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idiotwithasword · 4 years

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Binding safety + tips

In case you don’t know what binding is it’s when someone, usually afab, uses a binder to make their chest appear flat. Binders are usually used by trans individuals to pass and get rid of their chest dysphoria but it can also sometimes be used by cis girls for cosplays or crossdressing. Binding can be dangerous and that’s way there is many safety rules that you should respect when you bind.

I, as a trans male, have been binding for a bit over a year now. The informations I will give in this post are both based on personal researches as well as my own experience.

In this post I will give you the basic infos that you need to have before you start binding, safety tips on when and how long you should bind as well as other useful tips. Please notice that while I will give some of the more basic tips, that basically anyone who already researched a bit on binding knows I also have some lesser know tips that are just as important so even if you already know about binding I suggest you try to read a bit through this.

I/Starting binding

1- Getting a binder

First of all if you are trying to flatten your chest, know that you can’t do it with anything. I know it’s tempting to use anything you can get your hands on just so you can finally look flat, believe me I do and I can personally attest that you should NEVER use anything else than a binder. Tape, bandages, ribbons, cellophane or anything else than a binder IS A NO. It can cause very serious damages to your body such as: broken ribs, breathing problems and more. It can prevents you from binding again in the future and it can even prevents you from top surgery so really it’s not worth it, plus it really isn’t that effective.

Same goes for DIY binders. There’s many tutos for how to make a binder yourself and they’re all just super unsafe so even if it “seems safe enough” don’t do it. Just don’t. I will try making a post about how to appear flat without a binder someday so if you can’t get a binder: wait for it.

Now, I told you that you should never use anything else than a binder to bind but not all binders are safe. Some brands are super unsafe and can cause as much troubles as bandages. I will also try to make a post about binder brands when I’ll have gathered enough informations in the meantime these are the brands that are highly recommended: GC2B (I use these binders and they are really good) and Underwoks. There are some other good brands but I want to make more researches before I talk about them. DO NOT BUY CHEAP BINDERS, DO NOT GET YOUR BINDER ON AMAZON OR EBAY, DO NOT GET A BINDER LABELED AS LESBIAN: THEY ARE NOT SAFE.

2- Getting the right size

Getting the right size can be difficult but it’s very important. A binder that is too tight is dangerous and not more effective so always be extra careful when choosing a size. All the binder brand’s sizings are not the same so look closely at their sizing charts and follow the instructions they give you.

You should always measure your chest when buying a binder, do not try to guess your size because that’s just a good way to end up with a binder too small or too large. Remember that your size may vary from a brand to another so for exemple if you already have a GC2B binder in size S but you want to buy a binder from spectrum outfitter you should look at the sizing chart and follow their instructions to measure your chest. The size of your chest can also change very quickly so even if you’re buying a new binder from a brand you already know it’s better to check your size again.

Always get the right size. DO NOT EVER get a smaller size, it’s stupid, dangerous and useless because you can end up not even being able to put your binder on. If you are in between sizes: get the bigger size. A good binder should be comfortable, easy to breath in and shouldn’t be hard to put on and off. I know there’s a lot of jokes going around about getting stuck in your binder but if it takes over a minute to put your binder on or to take it off chances are that it is too small so you should get a bigger size. If you have any doubts just send an email to the brand and they will help you.

3- Avoiding binding

As you’ve probably noticed by now binding can be pretty risky, even when getting the right binder and following all the safety rules on the long term you might still have problems, especially regarding your skin elasticity and your lungs capacity. The best way to avoid any problems is to avoid binding as much as you can. Don’t bind if you don’t need it. If you don’t have any chest dysphoria you don’t need a binder, I can’t stop you from binding obviously but it really doesn’t worth it: a binder is expensive, can be painful and can cause severe health issues so if you don’t need it don’t get one, there are other ways to hide your chest that are way more healthy (unless you use a binder for cosplay or crossdressing because in that case it’s occasionnal so if you follow the safety rules you don’t risk anything)

If you have any health issues than could prevent binding such as asthma, scoliosis, chronical pain, breathing problems or anything else: check with your doctor if it’s safe or not. If you can’t ask your doctor well you know your conditions and limits better than I do but I would still advice you to bind as little as possible and avoid it if you can, as I said: there are other ways to hide your chest.

