Underworks also sells chest binders, though they're not specifically made for transgender individuals. Selkie stresses the importance of finding a properly fitting binder when you first start. Tight binders can cut off breathing, irritate your skin, or give you back pain — and loose binders won't give you the proper chest compression you want. If purchasing your binder online, have a good look at the binder sizing chart and mark down your own measurements with a tape measure.
The GC2B sizing chart , for example, requires measurements around the chest and between your shoulders. For a binder, chest measurements must be taken around the nipples, as it has the most breast tissue. Always round up when taking torso measurements. Selkie also recommends looking at the site's binder return policy in case yours doesn't fit, as well as redoing your measurements if you gain or lose more than 15 pounds to ensure you get the right binder size.
You can try putting on a binder like you would a sports bra — pull it over your head and then stick your arms through. However, binders are especially tight when you first buy them, so you might find it difficult to put on. If the sports bra method of putting on the binder doesn't work for you, consider this alternative method of putting on a binder:. Both Selkie and Rosenthal say that you shouldn't wear a chest binder for more than eight consecutive hours, otherwise you're more likely to experience back pain, breathing problems, and other side effects.
Overall, you should take plenty of breaks every hour or two when you first use your binder, and set aside one day a week in which you don't use your binder at all so that your body adjusts to the compression.
Commercial chest binders can be used without medical supervision, but you should stop using the binder and see a medical professional if you experience the following side effects. According to GC2B , discomfort is a sign that your body needs a break from binding.
However, many people experience these side effects. 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. A transgender medicine specialist shares safe chest binding practices that will allow you to live as yourself while taking care of your health.
Learn more about vaccine availability. Advertising Policy. You have successfully subscribed to our newsletter. Related Articles. Trending Topics. What Parents Need to Know. Share this article via email with one or more people using the form below. Send me expert insights each week in Health Essentials News. Add those numbers together and divide the sum by 2. This number will differentiate your size not only from brand to brand but from binder to binder as well.
How to Put On a Chest Binder There are 2 methods, over the head like putting on a tank top or stepping into the binder and pulling it over your hips and through your arms.
Put your binder inside out and upside down. Step into your binder and pull the bottom of it up, ideally to your belt line. The binder should still be inside out and upside down. Use the sleeves as handles to pull the top of the binder the end closer to your feet up to your shoulders. Put your arms through the sleeve holes and adjust your chest to your needs. For others, leaving it folded under may help stop the binder from rolling up.
Risks Associated with Binding Because most binding methods involve tight compression of chest tissue, binding can sometimes result in pain, discomfort and physical restrictions. Binding and Breast Cancer There is no evidence to suggest that chest binding increases the risk of breast cancer. Get full instructions to set up your virtual consultation! This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.
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