FA+
Shop
Safe Chest Binding 101
4 years ago
I'm taking the suggestion to post some basic 101 stuff since most people coming by here will probably be earlier in their transition. Most of this kind of stuff is honestly so far behind me that I actually needed help trying to find the best and most up to date information. That being said, this information is not my own. Sources are provided at the bottom. As always please feel free to leave a comment or send a note if you have any feedback.
Is binding dangerous?
Binding can be dangerous, or it can be a lot safer, depending on how it’s done. This is because binding compresses the chest area where the lungs are located. As a rule of thumb, you need to be able to take a full, deep breath while wearing the binder. To stay safe, try to minimize the number of hours you bind each day.
Symptoms that may require medical attention while binding include but are not limited to dizziness, shortness of breath, fainting, major pain. Never bind while you sleep. Your breaths become slower and shallower when you’re unconscious, creating a dangerous combination.
Do not use ace bandages or duct tape. Seriously, don't.
Most people would probably consider this common knowledge by now, but back in the day this definitely was more of a widespread problem. Ace bandages and tape are not meant for binding as they don’t move with your body and can cause serious physical harm. They can seriously restrict breathing, cause fluid build-up in your lungs and other serious injuries, such as broken ribs. There have been numerous cases of trans men who’ve acquired permanent scars and other injuries from using Ace bandages or duct tape to bind.
But what about trans tape?
This is a product that was made for this purpose, so it's generally acknowledged as safe to use with the proper precautions. Some people love this much more over traditional binding because it's much more comfortable for them. You may be interested to know that kinesthetic (KT) tape is the same product and generic brands often sell it at a much more affordable price. The primary benefit of binding with KT Tape is that it does not constrict your chest and can be left on for a few days at a time, so you can put it on and forget about it for a while. It's also okay to swim or shower with.
Applying kinesthetic tape
-Cut the strips in half (so you have two shorter pieces) to conserve them.
-Cover your nipples with a bandaid, gauze, etc. to protect them.
-Place the leading edge of the tape on the front of your chest, near or over your nipple.
-Stretch everything back and to the side, under your armpit, and adhere the tape.
-Make sure the anchor contacts the skin and isn't on top of another piece of tape.
-Rub the tape to activate the adhesives.
-You may need to use more than one strip to get flat enough.
Removing kinesthetic tape
Removing any kind of tape is going to come with the risk of pulling hair and skin off. The primary complaint people have in terms of comfort with KT Tape is that the adhesives can irritate your skin, and it can be difficult to remove and take some skin with it. Here are some tips for safe removal:
-Soak the tape in oil (baby oil, olive oil, vegetable oil, etc) for about 10 minutes before removing.
-Take a long hot shower and hold on to your skin close to where you're slowly removing the tape.
-Or just leave it on until it starts to peel up on it's own, and then try the tips above.
Back to traditional binders...
Find the right fit
Even with the right binder it’s still possible to bind unsafely. Read the sizing charts. Despite what you may have been told, don’t buy a binder that’s too small for you. Wearing an ill-fitting binder puts you at risk of the same problems as those who bind with Ace bandages or duct tape. Another piece of bad advice floating around out there is to wear tape and/or another binder on top of your binder. Make sure the binder doesn't hurt and you can breathe. It can be pretty easy to damage your ribs or internal organs when you go too tight. Be very careful to read the sizing info before you buy, especially if you go for an asian brand (their sizing is different).
Your binder size might change, be sure to buy new ones when you outgrow the old ones. If you find yourself sore, have trouble taking deep breaths, experience pain in the collarbone area, then it's time to size up. Conversely, binders do stretch out with extended use. If you find that your binder is not compressing your chest as well as it used to, you can run it through the dryer to try and shrink it (at your own risk) but you may have to get a new one. Different brands stretch out at different rates (gc2b is known for stretching out the fastest).
Long and short
Essentially, there are two types of binders: short ones and long ones. The short ones end right at your waist. The down side of these is that if you carry some extra weight, short binders tend to roll up and act more like a bra. The long ones can be pulled down past your waist by several inches, however it’s inevitable that it will still roll up. To reduce the chances of this, wear a belt. Choosing between a short and long binder has more to do with your body type, specifically your abdomen, and not your chest size.
If you can't get a binder
You can use a compressing sports bra, a compression t-shirt, or a wrap around back brace. Sizing again is very important. You want to compress the breasts, not your ribs. The other tried as true classic is obfuscation with a baggy hoodie or puffy vest.
Give your body a break
Binders aren’t the most comfortable things in the world. To make binding more comfortable, and to reduce the possibility of the binder moving around a bit, some guys wear a light shirt underneath. Not all binders breathe well, and the reality is that you’re probably going to get hot. If you’ve already started testosterone, you’re definitely going to sweat. The build up of sweat can irritate your skin causing rashes and sores. Wearing a thin cotton shirt that breathes well underneath your binder may help prevent this. If you find this uncomfortable, try applying corn starch to your body before putting on your binder to help keep it from holding in moisture. If you’ve already experienced skin irritation of some sort, take care of it the same way you would an open wound. Washing the irritated area with anti-bacterial soap will keep it clean and help it heal faster.