No matter what you should ALWAYS listen to your body. If it hurts: take a break. If it doesn’t hurt but you’ve been binding for over 8 hours: take your binder off. Your back hurts: take a break and stretch. It’s not 8 hours yet but despite your break you’re in pain: take it off. The pain is lasting: stop binding and see a doctor.

II/How to bind

1- How long you should bind

Some sources will tell you to never bind more than 6 hours a day, some will tell you that you can go up to 12 hours. From my researches what I recommend is to not bind over 8 hours a day and only go up to 10 hours max if you have no other choice. Take as much breaks as possible during the day and if you end up binding for more than 8 hours a day take a break from binding in the following days. Of course you should also stop binding if it causes you pain.

You should also not bind every day. It is advised to take a 2-3 days break where you don’t bind at all to let your body rest. The break should be longer if you had to bind for too long or if you have any sort of pain.

Something that isn’t told enough is that you shouldn’t bind for 8 hours as soon as you get your binder, you should give time to you body to get used to it, for exemple bind for 1 hour on the first day, 2 on the second day and slowly go up to 8. If you take long breaks from binding (for exemple if you stop binding for a few weeks) you should also do this.

2- When you shouldn’t bind EVER

Do not bind when you sleep, first of all because it won’t be comfortable but also, and mostly, because you breath differently when you sleep and a binder is too restrictive to allow you to breath without hurting yourself. Don’t ever keep your binder when you sleep, even if it’s only for a nap.

For the same reason you shouldn’t bind when you exercise. Some binder brands, such as GC2B do say that you can exercice in their binder but really, don’t do it unless it’s very small exercising. Some binders can go in water so you can swim in them but don’t use them if you do swimming as a sport and it is better to have a bigger size if you swim in your binder.

Now this one isn’t very known but it is extremely important so feel free to share it with every perso who binds you know: DO NOT EVER BIND IN A PLANE. It’s very dangerous. Just don’t do it. Please.

3- When you should really avoid binding

These tips are all based on personal experience, you are not putting yourself in danger if you choose to not follow them, they are simply meant to help you have a more comfortable experience with binding

- Take of your binder when you rest, even if you’re not sleeping, it’s more comfortable and if you accidentally fall asleep you will be safe

- Avoid binding if you are tired, you will breath more easily and I usually find myself in pain more easily if I’m tired

- For the same reason, avoid binding if you are going to drink alcohol

- Don’t bind if you are about to face a stressful situation, especially if you are prone to panic attacks because you need to breath

-Don’t bind when it’s hot BECAUSE THAT SHIT IS HELL ON EARTH

- Avoid binding if you’re going to walk a lot too, it’s just more comfortable and at least you won’t sweat in your binder idk

- Also I really recommend to not bind if you are not sure when you’ll be able to take your binder off

- Take your binder off if you are feeling too uncomfortable or have back pain

III/Other tips

WATER. DRINK WATER. ALWAYS MORE WATER. YOU NEVER DRINK ENOUGH WATER. DRINK MORE. ACTUALLY EVEN IF YOU DON’T BIND JUST GO AND GET WATER.

Always carry a safety bra with you in case of emergency so you can take your binder off and go on for the rest of the day with some comfortable sports bra

Stretch. Stretch before you put your binder on, during the day, when you take it off. Just stretch, it’s good

Take care of your skin. Binding can give you acne and stuff so always wash your skin correctly.

Wash your binder often. especially if you sweat a lot.

TAKE MORE BREAKS ALWAYS MORE BREAKS BREAKS ARE GOOD

Ok now I know all these rules sound super strict, I myself don’t follow all of them all the time but this is really what is the best to do for your body in order to avoid as much pain or discomfort as possible. Binding can really be dangerous and you should really be careful if you want to avoid any injury that could prevent you from binding or getting top surgery. Be safe. Have a good life.

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