Advice for the transmascs

Vince - he/him

[transmasc-advice-blog]

Intro post

***Please read the FAQ before sending an ask***

Mods:

Vince (he/him)

Arlo (he/they)

You can send an ask to give advice or ask for some! We will try our best to answer your questions and provide with resources.

Please let us know what topics you folks would like us to talk about!

There is no limit to the questions you can ask, they can be more generalized (“what binders do you find work best”) or personal (“what do i do about this specific situation”) but be decent ok. I will delete any asks or not answer any if I feel like it. If off anon, I will let you know why.

MASTERPOSTS/QUICK LINKS

Binding Resources Masterpost

How to Get a Binder Without Your Parents Knowing

How to Correct People who Misgender You

FAQ

Thanks :)

[transmasc-advice-blog]

update about what's going on in the UK right now

Puberty blockers for trans kids were banned in 2024. The average wait time to get gender affirming care with the NHS is over 5 years long. Families are being reported to social services for supporting their trans kids. In the last month, things have gotten much worse.

The NHS recently banned new HRT prescriptions for patients under 18, the minimum age used to be 16. I recommend reading this article, which explains very well how the NHS is ignoring clear research which proves that this new policy will cause a lot of harm. The amount of research done on trans healthcare is low, yet they excluded 97% of studies and claimed that there is 'insufficient evidence' that HRT works for trans youth.

The NHS also recently updated their guidance about hormone medication for minors. In this update, they are telling GPs to refuse shared care*, and they advise that "a GP should always be prepared to refer their patient for an appropriate non-routine investigation under an NHS contract" if they find out a trans kid is using puberty blockers or HRT. An INVESTIGATION.

In this update, they specifically warn against Anne Health, a private UK-based not-for-profit healthcare provider. They offer gender affirming care for people of all ages through qualified clinicians and therapists. I use Anne Health myself, and the care I have received has been absolutely amazing. They are in no way dangerous.

This means trans minors will be forced to go private, which is very expensive (especially as shared care is off the table) and, therefore, not a possibility for many people. And even then, there is the possibility of being reported to social services, so families will need to be very careful. This means GPs may not be told about medication a child is taking, meaning other aspects of their health may be affected.

These policies will affect the lives of many trans kids in the UK.

*shared care is an arrangement between a private doctor/specialist and a GP that transfers part of a patient's care to the GP, which can significantly lower costs of medications, make accessing medications more convenient, etc

[transmasc-advice-blog]

Regarding trans tape, I'm always careful removing it but find that it often pulls off during normal activity and can leave painful marks from doing that. Do you know how I can avoid that?

When putting the tape on, make sure you are rubbing a lot to activate the adhesive with the heat from your hands. Also make sure you are rounding the corners of the tape, which also prevents the tape from pulling off.

Are you wearing it for longer than 5 days? I know some people can, but for me, I always take it off after a few days because by then it is starting to peel off a bit and it also helps keep my skin healthy. The general guideline is 3-5 days.

[transmasc-advice-blog]

I'm 4 months on T and I still get periods. Is that normal? Sorry that's obnoxious as fuck lol

this was sent in a while ago, but for anyone in the same boat currently, yes that's completely normal, everyone reacts differently to testosterone. Get your T levels tested and discuss with your doctor how to move forward.

If your levels are low, upping your dose or switching to a different type of testosterone might be the next step.

Some people still get periods even when their levels are in a normal range, so sometimes they use hormone blockers to stop periods.

However, 4 months is still quite early, usually periods stop within 2-6 months, but for many people, it can take longer. So, unfortunately, you might just have to wait.

Obligatory I am not a medical professional so please talk to a doctor.

[transmasc-advice-blog]

I’ve been thinking about top surgery

But I’m worried about surgery complication

I don’t know much about it, but I sleep on my chest a lot so I’m worried ive lost my chance at getting rid of them

How dire are the chances of complication during top surgery if you frequently slept on your boobs a lot?

