anyone got ideas/tips on how to bind without a binder😭 or how to fix chest dysphoria
cause genuinely i don’t think i can do much without one (38DD/38DDD ish [depends on brand idefk] for reference) and no matter WHAT I do it doesn’t do anything
i’ve tried the tank top, spotts bras, ace bandages, duct tape once, (never again that was terrible 0/10), and basically every other fucking diy method and none of them work
I don’t think i can do anything without a binder (not ever sure a binder would work the way i want it to atp)
so ig does anyone have ideas on what to do? or how to reduce the dysphoria?
(dont post if anon didnt work pls)
Good lord! That sounds like hell! The only cure for dysphoria is gender-affirming care, so ill show you a tutorial on proper safe diy binding. And you are right there's size limits with binders, but if you did manage to get one I'd recommend a spectrum outfitters because they work the best with big chests and underboob too, and their fabric is the most comfortable.
But please don't use duct tape, and ace bandages aren't good for this either, they're both very dangerous and not built for this kind of compression and duct tape isn't for skin. You need to fact-check and make sure what you use is safe, or else you'll seriously hurt yourself. To start, I want to debunk these other methods tried and explain why they didn't work and weren't safe so you understand what I'm going on about. duct tape will absolutely rip skin, you can't sweat through it, and it doesn't stretch, and ace bandages are known for compressing too much putting too much pressure and bruising ribs and loads of other injuries, they're both just not made for this kind of compression, and like I said up there duct tape isn't made for skin at all. Tank tops and sports bras only work if you have very little chest fat, so of course, I can see why it didn't work here.
Lastly before I get into it, you said "and every other diy method" implying that these are all diy methods people are using, but I've never even heard of duct tape being used or recommended, and everyone I've seen always warns against using ace bandages and warns that tanks and sports bras don't work for everyone, and trying to use one to bind if they don't fit you can be dangerous, you never size down it's not safe. So I don't know where you got this information from, but these aren't common or safe diy methods. I would be very cautious with that source from now on, remember to fact check any advice you get, especially when it has something to do with your body. I don't want you or anyone else getting hurt.
Now for the recommendations, for binding, I'm recommending kt tape. Trans tape is good and basically the same thing, but more expensive, and it has the word trans in it so it would out you, you also have to order it online, but you can kt tape at most home goods stores or sports stores. This is the best tutorial I have on using it, the man in the video is binding DD-DDD/E-F so it should cover what you need. He uses milk of magnesia for a skin protection, and kt tape for the tape. Just please remember your nipple covers and watch the entire tutorial before you make an attempt. Good luck out there, and please be safe! I almost forgot, jojoba oil is best for removal, and here's more information on all that, you need to remove tape with oil it doesn't come off(painlessly) otherwise because it's waterproof.
And when it comes to diminishing dysphoria in general, it would help to get thicker material big boxy shirts to sleep in so that way everything is less visible, and you can feel it all less. And if you get shirts with darker colors, it'll trick your brain and look even less noticeable. A loofa is nice too, that way you can shower without actually having to touch anything directly, it also makes showers faster. And there's always the old trick of showering in the dark or mostly in the dark with a night light, but only if you can keep balance safely in the shower in dimmer lighting or dark. But those are general guesses and dysphoria is going to be different for everyone, here's more information on dysphoria, again good luck.
-starskipper
