How to Safely Bind Your Chest

Binding fulfills several purposes depending on the needs of the individual. Some people bind for cosplay, gender play, or to present themselves in a fashion that is more congruent to how they feel they were meant to look. For some people in the trans* community, binding can serve as one ingredient in presenting as a male (or what we are conditioned to accept as male). It can also help to alleviate negative feelings they may harbor about specific aspects of their body.

Every person has their reasons for presenting as they do. As a result, binding also attracts people from a variety of backgrounds. Some of these people identify as trans*. Friends, family, significant others, and allies may also benefit from understanding how binding works, the risks involved, and how to minimize damage.

Yes. When you bind, you are putting your body under a considerable amount of stress. This is why safety is the number one issue when binding. The dangers can range from mild to severe depending on how intensely one is bound.

Some issues that may arise include:

- Pain and/or general discomfort. Some methods of binding can result in sweating, discomfort, and/or pain. Rib tenderness is also possible.

- Breathing difficulty. Since binding involves compression on your chest and restriction of movement over a period of time, you may find yourself short of breath.

- Skin irritation. This becomes a more pronounced problem if your binding method of choice does not involve breathable, moisture-wicking fabric.

- Lacerations. If you are binding too tightly you run the risk of the fabric cutting into your skin and leaving painful markings.

Some severe issues you should watch out for:

- Long-term rib damage. Binding too tightly over long stretches of time can lead to rib warpage, fractures, or even broken bones in more severe cases.

- Pleurisy. Binding too tightly can also lead to inflammation of the lining of one's lungs. This is usually accompanied by a sharp pain in the chest when breathing or coughing.

There are many other risks involved with binding that you should always be cautious of. To be safe, consult with your physician about any medical conditions you may have and how binding may affect your body.

Please note there are dozens of different methods for binding one's chest. However, safety is the emphasis here so I will not discuss more harmful methods. Use the information here to your discretion and listen to your body if something goes wrong.

Chest compression vests.
These compression garments are typically made of spandex and lycra, among other materials. Some are advertised as gynecomastia vests while others were specially designed to suit the needs of trans* people and others interested in chest binding. These binders come in a variety of colors, styles, and closure types to suit a wide range of bodies. Garments designed specifically for binding also tend to be constructed of breathable fabrics and with comfort in mind.

Sports bras.
This method involves wearing a tight sports bra to compress one's chest. This method can be successful if you are a smaller size; however, some people find it necessary to layer more than one sports bra to achieve their desired look.

Abdominal trimmers or back braces.
These are sometimes made of neoprene and work well for binding; however, the material is not breathable so you may have some skin irritation. Simply apply the brace over your chest and make sure the velcro enclosure is off to the side to minimize its appearance.

Layering of shirts.
This method can be used alone or combined with any of the above. If you do not wish to wear a binder, layering can be an option for you. If you choose to layer, keep in mind that certain fabrics will cling to your body while others will hang. As a result, button-down shirts (woven, not knitted) are favorable because they hang rather than cling. Patterns also distract the eye and can minimize the appearance of your chest.

- It is inadvisable to bind for longer than 8-10 hours in a single day; 12 hours being the maximum. Binding for longer increases your risk of developing some of the issues mentioned above.

- Do not fall asleep while bound.

- It is inadvisable to engage in intense physical activity when bound. The restriction of your movement and breathing capacity coupled with high energy activity can be dangerous.

- When you remove your binding, cough several times to loosen up fluid. This is especially important if your hear wheezing in your lungs when you breathe in and out. This means you could be binding too tightly or for too long. If the symptoms persist, consult your physician.

- Do not use ACE bandage or duct tape to bind. Neither of these materials are breathable or gentle on your skin.

- Do not double up on binders because this increases your risk of damaging your body. Instead, try to use layers or patterns to divert eyes from your chest.

- Listen to your body. If you are in pain or unable to breathe, remove your binding and allow your body to rest.