All You Need to Know About:
Trans Tape
Trans Tape Guide: Chest Binding like a pro
Trans Tape, also known as Binding Tape, offers breathable, multi-day chest flattening for trans-masculine, non-binary, and gender-diverse folks looking for a masculine silhouette.
We get lots of questions about how to use trans tape, how it compares to chest binders, who it works for, and how to remove it without damaging the skin, so we decided to put together this guide to help bring some clarity for folks interested in getting into taping!
How does Trans Tape work?
Trans tape sticks directly to skin for customizable compression without the use of garments like chest binders. There are many tapes in the market so it's important to make sure that the one you chose is both hypoallergenic and medical-grade.
For example, our trans tape is 95% cotton/5% spandex, with medical-grade adhesive, hypoallergenic, and CE certified, meaning it has met EU health, safety, and environmental requirements to ensure consumer safety. The tape is available in 3", 4", and 6" widths, 3 skin tones + one solid tone, and each roll is 5m long.
urBasics trans tape is also water-resistant so it stays on from 3-6 days, depending on your activity level and environment. It's perfect for showers, workouts, and daily wear. The tape is versatile and works for binding, tucking, or packing.
When you're shopping for tape, you want to prioritize quality in order to protect your skin and so you can use tape regularly!
Trans Tape vs. Chest Binders
Should you use binding tape or a binder? Well, it all depends on what you want to achieve that day. Tape and binders complement each other. Think of it as adding more tools to your rotation so you can feel affirmed in different scenarios.
Tape shines in breathability and mobility but doesn't offer the flattest look ; binders offer more even compression but can't be worn overnight or for more than 8-10 hours without health risks and discomfort.
It's important to note that cis men's chests are rarely flat. So the goal with taping and binding is not to look flat but to sculpt pecs.
| urBasics Tape | Chest Binders | |
|---|---|---|
| Wear Time | 3-6 days | 8 hours max |
| Breathability | High (cotton blend) | Depends on the binder |
| Discretion | Less visible under clothes | Depending on the fabric, lines might show |
| Price | $20-30/roll | $60+ each |
| Removal | Oil peel (slower) | Simply take off (faster) |
Tips for using Trans Tape
Prep Before Applying
Prepping before starting the application can make a huge difference in your experience!
We recommend:
- If you have body hair, shave your chest the night before. Use an electric razor if you can, this will prevent the skin for breaking before application.
- After you shave, apply lotion. We recommend doing this overnight so it absorbs and doesn't' affect the tape adhesive.
- Pre-cut the tape strips depending on your chest size. Make sure to round the corners of each strip to make the application last longer.
Application Steps
1. Once your ready to start the application, make sure your chest is fully dry.
2. Cover the nipples! You can use guards or cut a section of toilet paper. Never tape without covering the nips.
Pro tip: Put a little bit of lotion in the center of the guard, this will help prevent the skin from drying too much.
3. Start with an anchor strip. Do not stretch the ends of the tape! You can stretch the middle to move the tissue back and down. Be careful not to over stretch or tape up since this will have the opposite effect.
Depending on the size of your chest, you will need more strips. It's ok to overlap them to get full coverage but make sure at least half of the tape is on the skin, otherwise it will peel off quicker.
Safety & Removal Tips
Binding tape can last up to a week for folks in colder climate or with low activity levels. If you are an avid gym-goer, swimmer, or live in a warm place, the tape will last less time.
- NEVER wrap the tape around your torso.
- On average, a tape application can las 3-6 days. Wait until the tape starts to naturally peel off to remove it. If you try to remove it too early, it's going to create tears in the skin.
- To remove, soak the tape with body-safe oil (like jojoba or coconut) for 5-10 min. Take a warm shower and use the steam to help the removal process.
- Take your time! Hold the skin as you pull the tape off. Go slowly to avoid tears.
- After care: Make sure to moisturize the chest after. We recommend letting the skin rest ideally for 24 hours, but at least overnight.
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Final Reminders