisture-wicking underwear
- Avoid high-rise styles that press into the vulval area
- Go up a size if needed — comfort matters more than labels
Sleepwear and Loungewear
- Choose breathable pyjamas or nightgowns
- Consider sleeping without underwear to allow airflow and reduce moisture
- Keep your bedding clean and cool — natural fibre sheets like cotton or bamboo can make a difference
During a Flare-Up
- Go commando at home to reduce friction
- Stick to loose, lightweight dresses or kaftans
- Avoid any tight waistbands or seams near the vulva
Your Style, Your Comfort
It’s possible to feel stylish and confident while still honouring your body’s needs. There’s no shame in prioritising comfort — in fact, it’s an act of self-respect. And with growing awareness, more brands are now offering inclusive, skin-friendly fashion options.
A Final Word on Choice
You get to decide what feels good. Some days you might wear something flowy and soft. Other days, you may want the structure of jeans or workout wear — and that’s okay too. What matters is listening to your body and adjusting as needed.
In the next chapter, we’ll discuss movement — how to stay active and enjoy exercise without aggravating symptoms.
Chapter 24: Yes, You Can Still Move – Exercising with LS Safely
4.97/5 from 1221 reviews
Dr. Shirin is a fully-trained and highly-experienced aesthetic physician, who works diligently to ensure a 5 star quality service, and brings an honest and ethical approach to every one of our clients. With over 20 years of experience in the medical field, including several years as a GP and a sub-speciality in anaesthetics, Dr. Shirin is fascinated by the harmony between medicine and aesthetics, and with her expertise, Elite Aesthetics is able to offer effective, doctor-led treatments to vastly improve the lives of our clients.
To find out more about how we’ve put a smile on customers faces in the past, read our testimonials below for first-hand accounts of a variety of our treatments. You can also find out more about what we think at Elite on our blog, as well as reading more about what the press says about us. Our delighted clients hail from areas including Greenhithe, Dartford, Gravesend, Bromley, Maidstone, Sevenoaks, and West Malling – as well as from further afield.
Had a consultation with Elite yesterday, I must say I was a bit nervous, but Dr Shirin was so friendly and helpful.
I was given lots of advice and was given treatment options that were within my budget.
A few weeks after the P Shot I've really started to see a difference and have gained my confidence back.
Thank You!
Elite is an outstanding professional clinic with high standard treatments. All the staff members are friendly and offer you honest opinions when it comes to products and treatments. This is a welcoming clinic that I can 100% recommend. Treatments are spoken through and explained in detail, also aftercare. I have been going nearly a year now and am happy with all the treatments I’ve had, wouldn't go anywhere else. The Bocox treatment started to work within a few days, which I was surprised about. So glad I went to Elite for treatment.
Thank you Dr Shirin, the O Shot has really helped me with my Lichen Sclerosus. I'd heard about the treatment on the LS Facebook Groups and message a few people that had treatment with Dr Shirin. I was like many in the group who had run out of treatment options and using creams on a daily basis. I have to say a few months after treatment, I can see a real positive change and I'm hoping my LS will continue to improve. Dr Shirin did say that I might have to have a second treatment given how severe my case is.
A great discovery in the neighbourhood ! There is no need to go up to London for a beauty treatment of any kind. You'll find a whole range of different treatments suiting all age groups and concerns. Welcoming, reassuring, friendly, professional, high tech. I shall be back for more. I love the results of the Thread Lift I had.
Great service as always, skin is glowing very happy
Very happy with the result of my recent visit. For sure will continue with Elite in future
I have been very happy with the care and attention you have received from Dr Shirin.. I would definitely recommend Elite to my family and friends.
Dr Shirins professional approach fills you with confidence. The clinic is modern and efficiently run. They certainly do their utmost to help and advise their clients. I am 100% satisfied that I made the right decision in choosing Elite Aesthetics !
thank you again for my follow up appointment to make sure i was ok and there was no life changing affects from the mess I had done else where how a midwife and beautician can inject and leave customers the way they did is unreal the mess my lips where in and the amount of lumps left was so bad and although there still not perfect Dr shirin managed to massage a lot of the lumps out so not only has she done my previous practitioners job with that but she also cares about the wellbeing of her customers I just wish I had got to Dr shirin to start with con not thank her enough
Great clinic, lovely, clean and modern. Charlotte was excellent, knowledgeable about the treatment whilst also friendly. The facial itself was very enjoyable and my skin looks and feels tighter and smoother. If highly recommend.
- Accreditations
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We have extensive knowledge and experience in the medical and aesthetics industries, but we know that above all, the results matter! All of our treatments are vigorously tested in-house before we offer them to our clients to ensure they are safe, effective and will give you, our wonderful clients, the results you want. Your happiness, well-being and satisfaction are at the very core of everything we do here at Elite Aesthetics, and as a result we will never over-treat or carry out a procedure that Dr. Shirin, deems inappropriate or unsafe. Ethical treatment guides our practice, and we aim to become an industry leader in this respect. This means you can always feel confident that you are in safe hands when you choose Elite Aesthetics.
Our practice is led by our founder, Dr. Shirin Lakhani, who is an advocate for greater regulation in the aesthetics industry. Dr. Shirin and Elite Aesthetics believe greater regulation is vital to the development of aesthetics industry as a whole, and as such, our clinic’s philosophy is based on providing doctor-led care to the highest, medically approved standards. We adhere to stringent ethical and medical principles ensuring all the procedures we offer are safe and effective. Dr. Shirin is also fully registered with the GMC (reference number 4634863), and Elite Aesthetics is CQC (Care Quality Commission) Registered, an endorsement recognised by the UK Government, The Department of Health and NHS England.
Elite Aesthetics has been awarded PDO Thread Lift Certification by MINT Threads.
