Recently, I have been hearing about damages in binding and I was wondering how to reduce that risk? I plan to be wearing a duck tape binder (Tank top with duck tape around) around school which will be around 6 am. to 3:00 pm. Typically, when I do wear a binder I don't leave it on for a long time. I automatically take it off when I get home, and I don't bind until around 10-20 mintues before I leave. So for five days a week would this cause rib cage damage or scar tissue damage?

I don't have large breasts persay? I am a D? Maybe even a C? And my medium shirts cover me pretty well.

Also, is there a safer way to bind? Or is Duck tape find to use? I do have a binder from underworks but it turns out I just bought it way to small. There's no way I am going to get the binder on.

Which brings me to my next question.

When ordering from T-Kingdom & Underworks, where do I measure for the size? I went to where my rib cage is which would be around 35 inches but the binder for that was waayy too small. I want to breathe when I walk around, and actually want to get the binder on.

So any help on binding would be helpful

I bought the double-front from Underworks (although I'm only an A - as a C you might find the tri-top more effective.

How you measure it is, you measure round the ribcage just under the moobs, and then again over the top (biggest part) and then take the average of those two sizes. (This is how it works for Underworks anyway. T-K might be different? Never bought one from there).

I was right inbetween Small and Medium. First one I got was small but I found it too tight and only tolerable to wear for 4-6 hours. When I replaced it I got a medium - binds just as well and is comfortable enough I can literally wear it all day and breathe easily.

I can't imagine duct tape would be comfortable at all.

Duct tape is NOT fine to use. It has no elasticity and therefore does not allow you to breath or move as needed. It can cut in to your skin quickly and is very hard to remove even with a shirt under it. You may have to cut the shirt to remove it. The tape will curl and make it painful and the curl makes it difficult to remove the shirt or tape.  This comes from experience.

If you must use a cheap homemade binder, get a neoprene back support such as athletes use. It is adjustable and stretches when needed and easy to remove when you need to do so. Ace bandages would be better than duct tape and that method is also not a good solution.

Quote from: MarcoMacabre on August 01, 2010, 01:04:25 AM
Or is Duck tape find fine to use?

Ow, don't try it.

I only bound with duct tape once, and found it messy, painful and weird looking: I ended up with flesh heading in different directions. But really, it's the painful bit that means I'll never go there again.

I used to use gorilla tape (basically really strong duct tape) to school before I had my binder. After a week I was bruised, my lungs hurt, and it was messy to get on and off. If you have no other option then I would suggest an ace bandage as loose as you can deal with and still feel good about your chest being flat, too tight and it can still cause damage. I don't know for sure how much the back support thing would cost but it sounds like a great idea.

if you're skinny you could try something like this http://www.select-sport.com/Images/Tilbehoer/576%20Elastic%20Thigh%20Support.jpg as a diy binder. back braces have been used as well. my recommendation would be to buy an actual binder as soon as you can afford it.

I used duct tape once. I used ace bandages (successfully) once. Both I feel are equally horrible. Underworks either the tri-top or double front give the best "bang for your buck."

T kingdom sizes are weird. For underworks I'm in between a medium and large. T-kingdom I bought an XL and it was considered "too small."

Duct tape = bad. I've never done it, and I never plan to. If you need to use something besides an "official" binder, use ace bandages, or an abdominal binder. I would recommend the abdominal binder; it's easier to get on and off, moves with your body more, and lets you breathe as long as you don't pull it too tight.

What is the difference between a Tri-Top and a Double?
I am currently ordering one from underworks (My father doesn't support much so ordering a binder is difficult which is why I didn't order one so I just very lightly ask to buy one.)

So the problem is now how to buy one that will not be too small.

Measurement Under chest - 37/38
Largest width- 41
Under Armpits - 37 1/2

The tri-top has 3 layers in the front and the double has two. The double is full length (reaches down to your bum like a tank top), the tri-top stops towards the bottom of the ribs. 39 inches is the measurement you would use when buying a binder from underworks. I think some binders are sized differently (39 might be a medium or large I think).