#safe binding

[a-blue-mask]

Guys even if you're not in the US, share this and where you're from in the tags (approximating the area is fine too, like east europe or northern hemisphere, safety first, just to get this idea out there and maybe reach people who have actual experience handling this kind of thing).

Free Gender-Affirming Products For Trans Youth

Hey Tumblr!

I’m thinking about creating a project that provides free binders, trans tape, and usage resources to trans youth (ages 13–18 in the U.S.). Everything would be donation-based and run through a free website I’d build.

All requests would be kept private and handled securely. I'll be using a request form that will collect only the information necessary to send the products and ensure they go to the right people. Any personal details will never be shared or used for anything beyond the project.

Before I get too far into it, I wanted to ask:

Would this be something you’re interested in or would have wanted when you were younger?

Also, if you have the time, any answers to these questions would be extremely helpful:

Any ideas on the best way to handle requests so I can prioritize those most in need without compromising anyone’s safety or privacy?

Any tips on managing inventory, shipping, or collecting donations (money or items)?

If you’ve done something similar—or received help from projects like this—what worked for you?

I want to do this right—and safely—so any feedback or reblogs would mean a lot.

Thank you so much!!

-Limbo

[earlgraytay]

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.

[emotional-moss]

psa cause i’m seeing WAY too many people saying “ow taking off trans tape hurts so bad” “it’s peeling my skin/leaving abrasions” etc etc

TAKING OFF TRANS TAPE SHOULD NOT HURT

as someone who has incorrectly taken it off multiple times before to the point where it left huge red patches, blistering, and sometimes even bleeding: TAKE YOUR TRANS TAPE OFF CORRECTLY!!!

so here’s my guide as someone who’s been wearing it for around 2 years now, pretty much daily.

it takes time to do it correctly. it’s very time consuming and requires a lot of patience which is why i often wear tape for 5-7 days at a time instead of the recommended 3-4 days, because the removal process takes takes so fucking long. for me it can take around 15-20 minutes, however i do use 3 layers while some people might use 2.

you have to slather your tape in oil. like soak that shit. even if you think it’s enough oil, it’s not enough oil. oil up. you need more oil.

i recommend peeling from the corners first rather than just peeling from any old side. (if you round out the edges of your tape with scissors this doesn’t really apply).

pull SLOWLY. SLOWLY!!! yanking hard will leave abrasions and irritate your skin no matter how lubricated the tape itself is. it’s not like ripping off a bandaid. especially considering breasts are a generally pretty sensitive area. so always tug very slowly.

it should not hurt. it should not hurt. IT SHOULD NOT HURT!!! it’s perfectly normal for it to pinch a little bit, be itchy, or be uncomfortable, but actual stinging pain means you’re doing something wrong. usually because you’re pulling too fast or too hard or you didn’t use enough oil. if it starts to sting or hurt when you’re removing it, let go and apply more oil to the area.

massaging the edges of the tape and areas that you’re peeling from will loosen it a lot. ive found this to be particularly helpful when you start, so i usually apply slightly more oil to the borders and edges of the tape, so that the beginning removal is painless.

be careful around the areas under your arm - like sideboob areas. since trans tape pulls your breasts to the side rather than flattening them in front, if you remove it too harshly, it can cause severe abrasions where the boob has been pulled it to the side. it’s NOT fun and is painful pretty much every time you raise your arms etc. so be very careful and patient with those areas.

always wear nipple covers. this is a given but just in case anyone out there is going to be stupid: do NOT apply it directly over your nipples. the skin there is extremely delicate and it will get damaged even if you’re extremely careful. use nipple covers.

above all, be patient. it is a time consuming process and can be annoying or uncomfortable, but don’t rush. it is not worth it!! it is NOT fun to walk around with your boob areas stinging and irritated!! and it can make future trans tape application more difficult!! so give yourself ample time to do it.

good luck and i hope this helps ! stop taking off your trans tape incorrectly friends

[transmasc-advice-blog]

Binding

Binders

I found that Spectrum Outfitters worked best for me (prices range from $50-$39). I also have binders that are older and stretched out or that don’t work as well (like gc2b) that I use when I don’t need as flat of a chest because they are easier on my rib cage lol. If you do that, do NOT count that as a break!

Practice safe binding!

Don't bind for more than 8 hours

Don't sleep in a binder

Don't exercise in a binder

Get the right size

Try to only wear a binder for 5 or 6 days a week (this one is hard, I know)

If it hurts, take it off!

