A waist trainer is responsible for giving a woman an exaggerated hourglass figure, which is a tiny waist and curves over the hips.
While there is no evidence to support the idea that your body can be molded into a specific shape using spot reduction, there is proof that it can lead to some significant side effects.
Side effects of using a Waist Trainer
1. Skin irritation
One of the most common side effects of a waist trainer is skin irritation. Having something so tightly fastened to your skin for a prolonged amount of time will cause chafing that can cause serious discomfort. You may think a rash is a low price to pay for the ‘perfect’ hourglass figure, but you may not feel the same way if it leads to infection and your shape is the same as it always was.
2. Acid reflux
Anyone who experiences acid reflux will appreciate the intense pain it can cause. By compressing your midsection, the trainer is also pressing your stomach up higher, increasing your chance of heartburn and indigestion. Not only can it cause pain, but recurring acid reflux can cause long-term damage by eroding the walls of the esophagus.
ALSO READ: All The Things You Should Know About A Waist Trainer Before You Use It
3. Breathing
As well as putting pressure on your stomach, your entire internal network is being pushed to fit the shape of the clincher. By restricting your diaphragm, you’re reducing the amount of oxygen you can take in. This can leave you feeling short of breath and lightheaded and even cause you to faint.
4. Bruising
Unlike traditional corsets, modern waist trainers don’t have the same strength to affect the shape of your bones. This will mean you will be left with bone bruises as the trainer compresses your body. You may not think this sounds that bad, but bone bruises are significantly more painful and long-lasting than regular bruises. With social media users getting younger and younger, there is a far greater risk for children whose bones have not formed fully, as cinchers could actually affect the development of their bone structure.
5. Numbness
Not only will your blood flow be limited by the compression, but your nerves may also be affected. This could cause you to experience pins and needles or numbness in your legs.
6. Psychological toll
Although a waist cincher will make your waist appear slimmer while you’re wearing it, every time you take it off, your unhappiness with your shape will be perpetuated through comparison. You’re constantly reminding yourself of how much you dislike your body and being fooled into thinking your ideal figure is just out of reach.
This false hope can even leave you with the belief that diet and exercise are no longer necessary, as well as become addicted to wearing the cincher. In the long run, you’ll mostly find the whole experience rather distressing when the desired results are not met.