There is something id like to add after reading some of the comments here .
Binding has been part of womens history in many forms. Some good, some not. And the negative 'concepts' that some people have about it, (ie needing medication instead, that its bad, or what is the point etc....), i truly think are nothing more than uneducated opinions.
Which do more damamge than good.
My daughter chest binds. Not every day , but on days she's feeling 'neutral or unfeminine'. She spent time researching it. (So did i). She bought about three binders before she found one that fits well and is comfortable.
Sometimes she just side tapes, (which movies stars do all the time for deep cleavage plunging dresses.)
[Note: get the right tape. Some can cause irritation]
Ive helped make sure that her binders fit well, (and have had to alter some).
A good binder is extremely similar to a bra, and (compared to some aweful supportless bras out there ), can in fact often offer superior support.
[ Binders should be worn for just a few hours at first. One should never jump in and wear it all day....this is when discomfort can happen. Comfort is ESSENTIAL - never put up with it - it means it doesnt fit right]
If you are concerned about someone you know wanting to do this, (or is doing it), id show intrest, and help them out.
Too many young girls can try this in ignorance - and get it wrong, bind too tight, use the wrong thing to bind with, bind the wrong way ....and it can cause skin issues, back and chest pain etc.
It is just like corsets - it is an aesthetic that makes one feel comfortable with their appearance.....but done wrong, can be unhealthy.
I once met a young woman who wore a corset everyday . The reason being, sje was waiting for back surgery - and the corset offered her back support, without needing daily pain medication, so she could keep working.
Theres no right and wrong here, its more about doing it properly and safely.
For comparison: highheels do more structural bone and posture damage than a chest binder does. 🤷♀
This is from an orthopedic site.
Its not a binder - it's a 'sports bra' - which flattens thr boobs and stops bounce with high imact sports. But as you can see - it basically does exactly what a binder does.
