8 underwear mistakes you absolutely shouldn't be making

We put a lot of thought into our outfits.

But our undies? Not so much, probably because they can't be seen.

But you ought to pay more attention to your undies - the type you wear, and how often, can not only have an impact on your vaginal health, but also your ability to look put together (it's hard to take anyone with a VPL seriously, OK?).

Here are eight underwear mistakes to stop making ASAP.

1. You don't wear cotton undies

It may seem like mesh underwear is more breathable, but it’s not.

Synthetic materials such as polyester hold and trap heat, moisture and bacteria, putting you at greater risk for yeast infections and UTIs.

It’s best to wear underwear made with natural, breathable materials such as cotton or bamboo that absorb and wick moisture away from the skin, especially in humid weather like ours.

3. You don't wear flat seam panties

Nothing kills a fashionable outfit faster than a “VPL” or visible panty line.

Not only are they super annoying, they are also just plain unflattering.

If you want to have a smooth look wearing pants, dresses, and skirts, choose a flat seam underwear.

There are plenty of styles and colours to choose from on the market, made in breathable fabrics like bamboo and cotton.

4. You wear a size too small

Underwear that is too tight can pinch your skin and give you unwanted bulges, not to mention increase your chances of contracting some unhygienic unpleasantness like a UTI or yeast infection because it cuts air circulation to your lady bits.

Put your vanity aside and go a size up when buying underwear, making sure it fits comfortably and doesn’t cause you to keep readjusting throughout the day.

5. You don't hand-wash your panties

Hot water from the washing machine can ruin the stretch of your underwear.

What’s more, panties made with delicate materials such as silk or lace can easily get tangled or torn with zippers, buttons and other hardware from your other clothes.

To extend the life of your underwear, it’s best to hand wash and hang to dry. If you must machine wash, use a gentle cycle and always put them inside a mesh lingerie bag.

6. You only wear thongs

Sure, they’re sexy and a thong may prevent the dreaded visible panty line, but it’s not always the best or healthiest underwear for your nether-regions.

They can cause friction, which leads to bacteria spreading into the uterus and causing a pelvic inflammatory disease.

Bacteria can also move into the bladder, producing a bladder infection.

7. You wear shape-wear all the time

Aside from making dresses hang beautifully on the body, it’s nice how body shapers just tuck away all those wobbly bits and make you look svelte.

But because shape-wear is tight, they decrease circulation and slow down digestion.

High-waisted body shapers also squeeze organs like the intestines, stomach, and colon so ensure you are not wearing these daily or for long periods.

Reserve them for special occasions instead.

8. You don't change your undies after a workout

A lot of moisture and friction occurs in your intimate area during a workout, and the longer your body is exposed to that sort of environment, the higher the chancers of the pH becoming imbalanced, which can lead to a whole host of problems.

Make sure to change to a new pair of undies after you complete every sweat sesh - it doesn’t take much!

This article was first published in CLEO Singapore.