I am pretty certain sleeping on your chest does not impact your eligibility for top surgery. After surgery, of course, don't sleep on your chest to avoid putting pressure on it while you're healing.

I am assuming you are wondering this because you have heard using a binder can impact top surgery results, which is partly true.

Long-term binding can reduce skin elasticity, especially if you're binding all day every day. This could have minor effects on your results, but it does not make surgery impossible. Reduced skin elasticity could limit which options give the best aesthetic result, as certain techniques (like keyhole) depend on good skin elasticity.

This is of course if you're binding correctly and safely, unsafe binding could hurt your ribs and harm your overall health, which could impact surgery and healing. If the binder has caused any skin irritation, sores, or wounds, that could delay surgery. Some surgeons ask that you stop binding or bind less in the weeks before surgery, but it depends on the type of top surgery and the surgeon.

basically, binding (with a binder/compression) could affect cosmetics but does not stop you from being able to get top surgery, does not affect your safety. sleeping on your chest is not an issue at all, that is very different from compressing your chest with a binder.

i am not an expert, i have not had top surgery yet, so please correct me if i am wrong!

[transmasc-advice-blog]

How do you go about actually correcting people on your pronouns. I don’t know how to bring it up around cishets (and sometimes even around cis queer people) and i don’t pass or even really look that trans so most people don’t ask. And then they she/her me and idk how to correct them. So I just end up in this situation that I don’t know how to get out of in all areas of my life

yeah, it is very difficult and it really sucks. check out this post things i have done that have worked:

written them an email or note that was mainly about something unrelated, and i put a small note at the end about my pronouns (like; oh, by the way, my pronouns are he/him if you didn't know), or have my pronouns in my email signature

had somebody else tell them for me. if it's a teacher, i'll have another teacher tell them as they are more likely to listen and change their behaviour if a teacher corrects them and not me

or, instead of someone directly correcting them, i'll just have someone talk to them and gender me correctly in a sentence or something, however this is less direct and they may not get the memo

pronoun pin (again, not direct, and they may not see it or care)

if it is someone that it's very important to you that they gender you correctly (like you'll have to see them every day for a long time, or they're a friend or something) the best way is to talk to them. i know it's scary/uncomfortable, but it doesn't need to be a really long thing or a whole big deal. i just say 'hey, my pronouns are he/him, i'd really appreciated it if you did your best to gender me correctly'. yeah they might go on a whole tangent about how sorry they are, how they didn't know, etc etc, and it will be very uncomfortable, but at least after that, hopefully, they will gender you correctly or at least try. if they don't, give them little reminders or they just will go back to misgendering.

[transmasc-advice-blog]

Sorry for the long ask. Also tw for mentions of mental illness and sh

I ran out of trans tape while putting it on and now I don't know what to do. For one thing, I'm feeling really dysphoric right now because I had to look at my chest and then didn't even get to finish taping it. For another, I have no idea when I'll get another roll. I asked my mom earlier about getting more, and she said we'll see about it after she gets paid, but honestly I feel like it might not happen. I'm used to getting a lot of things, but we've been in a bad financial situation lately. There was a storm that damaged the house, a bunch of vet bills when our dog died, and a couple other things that have each been thousands of dollars. So nonessential things are kind of a low priority right now. Theoretically I could buy it myself, but I haven't been getting any allowance lately because I haven't done my chores. So I don't have as much money as I usually do, I normally would have 20 dollars but I currently only have 20 cents in my account. I do have a regular binder, but it's getting to be summer so between the heat, physical activity, and summer clothing, it's incredibly uncomfortable to bind. Plus I've been trying to wear it less because I've been having a lot of chest pain lately. I guess I could bring this up again and try to get my parents to understand that it actually is a big deal (I've been acting more confident about my body lately and it seems like they think my dysphoria is decreasing when actually it's just that I've been binding/taping my chest about 6 days a week lately), but I feel bad. My parents have already spent so much money on me- between therapy, dozens of medications, vegetarian food, clothing that makes me comfortable, binders, trans tape, hormone blockers, birth control, name change fees, and appointments with all the different doctors, I'm probably their most expensive child. So I feel like a jerk asking for more things. Also I feel bad because no matter what I do or what they do, I never seem to get better. I'm still dysphoric, I'm still depressed, I'm still having periods despite the birth control, I still can't sleep, I still have anxiety, and I had a sh relapse a few weeks ago. I don't want to make them spend more money when it's not going to change anything. I have another roll of trans tape, but it's the older formula which I'm allergic to. It still works, but it gives me blisters if I leave it on for more than about 12 hours. So what do I do? I think my options here are: 1) use the extra roll, 2) ask for more, 3) do some babysitting or something to earn money, or 4) just use a binder and deal with it

