#safe binding

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.

honored!

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.

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

We here at Junoland are dedicated to providing you with the silliest bs yapping this side of Tumblr! But this Pride Month, we wanted to touch on a subject that is near and queer to our hearts; safe binding!

Please, make sure that you're binding appropriately this summer! No longer than 8 hours with breaks in between as needed, in a binder that's your correct size. And of course, binding or not, stay hydrated! Otherwise, you may end up like this poor fellow here...

Remember: It's not worth the stress, so unbind your chest!