![]() ![]() Don't Wear It For Too LongĪccording to alternative lifestyle site Qwear, you should be binding for no more than eight to 10 hours a day and should definitely be taking it off before bedtime. ![]() According to TransGuys, you should be able to take deep breaths in your binder without difficulty. ![]() If after purchasing, you find the binder to feel too tight or restrictive to your breathing, listen to your body and please take it off. This includes the aforementioned issues like back pain and breathing problems. "If someone is wearing a binder that is one or two sizes too small, which people commonly do, they're going to be more likely to have problems," Goldstein adds. Binders are already tight, so don't opt for a smaller size just because you think it will be more effective in concealing your breasts. As advises, be sure to measure across the part of your chest that comes out the furthest, as well as the area right below your breasts (you will probably need both of these numbers as a reference for your binder shopping experience).įinding plus size options can often seem trickier in the chest binder world than in the rest of the sartorial one, but some retailers offering sizes up to 6XL.įinding the right size binder is crucial for both your health and comfort. When shopping for a binder, you'll need to know your chest measurements in order to determine what size binder you'll need (especially since every manufacturer makes slightly different sizes). If money is tight, you can receive a donated chest binder (as well as donate your old ones) through sites like MORF. They aren't always cheap, but there are plenty of affordable options on eBay. "That's the big advantage with commercial binders because it's impossible to wrap an Ace bandage around yourself."įrom my experience, store-bought binders are ultimately easier and also prevent you from binding too tightly. "There's probably not much of a difference besides ease of use," said Goldstein. According to AutoStraddle, using things like Ace bandages or even duct tape is not only incredibly uncomfortable, but has the potential to be life-threatening.īased on what Goldstein has seen, however, store-bought binders, DIY binders, and duct tape or bandages can yield extremely similar results (with the exception of tape causing more skin issues than bandages and binders). When it comes to binding your chest, it's usually best not to cut corners. Here are some important things to be aware of before shopping for your chest binder. It can be just as much of an accessory as your favorite choker, and just as fun-looking as the rest of your clothes. Your chest binder doesn't have to be boring or skin-toned (although there's nothing wrong with that). In addition to taking careful precautions with your own binding, it's also useful to know that more fashionable options are out there. Goldstein added: “People have pain and postural issues from binding and the thing that is best for avoiding that or minimizing that is to limit the number of hours per day that you bind." Zil Goldstein, a nurse practitioner at the Center For Transgender Medicine And Surgery at Mount Sinai, says “the risks from binding are back pain, skin issues, and it restricts people's breathing.” Using tape and certain types of bandages can quickly become a health hazard with the potential to "cause scarring to your skin, hurt your mobility, and cause fluid build-up in lungs or even broken ribs," according to AutoStraddle. While it can be magical, binding (if done improperly) has the potential to hurt you, both short and long term. Although getting your first binder can be a fun and transformative experience, stopping to consider what's best for you and your body is crucial before taking the plunge into body positive binding. ![]() It's a silhouette that has the power to give many people a boost of confidence, myself included, while bringing some of us a step closer to being our most authentic selves. Whether for personal preferences, body dysphoria, or a sheer desire to fit men's clothing better, binders are excellent for flattening the chest to create a more conventionally masculine silhouette. For many transgender men and gender nonconforming individuals, chest binding can be an essential part of getting dressed in the morning. ![]()
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |