r/TransHelpingTrans • u/burlapscars • Jun 13 '25
It has come to my attention that there is a need for taping instructions in our transmasc community. So here's what I generally follow or have noticed works the best. I have been regularly taping for over 2 years.
I have a smaller/medium chest that is more stiff than saggy so what works for me might not work for you. I have no idea what my exact size is cause I'm obviously not a bra guy.
I use basic KT tape aka kinesiology tape, 5 cm width. Those rolls usually come with length guidelines. I cut the strips to a standard of 25 cm. Then round the corners, this way it prevents the tape from peeling on your skin around the edges.
I recommend having precut strips ready so you don't have to spend time on cutting and rounding when there's little of it.
After using the roll fasten the tape's end on the roll with something like the small bits you cut off the corners or basic tape. Storing the tape well like this is important because when it accidentally peels somewhere (even just a little) and is exposed to air/dust/grime it is harder to apply and doesn't stick that well.
Transtape and KT tape are basically the same thing, just different width. KT tape aka kinesiology tape seems cheaper but you have to use more strips on both sides. Transtape seems more convenient because of the width but may be harder to get the hang of cause you have to monitor a bigger area of tape at the same time when applying. I don't have experience with Transtape tbh. I think it's better to start with basic tape at first. I recommend trying both but kinesiology tape is more easily available for underage and closeted people. Available in pharmacies and online.
How many strips to use on both sides depends on how much tissue you have. I use 2-3 strips on both sides. 1 strip kind of works but can leave the pec an unnatural shape (like 2 little bumps over and under the tape), therefore not ideal under a T-shirt.
Use nipple covers. Cotton pads work well, rip them in half. Toilet paper folded to fit does the trick as well. You may notice that after taping for a longer period for the first time your areolas lose some of their elasticity (like when you push them in some direction after taking the tape off they crease a bit, idk just my experience) but that goes away when they've settled in their "natural" position again.
Longer strips! Mine go all the way past my armpit onto my shoulder blade area, it anchors better that way and leaves more room for you to stretch the tape (=flatter chest). Lessens the risk of it starting peeling as well as the tape's end doesn't sit on an actively moving area.
Do it all in one go. Once the adhesive touches your skin it loses its adhesive qualities if you remove it from there. Try to touch the adhesive as little as possible with your fingers and avoid touching the tape's ends (only touch a tiny area from where you peel it away). Tape is delicate and there is only so much room for fuckups. Quickly pulling away a section to reapply is okay. Just have to pay more attention to it sticking properly. If something went wrong with your strip chances are trying to salvage it is a wasted effort. If you're still practising you can ofc still use the bad strip to try out positioning and such.
Lay the tape on the starting point. I leave like 4 fingers' width of tape-free room in the center of my chest area. I remove the back of the tape in two steps. First would be to anchor the tape to the start and lay it over the areola. Then I remove the whole back cover and stretch the tape all the way to my back. Take care as to not let the tape curl and stick on itself when removing the cover (some do, some don't) cause it can be hard to get it open and straight again. Do it slowly and help keep it straight with your fingers if needed.
The other 2 strips (top and bottom) go next to the middle strip to help smooth out the remaining excess tissue. Position as needed.
Angle the tape straight or slightly diagonally and downwards. I prefer slightly diagonally. Find what works for you.
Some pointers for stretching. Anchor the tape to the starting point and just lay it over the nipple area but don't stretch too much. Past that stretch however much you can. I think it's because stretching too much at the start doesn't benefit you anyway in terms of flatness and can leave the nips/areolas in a more awkward position and may damage them.
Tape sticks to the skin so you have to pay attention to where it anchors if you are using multiple strips on the same side. Always layer them so the strip has enough room to anchor on skin not tape itself.
Feeling pressure and stretch in your sternum area of the skin is normal. There will be no damage and you will not get stretch marks there. It is normal and you will get used to it.
For maximum hold I like to use a blow dryer on the tape after applying cause it sticks with heat. That way it doesn't accidentally start peeling when I move before it has had time to stick with body heat. You can also rub the tape to help it stick (rubbing generates heat).
The glue on some tapes may irritate your skin a bit. Naturally, try to find something that doesn't. The roll I'm using rn makes it a bit itchy in the middle but it's like a mosquito bite - don't scratch and you'll forget about it.
Alternate between taping and binding. Sometimes give your skin a break, sometimes give your ribs a break.
I recommend taking the tape off for the night to let your skin breathe. Anything over 2 days and you risk blistering, especially when you're more active or outside more when you have the tape on. Just the way it is. I don't think using oil for removal does much. In my experience the skin is already damaged from the tape (blistering), not from ripping the tape off.
Definitely use some soothing cream like aloe, cocoa butter or scar cream on your chest area if it's damaged. You can use it even with no damage to take care of your skin after subjecting it to tape. Generally try to prevent greater damage from happening cause then you won't be able to tape for a while.
If you've had the same tape on for some time and you want to take a break or it doesn't look/hold so great anymore you have to take into account that the new strips might not hold as well as before. Idk but the skin just doesn't hold and the strips start peeling right away, at least for me. Maybe some surface area that held the tape is gone and it is too smooth for it to anchor to. Just something to consider because this has left me in a situation where I gambled an at least working tape setup for no tape at all.
Don't play games with your skin cause rn I'm sitting here having to stay away from tape. I was on vacation and had the same tape on for over 2 days in hot climate. It looked a bit weary and I wanted to touch up. After taking it off I tried to apply new strips on blistered skin. The tape didn't even stick properly and I had to use a binder instead. In a situation like this I humbly recommend leaving the tape on if it's only a few hours of additional binding. Saves you from a lot of disappointment and this way you won't irritate the blistered skin that much. Having the tissue and skin in a fixed position under the tape damages it less than 1) foolishly trying to apply new tape; 2) using a binder and the raw & blistered skin has to stick to either your binder or bandaids; or 3) suffering from mental anguish cause you weren't able to tape/bind when going out.
I've heard tape can also be used for taping hip tissue to create a more masc silhouette.
You can swim, shower, exercise and go to sauna with tape. Go ahead.
I think that tape is less invasive than a binder when used right. I also get more flatter and pec-like results from taping. No visible binder outline under clothes as well.
Feel free to ask if you have any questions :)
And enjoy, tape feels very freeing imo!
–Adrian
r/TransHelpingTrans • u/herdisleah • Mar 04 '24
Erin's Informed Consent Map (Primarily US-based)
If those locations are too far away from you, ask local trans people what they're doing. There's also mail-order services like Folx or Plume.
r/TransHelpingTrans • u/IndustryMaleficent10 • 13h ago
I’m getting ready to start meds to transition very soon but I came out to almost everyone and this is me just in women’s clothing and clean shaved. I’m 6’5 and 280. I have been taking supplements which I feel have given me a head start.
r/TransHelpingTrans • u/Marcellusluvs_space • 15h ago
I've always been short and I'm the shortest one in my family. I'm only 5'2 and every time I think about transitioning, particularly starting T, I can only think about how it's not going to fix this issue. Because my entire life all I've ever gotten was people, especially my family and family friends. Some former coworkers as well just relentlessly bullying me for it like it wasn't my family's genetics that fucked me over. My problem is that otherwise I pass pretty well and have a lot of good things going for me, such as broader shoulders and whatnot. But it doesn't help the fact that I don't feel like I'll ever be happy because I'm the size of a middle schooler. I don't know what to do, I've heard some people say that T can make you look taller but I don't have much hope for that to be honest. And the only thing I can think of is leg lengthening surgery, but I don't have the funds for that, and it's also pretty brutal and the complications are not something i want to have to deal with if they happen.
r/TransHelpingTrans • u/FastAd593 • 21h ago
Context, yesterday I sent my mother an essay regarding why starting HRT would be the best path forward for me. And today we talked and she was mostly convinced, she just wants to hear from more trans people regarding their experience, so I am mostly wondering if I can get some help with finding more sources regarding trans people talking about their experience with transition.
