from laundryandtaxes, when asked for a recommendation for a safe binder
I think people make decisions that are harmful to their bodies but psychologically helpful in at least the short term all the time, but I outright don't agree with the concept that such a thing as a safe binder exists- I think the practice of binding is categorically a harmful one and that the most appropriate framing here is one of harm reduction. To that end, I would say that especially unsafe binding practicers are those that seem especially unsafe, like the use of tape, double binding, wearing binders while swimming, etc. But I honestly would feel very irresponsible and culpable putting a link here to a company that sells items meant to compress breast tissue with extremely predictable results- rib pain, lung capacity problems, permanent flattening which creates new support problems, etc- so I will not be linking any such companies here. There's no such thing as "effective" binding that doesn't hurt your body. Frankly, I don't even think binding ends up being psychologically helpful for most people, since the core issue (discomfort with having breast tissue, not just with that tissue being seen by others) goes unaddressed and often binding increases someone's distress at seeing their unbound chest categorically. So while I understand that you're experiencing distress and I understand and have also experienced that distress myself, I cannot in good conscience point you toward a company that produces binders while also claiming I'm helping you not harm your body.
thinking of detransition? you are not alone
you do not get to destroy other peoples bodies