Unless you can think of another solution

this was sent in a long time ago, so sorry. you should try KT/athletic tape, which can be found in most pharmacies, and is a much cheaper alternative to trans tape.

don't feel bad for wanting healthcare and gender affirming items, everyone who needs that stuff deserves it, and it sucks that it's so expensive, but don't feel bad about yourself for asking for it. also don't feel bad that you still feel dysphoric and depressed, gender affirming care isn't magic, it doesn't work immediately and fix all your problems, it takes time and experimenting, and that's completely normal. be patient with yourself, don't give up

if you're still getting periods, talk to your doctor about switching to a different formula

[transmasc-advice-blog]

i have a question if you or anyone reading can help

if i were to change my name and gender legally in america then move to canada would i have to redo it once im in canada or would it automatically be what i changed it to back in america

this is meant to be anonymous btw just in case it doesnt send right

sorry this is so late! I encourage you to do your own research if you plan to do this, but i will try to help you answer that question

keep in my mind that i am not canadian i would say as long as you provide official documentation, legal name and gender changes are usually recognized in canada, and most likely you won't need to redo them.

i would assume each province or territory would have its own rules

[transmasc-advice-blog]

Hi! I heard someone once say that matcha tea can make your voice deeper? Is that true??

from what i've found, no. matcha contains antioxidants, so it could help soothe your throat, but that's about it. if you are aiming to lower your voice without testosterone, check out this post, which may be helpful! :)

[transmasc-advice-blog]

Hey kind of weird personal situation ask

I have a friend of a friend who is the only person I know in one of my double block classes and he's a cis guy and that's fine but like

He keeps pointing out that I'm small my voice isn't a manly voice and that I have boobs and he even went around asking other tables if they thought I was a girl and they said yeah

I thought I passed well before this but I've gone back to wearing my binder or a big hoodie full time at school now

I asked him if he was just joking cause I know some guys joke like that but he said "no I'm not joking". He still calls me by he/him and my preferred name (he doesn't know I'm trans and I'd asked the teacher to only call me by my last name) but it's just really uncomfortable when that's the only conversational topic ever brought up

He's made some kind of uncomfortable jokes like doing whatever the hell a "bean dip" is but he said he does that to all his guy friends so idk

How do I make this stop I'm kinda forced to be with him all semester :(

i’m assuming you don’t want to out yourself to him, so here are some ways you could go about this! i’ve never been in this situation before so sorry if this doesn’t work :/

you could say you are insecure about it because you have late puberty/hormone deficiency, and he should stop

ignore it. people tend to stop doing annoying shit if you don’t give them attention.

just say “it’s not funny man” every time or brush it off.

just find something else to talk about

honestly teenage boys are usually “rage baiting” as the kids say, he just wants attention and probably is insecure himself. don’t take it to heart! maybe try to make some other friends in your classes or stop talking to him if he continues to do this. hopefully this is helpful, you can always send an ask for any situation updates or further advice!

[transmasc-advice-blog]

I’m not transmasc (nonbinary and agender), is it alright if I’m here? I’m mainly looking for binder resources

of course! we are welcoming to everyone! transmasc, transfem, trans in some capacity, cis, gender nonconforming, anyone is welcome here!

