For many people using a binder can be absolutely life-changing and lifesaving, but only if it’s done safely.
Jenny Chang / BuzzFeed
What exactly is chest binding?
Good starting question, glad you asked! Binding is a technique used to minimize the appearance of a person's breasts. Some transgender men or gender-nonconforming individuals use binders (compression undergarments that look like spandex-y T-shirts) to bind the breasts to the body, creating a flatter chest.
A typical binder is not only very tight but usually made of durable nylon and spandex — making them notoriously uncomfortable to wear.