For many people, swimsuit shopping is simply another part of preparing for summer vacations, beach days, or afternoons at the pool. But if you live with hidradenitis suppurativa (HS), the experience can feel anything but simple.
HS is a chronic inflammatory skin condition that causes painful nodules, abscesses, tunnels beneath the skin, drainage, and scarring. The disease most commonly affects areas where skin rubs together, including the underarms, groin, buttocks, inner thighs, under the breasts, and around the bikini line—precisely the areas many swimsuits expose.
According to the Hidradenitis Suppurativa Foundation, HS affects an estimated one to four percent of the population and can significantly impact quality of life. Research from the American Academy of Dermatology (AAD) has shown that HS can negatively affect body image, self-esteem, and participation in social activities, leading people to skip swimming altogether.
But having HS doesn’t mean you have to give up enjoying the water. With thoughtful swimsuit choices, practical skin-care strategies, and a little preparation, you can make summer activities much more comfortable—and feel more confident while doing them.
Here are several tips to help you find a swimsuit that works with your skin instead of against it.
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When shopping for a swimsuit, it’s easy to focus on style first, but with HS, comfort deserves equal attention. Many trendy swimsuits feature tight elastic bands, high-cut leg openings, underwire, thick seams, or compressive materials that can increase friction in areas already prone to painful flare-ups.
Instead, look for swimsuits that minimize rubbing and allow your skin to move comfortably.
Experts from HSDisease recommend choosing styles that reduce pressure on affected areas and avoid anything that feels restrictive or digs into the skin. A swimsuit that feels comfortable in the dressing room is much more likely to stay comfortable after several hours of walking, sitting, swimming, and drying off.
Fabric makes a bigger difference than many people realize. While nearly all swimsuits contain synthetic materials for stretch, some fabrics feel softer against sensitive skin than others.
Look for:
Choosing quick-drying fabrics may help reduce prolonged moisture and friction after swimming. The American Academy of Dermatology recommends minimizing friction and moisture in HS-affected areas whenever possible.
Many people assume tighter swimsuits provide better support, but with HS, tighter isn’t always better. A swimsuit that’s too snug can create constant pressure and friction around the underarms, groin, thighs, or beneath the breasts, increasing discomfort and potentially contributing to flare-ups.
On the other hand, overly loose swimsuits may bunch up and cause friction as you move. Aim for a fit that feels supportive without squeezing.
Some people with HS find that:
Everyone’s HS affects different areas, so don’t hesitate to try multiple styles before finding what feels best for your body.
Chafing can quickly turn an enjoyable day into a painful one. Skin-on-skin friction, combined with heat, sweat, and movement, often aggravates HS lesions. Before heading to the pool or beach, consider using products designed to reduce friction.
Many people with HS report success using:
The HS Foundation also encourages patients to identify personal friction triggers and work with their dermatologists to develop preventive strategies. If you’re spending the entire day outdoors, remember to reapply anti-chafing products after swimming if recommended by the manufacturer.
HS often leaves behind scars, dark spots, and changes in skin texture.
For many Black people living with HS, flare-ups may also leave behind dark spots (post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation) that can linger long after lesions have healed. These changes in skin tone can be just as frustrating as scarring and may influence how much coverage someone feels comfortable wearing.
Some people proudly wear their scars without concern, while others prefer more coverage—and both choices are equally valid.
If additional coverage helps you feel more comfortable, consider:
These options can protect you from both sun exposure and unwanted attention. It’s important to remember that scar coverage is a personal choice—not a requirement.
Your scars tell a story of living with a chronic medical condition, and whether you choose to show them or cover them, your comfort matters most.
Packing strategically can make managing HS much easier during a day away from home.
Your beach bag can include:
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) also recommends showering after swimming whenever possible to remove chlorine, saltwater, and bacteria from the skin. Changing out of a wet swimsuit promptly can also reduce prolonged moisture that may irritate sensitive skin.
There may be times when swimming simply doesn’t feel comfortable—and that’s okay. If you’re experiencing an active flare with open wounds, drainage, or severe pain, modifying your plans may be the kindest choice for your body.
Instead of spending hours in the water, you might enjoy relaxing in the shade, reading by the pool, taking a short walk, visiting the beach once the sun goes down, and enjoying outdoor dining with friends.
Living well with HS doesn’t require pushing through pain. Self-care sometimes means choosing rest over discomfort. If you’re unsure whether swimming is appropriate during a flare, ask your dermatologist for personalized guidance.
One of the most encouraging sources of advice is often people who truly understand the condition.
Members of the HS community frequently share these practical tips:
On HSDisease, many patients describe how swimming can actually feel soothing during periods when lesions aren’t actively draining, particularly because water can reduce pressure on painful areas. Everyone’s experience is different, but hearing from others with HS can provide reassurance that you’re not alone.
Perhaps the hardest part of swimsuit season isn’t finding the right swimsuit. It’s believing you deserve to wear one.
You may worry that people notice your scars or wonder whether you belong at the beach. The truth is that most people are focused on enjoying their own day—not examining someone else’s skin. And if someone does notice your scars, you don’t owe anyone an explanation.
Confidence isn’t about pretending HS doesn’t exist. Confidence is recognizing that your condition does not determine your worth. Your body has carried you through pain, surgeries, treatments, and flare-ups. It deserves sunshine. It deserves vacations. It deserves joyful memories. And it deserves to experience summer just like everyone else.
Swimsuit shopping with hidradenitis suppurativa may require more planning, but it doesn’t have to keep you from enjoying pools, beaches, cruises, or summer vacations. Choosing soft fabrics, reducing friction, finding supportive fits, packing skin-friendly essentials, and permitting yourself to prioritize comfort can make a meaningful difference.
Most importantly, remember that there is no “perfect” swimsuit for HS—only the one that helps you feel your most comfortable and confident. Whether you prefer a bikini, one-piece, swim dress, rash guard, or board shorts, the goal isn’t meeting someone else’s expectations. The goal is creating memories without letting HS decide where you can—or can’t—go.
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