[transmasc-advice-blog]

Binding

Binders

I found that Spectrum Outfitters worked best for me (prices range from $50-$39). I also have binders that are older and stretched out or that don’t work as well (like gc2b) that I use when I don’t need as flat of a chest because they are easier on my rib cage lol. If you do that, do NOT count that as a break!

Practice safe binding!

Don't bind for more than 8 hours

Don't sleep in a binder

Don't exercise in a binder

Get the right size

Try to only wear a binder for 5 or 6 days a week (this one is hard, I know)

If it hurts, take it off!

If you notice bruising, something is wrong! Your binder might be too small or you may be wearing it for too long.

TransTape

Wearing binders all the time is not too good for you so I recommend using a variety of different binding techniques. One is TransTape!

The reason Ace bandages are unsafe is because as you breathe it gets tighter and tighter and can really hurt you. But TransTape doesn't do that, it's like the tape athletes use when they sprain their ankle or something. It's safe as long as it is used properly. Plus, you can wear it for up to 5 days, exercise and sleep while wearing it, and it's water proof!

TransTape isn't the only brand of course, but they do have a lot of great resources.

Learn more at their website here. I recommend starting with this page and the FAQ.

KT tape is another option if you cant afford/arent allowed to order TransTape. You can find it at most drugstores and box stores for relatively cheap. The adhesive isnt as strong as TransTape, keep that in mind when applying.

Men's Compression Shirts *I have not used these myself (yet) but I hear they work pretty well*

Made for cis men with gynecomastia but hey we can use em. Obviously will work much better for smaller chests, but could still do something for bigger chests, maybe for under a hoodie?

They won't flatten you as well as binders but the goal is more to masculinize the shape of your chest than to completely flatten it. They are also safer than binders.

Other stuff

The color black will make you look flatter

Layers! Lots of layers! (don't overheat)

Sports bras

Compression bras

Button ups <3333

Resources

Pain-Free Binding Techniques | Youtube Video by Arthur Rockwell

Binding 101 - Point of Pride

Binding Safely - Spectrum Outfitters

How to Hide Your Chest (without a binder) | Youtube Video by Iris Olympia

Binder Care - Spectrum Outfitters

Please free feel to add!

[whenitgrowsbright]

also a rec from a trans taper: just get kt tape for it unless you're large chested. kt tape is cheaper than the branded transtape, and from what ive seen its almost the exact same. i say to get the branded stuff if youre large chested is because trans tape strips are wider by multiple inches, which, only difference ive seen. kt tape works nicely for me (dont know chest size, beyond being the large size of a walmart sports bra). taping is a lot better than a binder for me (as someone whos dysphoria is so extreme they put me on honest to god testosterone at age 14 in WISCONSIN, which generally is NOT done), i can actually breathe with tape on which is beautiful, but can be not so great for sensory issues. removal involves getting oily, having it on feels like having a huge ass bandaid pulling at your chest, and none of that is all too pleasant. also, it can get expensive FAST. it is a lot less awful than a binder for me, again, breathing is nice, also my back and ribs hurt less with trans tape than a binder. i can exercise also, which i love, and less chest dysphoria when showering! i can be in non total darkness, showering, and not cry!

[starskipper]

I wanted to make a separate post because I wanted to say I updated something one of my friends wears gc2b I’m repairing it I got permission to take a picture of what happened and explain

