Binding Tips - Tumblr Posts
Op is right. I've had a binder from this company and it is serious damage to not only my ribs but my back and shoulder blade. There have been days where I can't move cause I'm in so much pain. I know some people will ignore the pain because it helps ease gender dysphoria and is cheap but it's not worth it. If you have trouble breathing , a fast heartbeat, dry/irritated skin stop using that binder. If you can spend your money on better quality binders , trans tape or sports bras with compression. It will be better in the long run . Being in a body that doesn't fit is hard but don't make it harder by not listening to it. Also talk to someone you trust about binding if you are having difficulty with it for any reason. It will help so much.
Hey, PSA for younger/newer transmascs:
Tumblr has been showing targeted ads for "FTM binders" off Amazon. They look like this:
Do not buy these.
A binder is a piece of medical equipment. If you use one incorrectly, or use a poorly made one, you can really fuck up your ribs. This article from the Cleveland Clinic talks about how to bind safely.
A $14 binder is guaranteed not to be safe. There's a reason reputable companies charge more- sometimes a lot more. They have to carefully design binders so they don't crush your ribs or make you sick.
You know how everyone says Don't Bind With Duct Tape? Don't bind with Amazon binders.
I’ve been looking into safety for trans tape and I haven’t seen any posts on here with all the tips in one place and so I’ll write them here, for anyone else thinking of using it:
Before applying, make sure to wash skin to make sure there are no oils or moisturisers on your skin
Make nipple covers. This can be done with trans tape by folding a bit in half and sticking that on, so no adhesive side touches
Cut each strip with round corners, so that they are softer on the skin
For bigger chests, laying down whilst applying it can help
Don’t stretch it fully when you apply it, so that you don’t restrict your chest dangerously.
Remove slowly with the use of oil and or a hot shower, making sure to be gentle
While it seems as though there are a lot of things to do to be safe with trans tape, it is a safer alternative to binding and can be worn for far longer. I’ll put other resources I’ve found below:
Safety information for binding or taping chests
Application manual for trans tape
How to apply trans tape for large chests - video
Shop for a starter kit for trans tape
Or, kinesiology tape can be a cheaper alternative, which can be found on amazon just by searching ‘kinesiology tape’
If anyone else has any tips they’d be appreciated!!!