Main things to know:
Le Binder is a garment designed to compress the chest (the compression of breast tissue serves to give the appearance of a flat chest) this practice is common among all those who do not want their chest to look feminine, such as transgender men and male-presenting AFAB (assigned female at birth) people.
Do not tie your chest with tape or cellophane. The safest and most popular methods are to use binders or sports bras.
If you compress your chest frequently, be sure to take breaks throughout the day, avoiding more than 8 hours in a row, as continuous binding can lead to negative side effects.
How do people bind their chests?
People compress their chest in different ways: some people wrap their chest with elastic bandages, others wear a sports bra, neoprene, or athletic compression garments, or layer multiple sports bras or shirts . Others wear Binders specially designed for this purpose.
Everyone relates differently. Some people only bond on special occasions, others every day. A study of people who bind themselves reported that the average person binds their chests for about 8 hours a day, with the most popular methods being commercial chest straps (Binder), followed by sports bras, layering of shirts or bras, and bandages or elastic materials.
Risks and Side Effects of Bonding
Like many things people do to alter their outward appearance (wearing high heels or shaving off facial hair), breast fixation comes with some risk.
Bonding can affect skin, muscle and movement, especially over long periods of time. Tightly covering the skin and chest with materials that do not allow air to circulate freely can create warm, moist environments that are conducive to the development of bacterial and fungal infections. Wearing belts that are too tight can damage underlying tissues and muscles, prevent freedom of movement, and even restrict a person's ability to breathe.
It is therefore important to choose the right bandage. Trans boutique offers ultra-comfortable breathable Binders, avoiding the risks mentioned above as much as possible. Please choose the right size for you, and don't forget to listen to your body. It is not normal to feel pain, at first it may be uncomfortable but you should never feel pain, a feeling of suffocation or difficulty breathing. Listen to your body and don't put yourself in danger.
Tips for healthier chest compression
Everyone binds differently, the trick is to figure out what is safest and best for you.
1. Limit the time you bond.
Do not wear a binder for more than 8 hours and do not sleep wearing your compress. It's also crucial to schedule breaks daily and make sure you're not tying every day. People who bandage their breasts more frequently, such as every day, are more likely to experience negative side effects.
2. Avoid binding during training.
Although physical movement can exacerbate dysphoria for some people, exercising is when you need to breathe deeply, move freely, and are more likely to sweat. If you still want to flatten your chest while exercising, look for a sports bra that does just that.
3. Get the right fit.
If you want to wear a binder, take the time to make sure you're buying the right size and that it fits you well. Try not to buy one that is too tight, if it causes pain, cuts/trauma or restricts your breathing then you need to go up a size or two. A binder should allow normal breathing and allow air circulation (look for breathable fabrics). Moist, moist skin conditions are the perfect environment for rashes and fungal infections.
4. Do not bind with plastic wrap, tape or cellophane.
These are associated with an increase in negative symptoms. Tape can damage your skin and bandages can tighten when you move. You might feel rushed to start binding or run out of resources to buy a binder, but it's not worth putting your health at risk.
5. Bind less if you are planning to have surgery.
If you're planning on having top surgery (a procedure to reduce or remove breast tissue), it's best not to tie that often, as it can affect your skin's elasticity and have surgical impacts.
6. Listen to your body.
If you feel pain or have difficulty breathing, remove your bandage (or other restrictive clothing). Maybe what you were wearing was too tight or you tied yourself too long without a break. You might be tempted to bond all the time if it has a positive impact on your dysphoria or mental health, but it's essential that you take care of your body in the process.