This is it and here’s what happened. A common problem with gc2b binders is the thread will disintegrate after some years especially if it’s put in the wash that’s what happened here you can see the thread frayed and snapped over time and the hem unraveled

now here’s how to fix it

I’d use this video and then make sure the thread that’s sticking out and unraveling is tied to the thread you use for the repair. This is difficult to explain what I do is I cut the disintegrated ends off and then when I’m done with the repair I sew and then tie through the ends that are sticking out from what we cut off the og thread that way it doesn’t keep unraveling one last thing gc2b has three threads that break when you see the outside where there’s two lines that’s two different threads you need to tie off and then on the inside that’s another thread to tie off just so you don’t miss any there you go

here’s more information on binders (here I compare the different fits and pros and cons of gc2b underworks and spectrum outfitters so you can pick what works best for you. I also explain how to alter them and wash them and care for them etc)

and my master list of all my information on this type of stuff (how to bind tuck pack & bras shapewear boxers binders, where to buy this stuff for cheap and how to take care of it all, washing and repairs etc)

and I’ll come back and show you what it looks like when it’s fixed

@transsexual-experiences @transmasculinehelp-blog @transmanconfessions @our-trans-punk-experience @our-transgender-experiences @our-trans-youth-experience @transmasc-advice-blog @transmasc-culture-is @transmasc-cultureis @transmanproblems @queer-mental-health @your-new-big-sibling @big-sister-blog @bigbroadvice and if you can think of anyone else to tag and share it with as always please do

I almost forgot!! This binder has some of my older alterations so we have pictures of how to take the binder in if it’s too long and rolls up at the botttom and presses on your ribs or tummy to hard

I explain how to do this alteration in my post where I go into more detail about binders This one for this last one you don’t need to use the video this is just a normal in and out stitch I’m pretty sure they’re called running stitches just pick a good thread and make yours small enough and it’ll be ok (you can also use floss)

[transmasc-advice-blog]

i know you have a master post for binding but i don’t think this is on there?? (please correct me/disregard if i’m wrong) but i’ve seen a few things here and there about trans tape causing scars or ripping skin, etc and it’s made me really nervous. is this only when using cheap/bad ones or is this possible for all kinds of trans tape?? thank you in advance

in my experience cheap tape can do that, but the biggest factor is how you remove it!

soak the tape in baby oil (or coconut oil, maybe lotion would work too) and wait a couple minutes before removing it. if you don’t have access to that, sitting in a warm soapy bath with the tape submerged will also help. make sure to moisturize the area afterwards too, and give your skin a break once in awhile from taping.

[solarcitymelodies]

Hi! Trans tape is the only way I've ever bound, here's some of my experience if that helps:

I have NEVER had it cause scarring, nor has it ever ripped my skin. I've only ever used the trans tape brand itself though, so I can only speak for that in this post.

Op is right, however; ALWAYS use baby oil (or jojoba oil, if you get a starter pack off the trans tape website that's what it comes with and it works well). And like they said also, soapy water can also work fine-ish in a pinch.

Granted I don't have very sensitive skin, so it might be different if you're especially sensitive to adhesives. I'd recommend doing a test strip if you have sensitive skin at all!!

Putting it on, I highly reccomend a light coating of milk of magnesia (yes, the laxative) on your chest before application. Trans tape is known to be pretty itchy, but with this stuff it reduces itchiness to basically nothing. It's a freaking miracle. Please use it. Only downside is that it makes the tape peel up a bit sooner than it would without it, but it's really no big deal to me.

I have had some redness when taking tape off, but that's the extent of what I've ever experienced. I use salve on my chest to help it and wear looser bras for a while if it's really itchy or sensitive or what have you. Maybe a bit TMI but my nipples can get crazy sensitive after taking tape off, I'm guessing because they aren't used to being touched after a week or so of having it on lol.

I usually wait around five days before reapplying (or, yknow, months... because I forget.....), and that gives my chest enough time usually to recover. My skin doesn't react negatively much, but if there ever is redness or sensitivity I'll wait until that subsides, then a few extra days for good measure.

Also, after taking it off there will be little balls of adhesive goop all over you. I haven't found a good protocol yet for getting rid of them, I just go to bed and they stick to my sheets instead LMAO

Sorry this is really long, and double sorry if I'm overstepping! I don't exactly fit neatly into the "transmasc" label but I DO have experience binding with tape, so I figured I'd share.