If you notice bruising, something is wrong! Your binder might be too small or you may be wearing it for too long.

TransTape

Wearing binders all the time is not too good for you so I recommend using a variety of different binding techniques. One is TransTape!

The reason Ace bandages are unsafe is because as you breathe it gets tighter and tighter and can really hurt you. But TransTape doesn't do that, it's like the tape athletes use when they sprain their ankle or something. It's safe as long as it is used properly. Plus, you can wear it for up to 5 days, exercise and sleep while wearing it, and it's water proof!

TransTape isn't the only brand of course, but they do have a lot of great resources.

Learn more at their website here. I recommend starting with this page and the FAQ.

KT tape is another option if you cant afford/arent allowed to order TransTape. You can find it at most drugstores and box stores for relatively cheap. The adhesive isnt as strong as TransTape, keep that in mind when applying.

Men's Compression Shirts *I have not used these myself (yet) but I hear they work pretty well*

Made for cis men with gynecomastia but hey we can use em. Obviously will work much better for smaller chests, but could still do something for bigger chests, maybe for under a hoodie?

They won't flatten you as well as binders but the goal is more to masculinize the shape of your chest than to completely flatten it. They are also safer than binders.

Other stuff

The color black will make you look flatter

Layers! Lots of layers! (don't overheat)

Sports bras

Compression bras

Button ups <3333

Resources

Pain-Free Binding Techniques | Youtube Video by Arthur Rockwell

Binding 101 - Point of Pride

Binding Safely - Spectrum Outfitters

How to Hide Your Chest (without a binder) | Youtube Video by Iris Olympia

Binder Care - Spectrum Outfitters

Please free feel to add!

[behindthekitty]

be like naoto! not akechi

[oxenfreeao3]

I’m so bummed they appear to have Vi bandaging her chest in the new design.

I don’t discourse, but that was my one little hill to die on: binding safety. Don’t wrap with bandages. Don’t romanticize it. It’s dangerous.

Now my timeline is full of Vi-in-chest bandages art.

It’s going to be such a popular (and likely canonical) depiction now that it’d be nigh on pointless for me to push back, but for the sake of my psyche, I’ll say one last time:

Please bind safely. Don’t wrap your chest in bandages. It can cause serious health problems.

If you as a creator are designing a character that wraps their chest in bandages for some reason, please consider relaying to your audience that this act is painful and ill-advised. This can be done either explicitly or through show-not-tell.

Thanks, all.

Stay safe out there.

[kreeative-error]

using kt tape as transtape (bc breatheable and safe) and he aint PERFECT and the first application made me feel sick from dysphoria but we recuperated, tried again and slayed. he flatter now. crazzyyyyyy.

love u tape i wanna be able to bind at school

side note i was meant to come out last night like every freaking weekend for the last MONTH and it didnt freaking happen bc ofc not. next weekend. istg.

[our-trans-youth-experience]

my parents keep complaining that i’m going to get scoliosis because of how i’m always hunched over. and externally i’m like hahaha yeah i’ll work on that but internally it’s like. get a fucking binder and then we can start talking about back posture. in the mean time i am trying not to get killed by dysphoria. thanks 👍

Oof. Yeah, the transmasc bad posture sucks, but hopefully it won't be too long until you get a binder (and top surgery if you want it) and feel a little more confident :)

-Sage [he/they/neos]

[coffeeinaugust]

Link to the fundraiser: https://gofund.me/f4e52c9c

[no-brain-just-good-omens]

hmm. maybe binding all day every day is not a good idea after all. back hurts :(

[oh-dear-sally]

Does anybody have trans tape recommendations that are ACTUALLY hypoallergenic?

I only tried some athletic bandages that was supposed to be hypoallergenic, but I had a severe allergic reaction. Heard good things but was really disappointed.

Help me out please!

[crippledwithrage]

I'm somewhere between a B and A cup, so I'm on the smaller side of chests. I've tried different methods of taping and all it did was make them not jiggle when I walked- like a tape bra.

This method, however focuses on the pec shape rather than flattening perfectly.

I came up with it after wasting half a roll of trans tape on other methods, but this one really helped me!

All bodies are different so don't be afraid to experiment with different styles!

Make sure ur musty ass is clean when you put the tape on or you'll be taping over dirt and sweat which is going to give yourself an infection.

