Lesser-known ing tips (FtM)

Heya!

Now, there are already a LOT of resources on ing for FtM's, however, most of these resources basically just reiterate the same few tips that we all know (binding, thicken your eyebrows, buy men's clothes, etc). So, I decided to make a post of some lesser known tips and tricks for y'all. Some of this is new, some of it is more revisions on either false information or misunderstandings regarding certain tips.

Without further ado; let's begin!

Binding/chest

Now, there's not much new regarding binding, however there IS a lot of misinformation, this section is mostly here to dispell myths about binding and binding techniques.

"Cheap binders are a good substitute"

This is a lie, and a dangerous one at that.

You know the kind, the cheap, uncomfortable binders you can buy for about £10 on eBay or Amazon. They're dangerous as all hell.

I don't care if you personally have never had an issue, these binders aren't at all a good substitute. They're not made for long-term wear, they don't fit correctly, they're not breathable and they're not made to last.

For the love of god save your ribs and bank because these binders are NOT worth the health risks or the money.

Please, just double up on sports bras or save up for a binder from a reputable company, stop giving these faux sellers your money for a product that will hurt you.

Transtape/medical tape

when this was a thing? Well I'm glad it's gone.

When used one of the more common ways, by wrapping it around your chest, it's literally just as bad as ace bandages and causes just as much damage. Cracked ribs, ribs flat out caving in, breathing problems, the whole shebang.

When used in two strips (pulling your breast tissue either side to flatten your chest) it pulls on the tissue and, when used over long periods of time, it can cause issues with: tissue elasticity, circulation in the breast tissue, rashes and irritation, etc. All of which can royally fuck with your future top surgery results and in some cases can flat out prevent you from ever getting top surgery if the damage is severe enough.

The myth of a "safe" DIY binder

In truth, there's no such thing as a safe DIY binder, even properly made binders from reputable companies come with risks, and DIY binders are far more susceptible to this.

Binders made out of old jeans and t-shirts and other methods aren't safe for long term use. Sorry, but it's a fact and it's something you need to know. They're not properly measured, the fabric can often be far too restricting and they distribute uneven pressure on your chest, which again can cause tissue elasticity problems, circulation issues that can result in tissue death, etc.

As much as you want to bind, if you don't have access to proper binders or at a maximum two sports bras, don't do it. If you're going to be binding that way for an extended period of time it WILL fuck you up one way or another.

Haircuts!

A shorter haircut ≠ a masculine one!

Getting your hair cut shorter will not - depending on facial structure and how common short hair on women is in your area - immediately make you more masculine.

In fact, certain shorter hairstyles can make you look even more femme than you already were.

For example:

The "can I speak to the manager" haircut.

Now, some people can look masculine in this, however as a general rule try to avoid it. This is the kinda haircut you're most likely to be given if you go to a hairdressers, which is why it's important to go to a barbers or at the very least make your intentions VERY clear. Either that or they'll give you a VERY short pixie cut.

If you go to a hairdressers or unisex salon, make your intentions clear from the start. Try to get photos of only guys as references, cause as dumb a thing as that is, they're more likely to take you "seriously" if you do (you shouldn't have to prove yourself to a damn hairdresser, but hey what can you do). Ask them to BLUNT OFF the ends at the back and sides, not round them off.

If you're going to a barbers, they'll do this anyways as it's basically standard procedure.

Generally speaking, you need to consider your facial features and the shape of your face. When your goal is to look as masculine as possible, you want to try and sharpen your features, make them look harsher.

A MASSIVE tip that I can give that I don't really see anywhere is that looking masculine is generally easier if your forehead is on show. Seriously. When women tend to get shorter haircuts, it tends to be cut in a way in which it covers the forehead and either comes down to or over the eyebrows. Men's haircuts tend to show off more forehead.

I used to HATE my forehead, but when I realised it helped me SIGNIFICANTLY in looking masculine I started to love it.

"Eating X/Y/Z will boost your levels of Testosterone"

This is false, to an extent. Yes certain foods are capable of increasing levels of certain hormones, however it is nowhere NEAR enough to have any effect on your body. I've heard people claim of very slightly thicker hair at most. It's really not worth monitoring how much milk you drink in the hopes you'll sprout an extra hair on your chin.

On the same vein as this: you don't need to drink loads of orange juice on T to "keep your immune system strong". Vitamin C does absolutely nothing for your immune system, it's a placebo at best, so you can take all of those cartons of orange juice out of your cart.

Miscellaneous tips:

•Cutting your fingernails helps a lot

•If you're curvier, don't buy men's straight cut jeans, they'll cling to your thighs and accentuate the curves rather than hiding them. Go for baggier styles of jeans.

•When you're wearing a hoodie, out your phone in the pocket. It'll pull it forwards and down and help to hide your chest

•layers can be helpful but too many will just result in you looking more femme than you did when you started out. Stick to about two or three layers

•A lot of people will tell you to lift up your head or walk and stand differently, and whilst this may help some guys in all honesty it doesn't help, usually you just look uncomfortable and out of place.

•Walk with purpose. Don't try any of this bigger stride stuff,but walk with determination, however that may be for you.

•Don't get caught up on everything other sources tell you about how you have to "act like a man" and "walk like a man" etc. You ARE a man, you already do these things like a man. You don't have to change anything unless you wanna.

That's it! That's all I got. I'm just gonna reiterate that you don't have to follow any of the advice in this post. Don't think that you HAVE to do things a certain way and that you CANNOT do certain things, again this is all observation based from my own experiences as a transmale and from watching transmale friends of mine struggle to despite their best efforts. You don't have to do anything described in here. It's just suggestions (UNLESS ITS BINDING. DON'T BE A DUMB BITCH WITH YOUR BINDING. DON'T RISK YOUR HEALTH).

Buh-bye!