Good luck anon!

[rabbit-ina-trenchcoat]

If you go through TransTape, the company, their starter box provides you with a bottle of Jojoba oil. USE IT. I have made the mistake of just stepping into a shower to take my tape off and I have very sensitive breasts. I have never experience skin ripping but i have experienced bad irritation from the removal because I was stupid not to use oil. The oil will help break down the adhesive and it will protect your skin.

[bigbroadvice]

Howdy ho! Fellow trans tape user. The first time I tried to take it off was a NIGHTMARE. No skin ripping or anything, it just hurt like HELL. I have learned a lot in the years since then! 😁

1: When applying, don’t put tension at the ends. Lay the first inch down and rub to make sure it’s secure, then pull as you lay the rest to flatten out whatever you wanna flatten, BUT STOP PULLING an inch from the end. Lay that bit down the same way you did the first bit. That way the tape is stretched in the middle but not on the ends. This will make the tape stay on longer without pealing up, make it more comfortable both to wear and to remove, and prevent blistering around the edges.

2: Leave the tape till it’s ready to come off. I wait till it’s starting to come off on its own, which for me personally is after having it on for at least two weeks. The longer you have it on, the easier it will be to take off. If you’re swimming, sweating, or otherwise getting wet frequently, the tape will start coming off sooner. As long as I follow step one, my skin is fine with the tape on for over three weeks at a time.

[transmasc-advice-blog]

Hi!! I’m so happy I found you! My blog is for recommendations and safety instructions for pretty much everything like binding taping packing tucking padding stuffing etc and I was trying to spread it around as much as possible and get it to all the advice blogs and different trans blogs but I couldn’t find a our-transmasc-experience or a transmasc advice type blog until I found you! I have some resources for you! here is my master list of recommendations and safety instructions for them all https://www.tumblr.com/starskipper/779647764492615680/this-is-going-to-be-where-i-put-patterns-and?source=share and here is my specific one for gender and sex neutral menstrual care for trans intersex and sex repulsed people https://www.tumblr.com/starskipper/791152619993382912/i-know-i-already-tagged-you-all-but-i-want-to-do?source=share

the master list and specific posts I have linked are still in a rough draft state so the grammar is a little rough last thing is I’m always updating them all with new information I find so if you ever see a reblog of my master list make sure you go to my pinned post to check if it’s the most up to date version

thanks for sharing these resources!

[transmasc-advice-blog]

i know you have a master post for binding but i don’t think this is on there?? (please correct me/disregard if i’m wrong) but i’ve seen a few things here and there about trans tape causing scars or ripping skin, etc and it’s made me really nervous. is this only when using cheap/bad ones or is this possible for all kinds of trans tape?? thank you in advance

in my experience cheap tape can do that, but the biggest factor is how you remove it!

soak the tape in baby oil (or coconut oil, maybe lotion would work too) and wait a couple minutes before removing it. if you don’t have access to that, sitting in a warm soapy bath with the tape submerged will also help. make sure to moisturize the area afterwards too, and give your skin a break once in awhile from taping.

[solarcitymelodies]

Hi! Trans tape is the only way I've ever bound, here's some of my experience if that helps:

I have NEVER had it cause scarring, nor has it ever ripped my skin. I've only ever used the trans tape brand itself though, so I can only speak for that in this post.

Op is right, however; ALWAYS use baby oil (or jojoba oil, if you get a starter pack off the trans tape website that's what it comes with and it works well). And like they said also, soapy water can also work fine-ish in a pinch.

Granted I don't have very sensitive skin, so it might be different if you're especially sensitive to adhesives. I'd recommend doing a test strip if you have sensitive skin at all!!

Putting it on, I highly reccomend a light coating of milk of magnesia (yes, the laxative) on your chest before application. Trans tape is known to be pretty itchy, but with this stuff it reduces itchiness to basically nothing. It's a freaking miracle. Please use it. Only downside is that it makes the tape peel up a bit sooner than it would without it, but it's really no big deal to me.

