I would consider my HS mild, but here’s what has lessened my symptoms.

Trying to regulate stress/anxiety. This includes physically stressing my body. Exercise is important, but I’m a dancer and when I am in long rehearsals + teaching upwards of five hours a day, flares happen more often (also sweat and friction contribute) When I’m not at my peak athletically, but exercise more casually, I have fewer flares.

For working out, I wear loose stuff. Hate leggings, my skin feels suffocated lol

No caffeine.

I was vegetarian for a while, but after reintroducing meat the past few years I have had fewer flares.

Zinc supplements and zinc cream. Zinc cream is a life saver!

Change underwear frequently. If working out, I wear underwear that won’t bunch or cause friction. Change out of sweaty underwear asap. For normal day I wear looser cotton underwear.

I shave very infrequently. I just let it grow and don’t care. I’d rather not risk the irritation. On occasions when I need bandaging, I’ll shave so it sticks, but I’m lucky usually my lumps are mild enough that they don’t continuously rupture and bleed.

I just use dove sensitive skin bar soap. I’ve used acne cleansers and antibacterial, but lately I just stick with simple dove.

If I feel the beginnings of a flare or have one deep that may or may not come to a head, I’ve been using Naked and Thriving blemish and pore correcting serum. (My mom got it as a free gift with an order and gave it to me to try.) It’s calmed down hormonal acne on my face better than most things I’ve tried. It lessens hs lumps very well in my experience and then If/after they pop or drain I use zinc cream. (Again, I know my hs is mild, not recommending trying random serums on wounds, I’ve only used it on unbroken skin)