Binding is a method of reducing the appearance of a person's chest and can be a way to minimise gender dysphoria. While it's important to remember that there is no one way to look non-binary or trans, it's also important that you feel happy, safe and gender euphoric! 

Below are some tips from LGBT Foundation and Pink News about how to bind safely.

The LGBT Foundation recommends following these safety guidelines:

1. Acquire a binder from a reputable source such as GC2B in the US or Spectrum Outfitters in the UK and expect that it may take a while to find a binder that fits you well

2. Measure your chest area as instructed by the supplier’s website

3. Listen to your body and take a break if you need to — especially in the summer when it’s hot

4. Talk to a professional if you experience any pain while binding

5. If possible, ask someone to help put on and take off your binder at first so you can learn to safely put it on correctly

Wearing a binder: What to avoid

The LGBT Foundation recommends the following:

1. Do not use Ace bandages or Duct tape to bind with—they are not meant for binding, don’t move with your body and can cause physical harm

2. If you are between sizes, opt for the larger size—you can always return it if it turns out to be too big

3. Do not regularly bind for more than eight to 10 hours at a time—take breaks and days off if you’re just going to be at home

4. Do not double bind–alternatives such as wearing two t-shirts are a healthier way to give the impression of a flatter chest

5. Do not sleep in your binder or wear it for exercise—you can wear a swimming binder or a sports bra

Find out more about how akt supports trans young people.

Genderswap supports trans and gender-conforming individuals with clothing and outreach

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