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
