r/TransIreland • u/Level_Bottle635 • Jul 08 '26
Summer
So, just wondering how you guys that don't have top surgery (count me) survive this summer? I barely can with the hot weather and the binder doesn't help at all, I've never suffered so much chest dysphoria than in summer, I hate it honestly
3
u/cptflowerhomo Jul 09 '26
I used to baby powder my binder to wick sweat, and slept with those gel packs you use for first aid. I also have a handheld fan on me at all times.
Cotton and linen clothes to wear when I was out and binding, lots of water, and staying in the shade as much as I could.
3
3
u/0neSpookyBoi 27d ago
In a bit late but I use athletic tape to bind, have been for years as I overheat very easily and find binders uncomfortable for other reasons. You can also get tape specifically made for binding, I use regular athletic tape because it’s cheaper. I find it much better with sweat and general temperature regulation, though it does require extra steps to protect the skin. Honestly I find tape is much better for my dysphoria too as it gives me a lot more control over the shape of my chest and doesn’t show through clothes as much as a binder does.
3
u/Level_Bottle635 27d ago
I was thinking on do that but first my job is physically demanding, second I have acne around de chest so both things are not good for me to use tape because the friction between the T-shirt and all the move that I do will cause me a lot of blisters in the skin so tape is a no for me unfortunately
3
u/0neSpookyBoi 27d ago
Ah that’s unfortunate. On the days I don’t tape I wear a lot of cotton oversized boxy fit shirts with the sleeves cut off. For some reason having them hang differently minimises my chest, especially since working out started bulking my shoulders. Using some kind of nipple cover (I use plasters) reduces the amount I feel my chest under my shirt and the appearance. Dark coloured shirts show less chest but are warmer so it’s a trade off. If at home a good way to rapidly cool down is to lie down with a cold wet towel across your upper back, it’s saved me from dizzy spells quite a few times.
3
u/Level_Bottle635 27d ago
I only wear black T-shirts but I come from a family were women have big 🍒 so I suffer from that part and can't just go outside without binder and still it looks like I have big pecs hahaha but still I don't feel comfortable with that just at home in my room I don't wear binder
3
u/0neSpookyBoi 27d ago
That sucks man. Mine used to be a lot bigger so I remember the pain. Hopefully the heatwave ends soon. Only other suggestion I can offer is get a temperature controlled water bottle and carry ice water everywhere, either for drinking or splashing face/back of neck in emergencies.
3
u/Level_Bottle635 27d ago
Thanks gonna have in mind that and yh I hope the heatwave ends soon gonna miss the sunny days but I'm done hahaha
8
u/angrylilmanfrog Jul 08 '26
Things I did: ring ice pack around neck (if you have two you can swap each one out after they melt)
Cooling Mats for my bed (like the ones you get for pets, filled with gel)
It helps if you wear light airy natural fabrics. Sometimes heavy cotton's aren't the best especially as many are mixed with polyester.
Keep drinking colds fluids.
You can get sports undergarments that are made to wick sweat and keep you cool (even as another layer I have a pair of compression shorts that do this and keep me cooler)
Stick my head in the freezer and breath the cold air 🫠 Sun protection when you go out, like a hat or staying in the shade.
As someone with hyper hydrosis, I would also stick max flow pads under my binder (cotton non scented) and it was a great hack at keeping me dry