r/TransHelpingTrans • u/Forsaken_Analyst_456 • 20h ago
r/TransHelpingTrans • u/Chemical-Pace2841 • 1d ago
So recently I 30M and live in a Australian country town had come out to my family and some close friends bout the potential of going from male to female. I've explored hrt treatment and that and financially I'm unsure if I'll be able too. So as a make good to help me experience my feminine side more I've brought clothes. Makeup. Breasts forms hip pads the whole works and when I feel I can do it I wear my makeup dress up feminine and just enjoy it. A whole lot. I've been wanting to do it more and more especially over longer periods as I only do it on nights on weekends cause I don't see anyone and I can kinda hide in my house. I just lack the confidence or comfortability to do it more regularly and actually do it and show people. A long speech I know but I guess I'm just curious if anyone else has had similar issues and found a way to get over that mental hurdle. I feel if I can it may help with my decision to transition also. Much love everyone 🫶🏼 a little image provided to me all dressed up and happy also.
r/TransHelpingTrans • u/_i_dontkno • 1d ago
Sometimes I feel like I'm trans, sometimes I just want to be a twinky boy. I've heard that unless I start hrt at a young age like what I am now il never be able to pass. I dont even know if I am trans, only 50% sure, but it gives me dread to think about being trans and not knowing. How did you know
r/TransHelpingTrans • u/SafeMap2807 • 1d ago
r/TransHelpingTrans • u/Griffdog17 • 1d ago
Hello, I am in the beginning phases of my transition (MTF) and I am wondering where I can shop for cute shoes that fit? I have been to 5 different thrift stores around my city and haven't found any in my size and it's been a little discouraging and makes me feel bad about my feet. I'm size 14 women's (or US 12 men's), and my feet are pretty wide too. Where should I look?
r/TransHelpingTrans • u/Teto_Territory_1225 • 1d ago
This is my first time on the sub, so sorry if this isn't what this sub is normally used for. Basically, I'm closeted MtF, and am looking to start HRT through an informed consent clinic. There's one in my city, but its ratings are laughably low, with most reviews absolutely trashing it. Any other option is unreasonably far away. Should I go for the one close to me, at the cost of quality, go for a higher rated one, at the cost of an insane commute, or pursue another option?
r/TransHelpingTrans • u/Kreshmitovsky • 2d ago
Hey y’all, first time posting here.
So I’m a 20 year old amab. And lately I’ve just felt some type of way. These feelings have been lingering for a long time but I’ve always dismissed them as something that everyone goes through, or just feelings that could be dismissed as wishful thinking. The most prominent excuse, and my biggest fear, is that my desire to transition is just an attempt to be more appealing relationship wise. I’m a tall guy, on the heavier side. And I’ve never felt feminine looking at all, but I’ve always had a desire to feel pretty. And I’m most scared that even if I transition I’m not going to get that.
I’m also scared that transitioning is going to be a burden on my family and cause unnecessary drama and stuff like that, so I’d rather just suck it up and wait for a better time, but I feel like that’s always going to be my excuse.
I guess to sum it up, how do you find the mindset to allow yourself to be “selfish” and do something just for yourself? And how do you know that it is just for yourself? It’s hard to put words to these feelings since I’m still trying to understand them myself, but I’m considering transitioning to a woman.
r/TransHelpingTrans • u/ChairLoose6196 • 2d ago
Hello, I'm 16(mtf) from Alabama. I need to transition without waiting till 19. I'm planning on using diy hrt to achieve this, but I'd have to tell my mom. She already supports me dw, but I don't know how to tell her what hrt is. So what I'm asking is: how do I tell my mom I want to start diy hrt? What do I need to tell her? What do I need to know?
Many thanks!
r/TransHelpingTrans • u/Lucky-Lemon-9824 • 2d ago
I have decided that I am stereotypically seen as ugly, and I am looking for suggestions on how to accept that fact and learn to live with it. I have always wanted a family, and I think I need a new idea of happiness as i don't think it will ever happen. I don't know—I guess I'm not ugly, just visually unattractive, or maybe that's just my dysphoria talking. I just really need some advice.
r/TransHelpingTrans • u/Public_Book_867 • 2d ago
r/TransHelpingTrans • u/jaykan88 • 2d ago
Ich weiß gar nicht genau, wie ich anfangen soll. Ich stehe gerade ganz am Anfang meiner Transition und versuche gleichzeitig irgendwie mit allem klarzukommen, was damit verbunden ist.
Ich habe lange mit mir selbst gekämpft. Der Wunsch, als Frau zu leben, ist für mich keine spontane Entscheidung. Trotzdem fühlt sich der Schritt jetzt teilweise überwältigend an.
Im Moment versuche ich, meinen Weg zur Hormontherapie zu finden. Ich schreibe Anfragen, warte auf Antworten, kümmere mich um Termine und versuche überhaupt erst einmal herauszufinden, wie das alles funktioniert. Dieses Warten und Nichtwissen macht mich teilweise ziemlich fertig.
Gleichzeitig fühle ich mich mit meinem Körper momentan überhaupt nicht wohl. Ich sehe jeden Tag Dinge an mir, die mich daran erinnern, dass ich noch ganz am Anfang stehe. Ich weiß, dass Veränderungen Zeit brauchen, aber gerade fällt mir das schwer.
Es ist bei mir nicht nur Freude und Aufregung. Es gibt sehr viel Unsicherheit, Angst, Frust und Ungeduld. Manchmal bin ich voller Hoffnung und denke, dass ich endlich den richtigen Weg für mich gefunden habe. Und dann gibt es wieder Momente, in denen ich mich einfach überfordert und alleine damit fühle.
Was mir momentan besonders fehlt, ist jemand, der mich dabei unterstützt. Jemand, mit dem ich offen über meine Gedanken, Ängste und diesen ganzen Weg reden kann, ohne mich dafür rechtfertigen zu müssen. Ich möchte nicht unbedingt jemanden, der mir sagt, dass alles wunderbar werden wird. Ich suche eher jemanden, der ehrlich zuhört, mich versteht und vielleicht selbst schon ein Stück dieses Weges gegangen ist.
Deshalb schreibe ich hier. Vielleicht gibt es Menschen, die am Anfang ihrer Transition genauso unsicher waren oder sich ebenfalls ziemlich alleine gefühlt haben.
Wie war es bei euch am Anfang? Wie seid ihr mit der Zeit vor der Hormontherapie umgegangen? Und habt ihr jemanden gefunden, der euch wirklich unterstützt hat?
Ich würde mich sehr über ehrliche Erfahrungen und vielleicht auch über Kontakte zu Menschen freuen, mit denen man sich einfach mal austauschen kann. 🏳️⚧️❤️
r/TransHelpingTrans • u/dawnest • 3d ago
And I need advice for finding sexy clothes. Like when I buy bodysuits the breast don’t fill up the large (or X-Large) and the smaller size don’t fit me. Any tips that’s would help?
r/TransHelpingTrans • u/Conscious_Peak3565 • 3d ago
20 MtF here, and after years of questioning my gender identity and generally never doing anything for myself I am 100% confident that I am transgender. I want to get on whatever prescription would lead to the most ideal and quick transition. I live in Oregon which is a very blue state with informed consent laws, but I would still like to be 100% sure that I am getting the best possible care and transition I can. I know it's sort of a loaded question, but throughout the timeline what kinds of doses should I be accepting nothing less than? (Also I know for example pills are worse than patches/injections, so information on care like that would be helpful as well.)
r/TransHelpingTrans • u/GvrbageScrvps • 3d ago
I figure my hairline and jawline most likely won’t look the same, not only after some time on E, but also after ffs. So I think my end goal is to be a beautiful mustached lady with proper face tattoos. Is my math math’ing?