I have had some redness when taking tape off, but that's the extent of what I've ever experienced. I use salve on my chest to help it and wear looser bras for a while if it's really itchy or sensitive or what have you. Maybe a bit TMI but my nipples can get crazy sensitive after taking tape off, I'm guessing because they aren't used to being touched after a week or so of having it on lol.

I usually wait around five days before reapplying (or, yknow, months... because I forget.....), and that gives my chest enough time usually to recover. My skin doesn't react negatively much, but if there ever is redness or sensitivity I'll wait until that subsides, then a few extra days for good measure.

Also, after taking it off there will be little balls of adhesive goop all over you. I haven't found a good protocol yet for getting rid of them, I just go to bed and they stick to my sheets instead LMAO

Sorry this is really long, and double sorry if I'm overstepping! I don't exactly fit neatly into the "transmasc" label but I DO have experience binding with tape, so I figured I'd share.

Good luck anon!

[rabbit-ina-trenchcoat]

If you go through TransTape, the company, their starter box provides you with a bottle of Jojoba oil. USE IT. I have made the mistake of just stepping into a shower to take my tape off and I have very sensitive breasts. I have never experience skin ripping but i have experienced bad irritation from the removal because I was stupid not to use oil. The oil will help break down the adhesive and it will protect your skin.

[transmasc-advice-blog]

i know you have a master post for binding but i don’t think this is on there?? (please correct me/disregard if i’m wrong) but i’ve seen a few things here and there about trans tape causing scars or ripping skin, etc and it’s made me really nervous. is this only when using cheap/bad ones or is this possible for all kinds of trans tape?? thank you in advance

in my experience cheap tape can do that, but the biggest factor is how you remove it!

soak the tape in baby oil (or coconut oil, maybe lotion would work too) and wait a couple minutes before removing it. if you don’t have access to that, sitting in a warm soapy bath with the tape submerged will also help. make sure to moisturize the area afterwards too, and give your skin a break once in awhile from taping.

[solarcitymelodies]

Hi! Trans tape is the only way I've ever bound, here's some of my experience if that helps:

I have NEVER had it cause scarring, nor has it ever ripped my skin. I've only ever used the trans tape brand itself though, so I can only speak for that in this post.

Op is right, however; ALWAYS use baby oil (or jojoba oil, if you get a starter pack off the trans tape website that's what it comes with and it works well). And like they said also, soapy water can also work fine-ish in a pinch.

Granted I don't have very sensitive skin, so it might be different if you're especially sensitive to adhesives. I'd recommend doing a test strip if you have sensitive skin at all!!

Putting it on, I highly reccomend a light coating of milk of magnesia (yes, the laxative) on your chest before application. Trans tape is known to be pretty itchy, but with this stuff it reduces itchiness to basically nothing. It's a freaking miracle. Please use it. Only downside is that it makes the tape peel up a bit sooner than it would without it, but it's really no big deal to me.

I have had some redness when taking tape off, but that's the extent of what I've ever experienced. I use salve on my chest to help it and wear looser bras for a while if it's really itchy or sensitive or what have you. Maybe a bit TMI but my nipples can get crazy sensitive after taking tape off, I'm guessing because they aren't used to being touched after a week or so of having it on lol.

I usually wait around five days before reapplying (or, yknow, months... because I forget.....), and that gives my chest enough time usually to recover. My skin doesn't react negatively much, but if there ever is redness or sensitivity I'll wait until that subsides, then a few extra days for good measure.

Also, after taking it off there will be little balls of adhesive goop all over you. I haven't found a good protocol yet for getting rid of them, I just go to bed and they stick to my sheets instead LMAO

Sorry this is really long, and double sorry if I'm overstepping! I don't exactly fit neatly into the "transmasc" label but I DO have experience binding with tape, so I figured I'd share.

Good luck anon!