How To Tape (Chest Binding Focused)

Reaction Testing:

Please test tape on skin twice for 24 hours each before use in sensitive areas, in case of unexpected skin reaction, or order our low-cost skin test strip kit before purchasing a roll!

Storage:

Please store your tape below 80°F / 27°C. Prolonged exposure to high temperatures including sitting in the sun for a long time before use will decrease the strength of the adhesive. Our tape normally sets on the skin with the user's body heat, damage to the adhesive can lead to the tape never setting on the skin properly.

Application:

More detailed portrait-orientation application directions can be found at the bottom of this page.

Apply to CLEAN DRY skin. Tape may take up to 30 minutes to set on the skin, which means it can be easily removed or adjusted if initial placement is not satisfactory. Do not overstretch the tape when applying - it is better to use you hand to shape the tissue rather than just using the tension of the tape to flatten it. Stretching the tape too much can cause skin irritation. DO NOT WRAP AROUND THE ENTIRE CHEST OR RIBCAGE. You may wear a binder over it to help it set in the ideal shape, as the tape can be safely worn with a binder without constricting the ribs more than the binder would on its own. Rounding the corners of the tape while cutting it to the desired size can increase the life of tape by preventing peeling of  the edges.

Removal:

While this tape can be removed by simply soaking in warm water, for those with sensitive skin it is best to soak in natural oils like almond, grapeseed, coconut, olive or even canola or corn oil (we suggest avoiding petroleum products like baby oil if you do not want to risk increasing estrogen levels) to release the adhesive. Slowly peel away in same direction as applied and avoid pulling against the grain of your body hair. When used on chests, we recommend wearing for 3-5 days so that the adhesive can weaken before removal. Tape is easiest to peel off with minimal residue after working out or sweating! Oil can also remove any adhesive residue you might have on your skin. To avoid nipple pain during removal, apply our nip covers before putting tape on. Some people may also chose to shave if their body hair makes the removal process painful.

Swimming, Washing and Hygeine:

Tape should be applied to clean dry skin. Please wait for the tape to set before putting on deodorant, sunscreen, or moisturizing near the taped area. Do not apply body oil around the region until you are ready to remove the tape. Oil weakens the adhesive and will make the edges peel. If applying sunscreen, we recommend using oil-free sunscreen around the taped area as well.

Our body tape is "waterproof" in that it can be worn in the water, but it will get wet and let water pass through it. It is easier to remove the tape when wet, so here are some tips on keeping the tape in good condition when you don't want to remove it:

• Round the corners of the tape while cutting it to size.
• Allow the tape to set for at least 30 minutes before swimming.
• Do not rub or scratch against at the edges of the tape.
• If washing the chest with soap, scrub in the lengthwise direction of the tape while holding any corners in your path down, to avoid degrading the edges of the tape. If you need to scrub along the edge, be careful to scrub along the edge (parallel to the edge) rather than against it. 
• Since the tape is made of nylon, it may stay wet for a while after getting out of the water, especially if you use multiple layers of tape. If using a towel to dry, pat dry the tape by pressing the towel against your chest. Don't rub the towel back and forth or it can pull up the edges of the tape and get lint on the adhesive. If you prefer air drying, you can use a blow dryer on a low heat setting to dry the tape faster!

 

Safety and Additional Notes:

GenderBender Extra Soft Body Tape is safe for binding as long as it is not wrapped around the entire chest - see graphic below. Taping can be better than a traditional binder as it does not restrict, constrict or compress your body or organs at all. Taping allows for greater range of motion, mobility and breathing. It is more discreet than binding as it does not cover the back, chest or shoulders (as seen here) and is generally not visible under your garments. The wave pattern of the adhesive provides a strong bond that is breathable and less irritating than full coverage adhesive. This tape we have developed is MUCH softer and more comfortable than other binding tapes sold on the market, because it is made with fine nylon rather than rough cotton or polyester, and should only have 10-15% stretch as compared to the 35% stretch in TransapeTM which can lead to painful blistering, scarring and skin irritation from over-stretching during application. For best results on chest, after applying to the inner breast, use one hand to flatten the tissue into the desired shape while rolling the remaining tape onto your side without stretching it as pictured above. To avoid additional pain during removal, apply our nip covers over nipples before applying tape.

We also offer a zero stretch option for drag that acheives a very flat bind, but we only recommend it for performers & short term use! Please remove with oil.

We offer small Skin Test Kits to try on if you are concerned about skin reactions, for those who have had trouble with body tapes in the past. We use medical grade acrylic adhesive, so allergy is uncommon, but discomfort is still possible for those with very sensitive skin. Please try twice for 24 hours before use in sensitive areas. This sample strip will not be large enough to use for binding. We want people to buy a whole roll for that attempt, because it takes time to perfect individual application technique, so we don't want people to think that it doesn't work for them after trying only once.

More detailed portrait-orientation application directions: