Avoiding Silk Burns: a Hot Topic

Why We Burn

Why do we burn, anyway? Well, it surely isn’t rocket science – it’s friction! Some friction is good, and helps us maintain our position on the fabric. But, friction has an evil stepsister – HEAT. Sometimes, this heat is barely noticeable; other times, you generate enough heat to actually burn your skin and melt your clothing! Sexy welts, oozing sores, and leperosy open sores are the result.

When you factor in higher temperatures and rising humidity in summer (which, predictably, increase friction), you can really do some damage! I once had to go to the ER to have my costume debrided from the back of my knee – it melted right into my skin after a (particularly epic) slack drop! It really, really hurt, and I still have a scar.

When It’s Not a Burn

When is a burn not a burn? When it’s an abrasion! When the humidity rises, there’s more fun to be had. The silks can scour the skin, resulting in an uneven rash-like boo-boo which scabs over quickly, but is often very sore until it heals. We most often find abrasions on shoulders, lower back, and thighs (again, did I mention how sexy this is?).

OK, Ms Laura, How do we Prevent Them?

Oh, you’re gonna hate my answer: long leggings, long sleeves, and unitards; essentially going “aerial Amish”. We most often burn on the lower back or sides, behind the knee, and the dreaded armpit burn (can we all agree that those are the worst?).

Don’t worry – I’m not suggesting that you don a chunky wool sweater in July, but protective clothing and smart choices go a loooooooong way towards keeping you intact.

• Thick leggings that come all the way to the ankle make a world of difference. Start there.
• Unitards or leotards won’t ride up, and are your best defense against lower back and side burns.
• A long-sleeved t shirt or shrug will help you avoid armpit trauma, and you can take them on and off as needed.
• In very hot or humid weather, you’ll want to hold off on some of the moves that are almost guaranteed to leave skin on the fabric.
• All covered up and still getting fried? Try wearing a different fabric blend. Synthetics will often heat up more than thick cotton, so it may be as simple as swapping out your britches.

 First Aid for Your Burned Bod

You want to keep your ouchie moist and covered to help it heal faster, and reduce the risk of scarring and infection. My first pick is Burts Bees Res-Q Ointment – it’s got all sorts of good things in there that will heal you up nice and quick. Aquaphor, Tattoo Goo, and Hustle Butter can work well also. If the burn is very bad, colloidal silver/Silvadene might be a better choice. I don’t love antibiotic ointments because neomycin is a very common allergen – you probably don’t need it unless your burn gets infected (or is likely to). Medical tape and a light layer of gauze will keep your clothing from rubbing against them. Baby the area until it’s all healed up, and you should be right as rain. Believe it or not, high traffic areas will often toughen up over time, and you won’t get quite so much fabric love. Love and pull-ups, Laura

What’s your go-to burn remedy? Share in the comments below!