If you feel you must use machines, place your binder in a garment bag, wash on the cold, delicate setting, and put in the dryer on the lowest setting for no more than 15 minutes. When it's time to get a new binder, you'll probably already know: It will have lost its shape, begun to fray, have developed bubbles or gaps, or otherwise just not work as it once did.
This can occur from anywhere between six months to several years, depending on how often the binder is used and how it is cared for.
If you want to try binding with tape, try TransTape or KT tape. Both use medical-grade adhesives that are safe for skin. KT tape is an accessible option in particular, as it can be found at many grocery stores and pharmacies. To use it, you first need to cover your nipples with some fabric scraps or even a folded up piece of paper towel, as you never want to tape directly over them. Then, you can maneuver the tape in such a way that your breasts are taped down by your armpits. You can also minimize the appearance of breasts without any binding.
Glick recommends layering shirts, especially ones that are structured and made of heavier material. Some people also find unbuttoned or unzipped shirts or jackets to be helpful in creating the appearance of a flatter chest. Binders can be a variety of colors and styles, worn on their own or under clothes, and most importantly, are a way to express one's gender identity.
GC2B is a trans-owned company based out of Maryland. Founder Marli Washington created the first binders that were designed and patented specifically for gender-affirming chest binding.
Flavnt's binders are made in a variety of colors to match a variety of skin tones to ease dysphoria. Co-owners Courtney and Chris Rhodes founded Flavnt Streetwear, a queer clothing brand, with the belief that everyone should be able to own clothes that make them feel comfortable and confident in their own skin.
An important part of its offerings: its Bareskin binders. The brand has a whole page on binder safety, tips and tricks, and sizing so check that out before purchasing. Shapeshifters sells binders that are fantastical designs and patterns, alongside your typical solid-colored binders. Some people bind only for special occasions, others every day. One study surveying people who bind reported that the average person bound their chest for around 10 hours per day, with the most popular methods being commercial chest binders, followed by sports bras, shirt or bra layering, and bandages or elastic materials 2.
Like many things people do to modify their outward appearance wearing high heels, or shaving facial hair , chest binding comes with some risks. Binding can affect skin, muscles, and movement, particularly over long periods of time. Two studies have been completed that focus specifically on people who bind.
They were cross-sectional studies , observing a specific population people who chest bind at a specific point in time, and were published in and Both of these studies are based on data from 1, responders to an online survey. However, a lot of people feel better mentally and emotionally when they bind.
According to these studies, chest binding helps people decrease their gender dysphoria, as well as feelings of anxiety or suicidality, while increasing feelings of confidence in public and self-esteem 2.
People who bind their chest more frequently every day are more likely to experience negative symptoms. For this reason, taking days off between binding may help decrease this risk. Long term binding over years was also more likely to be associated with negative symptoms, particularly skin, tissues, and musculoskeletal problems 2.
People with larger breasts were more likely to experience skin and soft tissue issues 2. One study showed that people who used commercial binders experienced increased risk for the highest number of negative symptoms from binding, followed by those who used bandages, and plastic wrap or duct tape 2. The high amount of negative effects found from commercial binders in this study were a surprise to the researchers, since blogs and other informal resources dedicated to trans men and healthy binding often recommend commercial binders 2,4.
This could be due to people wearing binders that are too small, wearing them for longer periods, or wearing more than one at a time.
Chest binding is for anyone who wants to flatten or minimize the appearance of their chest, either occasionally or regularly. Commercial chest binders and compression tops come in a wide variety of designs and colors, but typically fall into one of the following three categories:. In order to measure your chest for a commercial chest binder or compression top, find a flexible measuring tape. First, place the flexible measuring tape or string against your bare chest and wrap it all the way around.
Next, measure the distance between your shoulders, point to point instead of all the way around. Pay special attention to the measurement that reflects the widest point on the chest.
A decade ago, there might have only been a handful of companies that manufactured tapes and garments specifically for flattening the chest. There are a number of other online stores — like Amazon , FTM Essentials , and Transguy Supply — that carry more than one brand and style.
The Binder Drive , for example, gives free binders to Black trans and nonbinary people in the United States. This will allow you to take note of any pain, itching, or other irritation before you move forward with a full application.
Begin by covering the nipple with soft gauze or tissue to protect this sensitive area from the tape adhesive. When applying the strips, press your chest tissue down and toward your armpits.
This will allow you to place the tape with the tension needed to hold the tissue in this downward position. After the strips are placed, rub the tape to activate the adhesive.
Kinetic tapes can be worn for up to 4 to 5 days. This will help the tape peel off more gently and minimize potential irritation. The easiest way to use a commercial binder or compression top is to put it on inside out and upside down.
Good starting question, glad you asked! Binding is a technique used to minimize the appearance of a person's breasts. Some transgender men or gender-nonconforming individuals use binders compression undergarments that look like spandex-y T-shirts to bind the breasts to the body, creating a flatter chest. A typical binder is not only very tight but usually made of durable nylon and spandex — making them notoriously uncomfortable to wear. BuzzFeed News reached out to two individuals to get the dos and don'ts of binding.
Dane Menkin is a certified registered nurse practitioner and clinician at the Mazzoni Center in Philadelphia. Elijah Renard is a Canadian video game designer who has been binding for over three years and was happy to provide tips from personal experience. Although there are risks, binding is considered safe if done carefully and responsibly.
Binding with "DIY" materials such as bandages or tape can cause injury, so it's important to use a proper binder. Menkin: "People have been binding in different ways for centuries in different forms.
People with asthma any kind of lung disease or spine deformities need to use caution to not further restrict lung capacity function with binding. Renard: "Binding is not without physical risks, but for many people who decide to bind, these risks are worth the emotional relief and safety they provide.
Using a proper binder is the best solution. Absolutely avoid Ace bandages, duct tape, and other similar alternatives. The general rule seems to be hours, usually a full work or school day. When you get uncomfortable it's time for a break.
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