Interested in binding, or already binding? Here are some very important health tips that you need to know!:

• Do NOT use an ace bandage or similar homemade device for binding. Wrapping around your chest several times can result in dangerously tight binding that cuts off circulation, breathing, tissue damage, and skin irritation. If you want to make a binder, cut off the top of some control top pantyhose and sew on some straps. This is much safer and still just as cheap!
• NEVER sleep in a binder (unless you are in a place where it is unsafe for you to sleep without it). Don’t leave your binder on for more than 8 hours at a time. Your body needs time to stretch and breathe. Think about those pictures of women who wore corsets daily and how it changed the shape of their abdominal organs permanently. This can happen so a lesser extent with binding too and tissue damage caused by constant binding can make top surgery more difficult!
• Wear the right size binder. Don’t wear a smaller size thinking it will be more effective, it won’t flatten your chest more effectively, it’ll just cause more damage to your ribs and make breathing more difficult.
• If you wear a binder frequently, make sure its made of breathable fabric (not neoprene), or wear a tank top or apply cornstarch underneath it to prevent chafing and breaking out.
• If possible, take a “day off” at least once a week. Wearing even a tight sports bra once a week instead of a binder can help take some of the pressure off of your ribs.
• Go braless or wear a loose bra as much as possible. Actually bouncing your chest can help restore circulation and prevent tissue damage. Take your binder off as soon as you can, and spend a few minutes either jumping or just manually moving your chest. This can help prevent issues like breast cancer and tissue damage (and is even recommended for people who wear underwire bras regularly).
• Binding can change breast tissue, potentially increasing chances of breast cancer. It is important to do regular self exams so you recognize any changes in your body right away. The most important thing is to notice what lumps are normal for you and which are abnormal, immovable, and/or don’t go away.
• Give yourself chest massages (or get a loved one to do it for you!) to work out any tightness that wearing a binder causes. Pay special attention to the sides of your ribs, collar bone area, shoulders, and use a tennis ball (or two tennis balls taped together) on a wall or the floor to get the knots out of your back and between your scapula.
• Buy at least two binders so that you can alternate between them. If you give them a day off to regain their shape they’ll last longer! Wash them in special detergent that keeps them stretchy too: you can find soaps for medical braces, swimsuits, or nylons that all work well for this.
• If you are younger than 20, your body is still growing and changing and this makes binder safety even more important. Don’t wear a binder more than 3-4 times  a week. At younger ages you are more likely to cause dangerous changes to your ribcage and chest tissue by binding more frequently.

Resources for Buying a Binder:
This site has information on fitting, buying, and wearing binders
Low cost binders
T Kingdom
Underworks
Underworks swim binder
Binder reviews

Binder Alternatives:
Frog Bra Substitutes
Qwear sports bras

All information in this blog is for educational uses only. Always consult your doctor before taking any herbs or supplements, or changing or discontinuing your medications.

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