(tw for general discussion of gender dysphoria and body parts, specifically chest/breasts. looking for reassurance and advice a little, but also just to rant) so i may be overreacting but im getting trans tape, and the tutorial from the website is....iffy? like the art used for it looks SUPER AI, which isnt noticeable on the small and medium models, but on the large model i can barely tell what it looks like. like it looks SO AI, and im so anxious about if it is or not, because i dont want to believe it is but i will actually cry if they used AI, and it made the large chest tutorial from the OFFICIAL website unusable. the reason im getting trans tape is because i cant find a binder that fits and i've already spent too much money trying to get a custom fit which was also too small. it will be incredibly hard to find tutorials online in my size. i dont even have the tape yet, but this is a last resort other than reduction or surgery, which is more of a permanent solution than i may want. idk, im just stressed by the fact that the website may not have even bothered to use actual art or models, especially for the larger option. i get stressed easily when things dont come off, so i can already tell the removal process will be something, especially since it seems like it will require more showering and thus more dysphoria. its genuinely so disappointing to keep finding out even my own community cant bother to deal with anyone above a size like...C, MAYBE D or double D if lucky. and that this may be too difficult anyways, because of sensory issues or dysphoria or general discomfort. i'll probably figure it out or find a tutorial, and i have an incredibly supportive mom to help me, but i'm genuinely crying over how frustrating its getting. i just want to find out if i even WANT top surgery or some other solution, because i LIKE my body most days now, since coming out i've had less dysphoria. but i also dont have the option to keep my body as is forever, since the rib pain, chest pain and back pain isnt healthy and literally could cause scoliosis. i think i'd rather just get top surgery than a reduction, since it both wouldnt get rid of my dysphoria and would feel like getting rid of the body i like for the wrong reason. like if im going to have boobs this is the size i like cause its me and i've been stuck with them so idk, i like how i look. the tutorial is on the trans tape website if anyone wants to look and give feedback/tell me if it also looks AI, that would definitely help. also some experiences had with trans tape if anyone has, especially anyone who deals with sensory issues/large chest. sorry for rambling in the inbox, i know its a confessional and its meant for rambling, but i still feel bad lol. for context im a minor (close to 18 now but surgery hasnt been an option), i've also been trying to avoid having anything to do with me being trans on any kind of medical record (other than my therapist) since i am in the US so surgery would genuinely have to be a last ditch effort, plus my family does NOT have the money even if my mom assures me it would be fine. i'd be putting myself in danger getting surgery, basically. i'm also nonbinary, and my dysphoria used to be so extreme i couldnt move without pain but the past year has been mild-low, and very much fluctuating which is why im unsure of surgery. there's also the extra hurdle of possibly having to lie about my identity in order to get surgery (i've heard stories of enbies having to lie about being transmasc, for example). and trans tape is the first solution i've tried other than a binder and affirming clothes, so this is a little bit of panic over trying something for the first time in a while. and for context of the chest thing, larger than double D's, like my mom said i may be at the letter i or J. genuinely absurdly large for the rest of my body size and type. the tutorials with my chest size usually dont have my body type, so the advice/reference point for something like a binder or trans tape isnt always helpful. -tired anon <3
Tired anon, you have more than certainly come to the right place. I'm someone with a very large chest who's been using TransTape for several years now, and have taught others how to use it.
TT definitely needs to put more thought and effort into their website. So many of us have written or called over the years to complain to them the about underrepresentation of, and the lack of support for bigger folx - not many changes have resulted from it. Just because they don't have good information doesn't mean your fellows Queers won't! I haven't personally laid eyes on their tutorials in over three years, but if you have, please feel free to comment thoughts and opinions!
Surgery is a huge, life-altering decision, and it's good to really sit on that and think about it for a good long while before pursuing. If there are any, and I do mean ANY, regrets or reservations about surgery, find out what and why. Totally valid to not want to be offically diagnosed as trans! It's weird! Also, how we deeply understand the dislike for binders, they're so uncomfortable and restricting!
Okay, hope this step by step tutorial is clear and sufficient for ya'll <3
Purchase a *mineral oil free* body oil. You will be literally bathing in it, so get a smell you don't mind all too much. I recommend something with essential oils, or ingredients like: lavender, sage, rose, rose hips, peony, coconut, avocado, almond, tea tree oil (do not use if you have pets!!!), bergamot, jasmine, etc. Nice and calming on the skin, while being supportive of healing.
Purchase tape, you will need 2-3 rolls in different sizes. If you choose 2 rolls, get the 7" and the 5" sizes, you can always cut the larger one if a smaller strip is needed. There are also 4" and 3" options.
REMOVE ALL CHEST HAIR. Hairless spaces should include: bottom of your ribcage, full breasts, sides under the arms where a bra would sit, bottom half of armpits, and wherever else the tape will be placed (sometimes I do bits of my back). Don't shave to the skin though, a light stubble is suggested.
Cut lengths of tape from the different rolls. I wear a 36 or 38 F cup, and need a 4 1/2 section per strip.. Round off each length by cutting round corners on anything pointed. Tear the paper only at the first section, fold back for one section towards the larger half of paper. Set aside.
Prep skin with a quick wash (something unscented and not oily/lotiony) and pat dry; if you're a naturally oily person like myself, using an astringent immediately prior to application works best.
Apply nipple guards. Make sure to fold erect nipple over, if you don't (and you have large nipples with a large chest) your nipples will sink/collapse into themselves. It's not painful, but it feels very awkward and causes more of that gross oil buildup, which is very itchy, and scratching it will push your nipple further into itself. Bodies are weird.
Find a comfortable place to lie on your back, where you can twist around and flail slightly - I typically use my bed.
Manipulate chest meat so that your nipple is angled downwards and into your armpit. It'll almost feel like you're folding it in half, but not really. Take Largest size tape strip, attach to skin in the middle of your chest (right where your breast tissue starts) and smooth onto skin while tugging/tucking (firmly, but not super tight!!) downwards while slowing rolling you body in the opposite direction. This one is the base support, so make sure you have it in the right place. For me, this covers part of the bottom of my ribs and the entire bottom half of my breast. This is the step where I like to put some twisted up paper towel in between my fat folds - helps with moisture wicking, itchiness, and cleanliness, as I can change it out when I sweat through the previous bit of stuffing.
The second largest piece goes where the first piece needs the most help supporting. For me, that's the middle and top half of my breast. If you need a 3rd strip, make it go diagonally across what all that still needs more support. Do the first two strips lying down on your back, and do the last strip in the mirror while standing.
Wear a snug sports bra (or even a binder) for a few hours to set the adhesive in the tape. Don't put soap on it in the shower, or it'll start to peel off. I've discovered that Dr. Bronner's [Peppermint] Castille soap works incredibly well to use on/under neath the tape while bathing, and doesn't really affect the adhesive.
To remove: drown the tape in oil. Wait ten minutes. Slather more oil on. Wait another 5 minutes. Very slowly, try peeling it off. If it hurts or sting or pulls too sharply, use more oil and let it sit while you work on the easier to remove spots. Doing this during a hot, steamy shower helps to loosen the adhesive that much more. Plus, if you've been wearing said tape for more than one day, it'll get to smelling funky (like a cast or piercing) in the folds underneath the tape, and you'll want the shower from how oily you are anyway.
Everyone finds their own rhythm, don't worry if this exact method doesn't work for you! It often takes a full month to really be practiced enough with the motions, so be kind to yourself when you're using it for the first few weeks.