Don’t bind 24/7. In fact, don’t bind for more than 8-12 hours at a time. Stick to 6-8 hours at most if possible. If you can, take your binder off throughout the day to give your body a break– even if it's just for a few minutes in the bathroom. Suppressing dysphoria can’t come at the expense of your health. Even high quality binders can cause bruising. Use the times that you’re not binding to wash and air dry your binder, which will help make it last longer. Do not sleep with your binder.
Positioning
Every person is different, and you're gonna have to figure out how to position your breasts to achieve the best look. Some people like them straight forward. Some pull them down, or up, and to the side. Play around and see what works for you. Use something like gold bond powder between the binder and your skin if you will be wearing it a long time or you're likely to sweat. It'll prevent chafing, keep you drier, and be more comfortable. If you're large chested, getting a long binder and turning it up so it doubles over can give you a bit of extra power.
Washing
Don't wash your binder with the rest of your laundry. It'll deteriorate the binding ability. Usually you can handwash in cold water and air dry. You should also avoid swimming in one, because the chemicals in the water can also damage it. There are binders made specifically for swimming, or you can wear a rash guard. Binders usually come in black or white, occasionally beige. White gets dirty or stained pretty easily, so buy with caution. Black might get really hot in summer. Some binders are short and look like bras, others look like tanks or t-shirts.
Binding while exercising
When you engage in physical activity, your body’s need for oxygen increases. Binding too tightly while exercising can restrict your breathing, depriving you of oxygen and causing a buildup of harmful carbon dioxide. Bind lightly when exercising, take breaks, and do not push yourself if you begin to feel dizzy or short of breath. If you work out at a gym or somewhere else public, it may be helpful to hang a towel over your shoulders; depending on the size of your chest, it may help mask a looser binding job. It is recommended to bind using a sports bra or a binder that is one size too large when engaging in any strenuous physical activity such as exercising
Swimming
A rashguard or t-shirt over a binder works, but your binder may become damaged by water, especially in a chlorinated pool. Underworks, Flavnt, and Double T make swim binders. KT tape is also a popular option.
Where to buy?
The best known brands out there are gc2b and Underworks, however over the years many other companies have emerged. There are also many binder giveaways and buy/sell/swap groups for new and used binders. Make sure to read reviews from people with a similar body type before buying.
(link to a masterlist will be added when a good one is found)
Can chest binding affect my ability to have top surgery?
“Generally speaking, no. Binding over a long period of time can alter your skin’s natural elasticity, which may have some minor affects on your final cosmetic results.”
–Dr. Scott Mosser
Sources:
https://transguys.com/features/chest-binding
https://reddit.com/r/ftm/wiki/index/binding
Is binding dangerous?
Binding can be dangerous, or it can be a lot safer, depending on how it’s done. This is because binding compresses the chest area where the lungs are located. As a rule of thumb, you need to be able to take a full, deep breath while wearing the binder. To stay safe, try to minimize the number of hours you bind each day.
Symptoms that may require medical attention while binding include but are not limited to dizziness, shortness of breath, fainting, major pain. Never bind while you sleep. Your breaths become slower and shallower when you’re unconscious, creating a dangerous combination.
Do not use ace bandages or duct tape. Seriously, don't.
Most people would probably consider this common knowledge by now, but back in the day this definitely was more of a widespread problem. Ace bandages and tape are not meant for binding as they don’t move with your body and can cause serious physical harm. They can seriously restrict breathing, cause fluid build-up in your lungs and other serious injuries, such as broken ribs. There have been numerous cases of trans men who’ve acquired permanent scars and other injuries from using Ace bandages or duct tape to bind.
But what about trans tape?
This is a product that was made for this purpose, so it's generally acknowledged as safe to use with the proper precautions. Some people love this much more over traditional binding because it's much more comfortable for them. You may be interested to know that kinesthetic (KT) tape is the same product and generic brands often sell it at a much more affordable price. The primary benefit of binding with KT Tape is that it does not constrict your chest and can be left on for a few days at a time, so you can put it on and forget about it for a while. It's also okay to swim or shower with.
Applying kinesthetic tape
-Cut the strips in half (so you have two shorter pieces) to conserve them.
-Cover your nipples with a bandaid, gauze, etc. to protect them.
-Place the leading edge of the tape on the front of your chest, near or over your nipple.
-Stretch everything back and to the side, under your armpit, and adhere the tape.
-Make sure the anchor contacts the skin and isn't on top of another piece of tape.
-Rub the tape to activate the adhesives.
-You may need to use more than one strip to get flat enough.
Removing kinesthetic tape
Removing any kind of tape is going to come with the risk of pulling hair and skin off. The primary complaint people have in terms of comfort with KT Tape is that the adhesives can irritate your skin, and it can be difficult to remove and take some skin with it. Here are some tips for safe removal:
-Soak the tape in oil (baby oil, olive oil, vegetable oil, etc) for about 10 minutes before removing.
-Take a long hot shower and hold on to your skin close to where you're slowly removing the tape.
-Or just leave it on until it starts to peel up on it's own, and then try the tips above.