Here's a tutorial I found on larger chests and bodies!>>> https://youtu.be/USNvHelRBoU

When making the anchor (the part that sticks to your skin before you pull the rest of it) make sure it's flat and attached well using heat and friction.

(Round the fucking corners of the tape! It gives more traction! )

The first strip is 3 segments and starts near the bottom of the breast where the skin folds over, and pulls up towards the armpit diagonally.

Be sure to pull up first. If you pull down, it may damage the tissue and make top surgery impossible.

The second piece pulls downwards diagonally from the top towards the bottom of the ribs at the back (near your floating ribs). Make sure it doesn't wrap all the way to your shoulder blades.

(That way you can reach It to take it off properly)

It's important not to do this backwards because you shouldn't pull down! It should look like pecs, but remember, cutting board flat is unrealistic and dangerous!

The skin will itch in the middle so feel free to use anti itch cream to alleviate.

Remember > the tissue may be more dense like mine which makes this using transtape frustrating.

Again, feel free to alter it if it doesn't work.

If you have sensory issues, be aware of your boundaries! You can feel the tape on you but don't be afraid to say that it doesn't feel right.

Adjust it or try a different binder. Fytist is the best for sensory friendly binding.

With tape, you'll be able to feel your shirt on your chest and back when using transtape too, so that's something to get used to.

Wear a heavy jacket or sit against something to make that odd sensation go away.

I'm disabled, and I have issues with my oxygen levels so breathing properly is a must. Binders can make it hard to breathe and cause joint pain which is a bitch of a time for me. In the summer, especially, since they get hot.

Binders work for me, luckily, but this method of tape allows for clear breathing.

No squeezing sensation and free range of movement.

It minimizes pain, and allows me to breathe freely as I would with nothing on. If you have breathing problems and can use tape, I highly suggest this.

You can sleep in this stuff and use it for 4 ish days. If it hurts or pulls, or even blisters, take it off! It's better to have a bad day than to live with a mistake forever. Bind safely!

This is for those of you who feel like they're not "flat enough ". Markipier is a cis man and I personally love that he never hides that his chest is somewhat fuller. He has pecs and wears tighter shirts, and this is literally the norm for men. This is the shape you should be going for, not cutting board flat. Most men aren't flat anyways.

When in dysphoria, remember markipier!

Lastly, if you can get cutting board flat, be sure to check if your method is safe and that you're not pulling down. If it's safe, congrats! But I will find you and I will delete your minecraft worlds if you bully others about their chest.

Stay safe out there, queers!

[transgooglesearches]

Your binding info page is a bit out of date.

There is actually one kind of tape that is safe to bind with. Kinesiology tape (aka "K-tape" or "Trans Tape") is an elastisized sports tape that can be safely used for binding without wrapping around a person's ribs.

K-tape is used to pull aside each side of a person's chest without wapping around like in this picture so that it doesn't put pressure on ribs or impede breathing.

K-tape is actually the only way that I can bind safely because a regular binder would risk setting off my fibromyalgia, and it's also the only binding method I know of that can be safely used while exercising.

Thank you for the information! I don’t always have computer access so unfortunately I can get behind on keeping pages up to date, I’ll edit it in the upcoming days though!

[evilvampwhore]

REMINDER TO NOT WEAR YOUR BINDER FOR MORE THAN EIGHT HOURS A DAY AND NEVER SLEEP IN IT!!!

BE SAFE POOKIES

[bookofhappyescapes]

Binders: making me uncomfortably aware of my breathing since 2019

[sagegreenfrogs]

Remember to not sleep in your binder or contact lenses and eat some fruit and get some sunshine and that you're awesome and talented and don't need to be either of those things to be loved <3

🐸❤️🫶

yep!!! I don't wear contacts so that one goes to my followers lol

MORE RULES FOR BINDING!!

unless you have an exercise binder, DO NOT WEAR IT WHILE WORKING OUT.

do not wear your binder for more than 8 hours at a time, but just to be safe, try to keep it under 6 hours

TAKE BINDER BREAKS.

if you have any long-term pain or discomfort, ESPECIALLY IN YOUR RIBS, speak to a doctor or get different size.

when buying, if you are between sizes, GO FOR THE LARGER SIZE.

stretch!! just stretch!!

if it's your first binder, buy a half-cut!! in general, they're safer for your ribs!!

and this one is newer: DON'T BUY GC2B. they used to be trustworthy, recent reviews have said they are not. unless they are your only option (through charities or places that give them out for free,) please do not buy from them.