Back to traditional binders...
Find the right fit
Even with the right binder it’s still possible to bind unsafely. Read the sizing charts. Despite what you may have been told, don’t buy a binder that’s too small for you. Wearing an ill-fitting binder puts you at risk of the same problems as those who bind with Ace bandages or duct tape. Another piece of bad advice floating around out there is to wear tape and/or another binder on top of your binder. Make sure the binder doesn't hurt and you can breathe. It can be pretty easy to damage your ribs or internal organs when you go too tight. Be very careful to read the sizing info before you buy, especially if you go for an asian brand (their sizing is different).
Your binder size might change, be sure to buy new ones when you outgrow the old ones. If you find yourself sore, have trouble taking deep breaths, experience pain in the collarbone area, then it's time to size up. Conversely, binders do stretch out with extended use. If you find that your binder is not compressing your chest as well as it used to, you can run it through the dryer to try and shrink it (at your own risk) but you may have to get a new one. Different brands stretch out at different rates (gc2b is known for stretching out the fastest).
Long and short
Essentially, there are two types of binders: short ones and long ones. The short ones end right at your waist. The down side of these is that if you carry some extra weight, short binders tend to roll up and act more like a bra. The long ones can be pulled down past your waist by several inches, however it’s inevitable that it will still roll up. To reduce the chances of this, wear a belt. Choosing between a short and long binder has more to do with your body type, specifically your abdomen, and not your chest size.
If you can't get a binder
You can use a compressing sports bra, a compression t-shirt, or a wrap around back brace. Sizing again is very important. You want to compress the breasts, not your ribs. The other tried as true classic is obfuscation with a baggy hoodie or puffy vest.
Give your body a break
Binders aren’t the most comfortable things in the world. To make binding more comfortable, and to reduce the possibility of the binder moving around a bit, some guys wear a light shirt underneath. Not all binders breathe well, and the reality is that you’re probably going to get hot. If you’ve already started testosterone, you’re definitely going to sweat. The build up of sweat can irritate your skin causing rashes and sores. Wearing a thin cotton shirt that breathes well underneath your binder may help prevent this. If you find this uncomfortable, try applying corn starch to your body before putting on your binder to help keep it from holding in moisture. If you’ve already experienced skin irritation of some sort, take care of it the same way you would an open wound. Washing the irritated area with anti-bacterial soap will keep it clean and help it heal faster.
Don’t bind 24/7. In fact, don’t bind for more than 8-12 hours at a time. Stick to 6-8 hours at most if possible. If you can, take your binder off throughout the day to give your body a break– even if it's just for a few minutes in the bathroom. Suppressing dysphoria can’t come at the expense of your health. Even high quality binders can cause bruising. Use the times that you’re not binding to wash and air dry your binder, which will help make it last longer. Do not sleep with your binder.
Positioning
Every person is different, and you're gonna have to figure out how to position your breasts to achieve the best look. Some people like them straight forward. Some pull them down, or up, and to the side. Play around and see what works for you. Use something like gold bond powder between the binder and your skin if you will be wearing it a long time or you're likely to sweat. It'll prevent chafing, keep you drier, and be more comfortable. If you're large chested, getting a long binder and turning it up so it doubles over can give you a bit of extra power.
Washing
Don't wash your binder with the rest of your laundry. It'll deteriorate the binding ability. Usually you can handwash in cold water and air dry. You should also avoid swimming in one, because the chemicals in the water can also damage it. There are binders made specifically for swimming, or you can wear a rash guard. Binders usually come in black or white, occasionally beige. White gets dirty or stained pretty easily, so buy with caution. Black might get really hot in summer. Some binders are short and look like bras, others look like tanks or t-shirts.
Binding while exercising
When you engage in physical activity, your body’s need for oxygen increases. Binding too tightly while exercising can restrict your breathing, depriving you of oxygen and causing a buildup of harmful carbon dioxide. Bind lightly when exercising, take breaks, and do not push yourself if you begin to feel dizzy or short of breath. If you work out at a gym or somewhere else public, it may be helpful to hang a towel over your shoulders; depending on the size of your chest, it may help mask a looser binding job. It is recommended to bind using a sports bra or a binder that is one size too large when engaging in any strenuous physical activity such as exercising
Swimming
A rashguard or t-shirt over a binder works, but your binder may become damaged by water, especially in a chlorinated pool. Underworks, Flavnt, and Double T make swim binders. KT tape is also a popular option.
Where to buy?
The best known brands out there are gc2b and Underworks, however over the years many other companies have emerged. There are also many binder giveaways and buy/sell/swap groups for new and used binders. Make sure to read reviews from people with a similar body type before buying.
(link to a masterlist will be added when a good one is found)
Can chest binding affect my ability to have top surgery?
“Generally speaking, no. Binding over a long period of time can alter your skin’s natural elasticity, which may have some minor affects on your final cosmetic results.”
–Dr. Scott Mosser
Sources:
https://transguys.com/features/chest-binding
https://reddit.com/r/ftm/wiki/index/binding
I look forward to more of these journals.
If you have ideas for other potential topics, please don't hesitate to say so.