What Does Shapewear Really Do To Your Body?

Shapewear — also known as Spanx, shaping underwear, and foundational garments — can drastically alter a person's appearance in a matter of minutes, if not seconds. Your abdominal flab, big butt or fat thighs can "magically" disappear, giving you a sleek silhouette without ever going to the gym. Who doesn't want that, really?

I know I do. OK, I fully admit I was embarrassed the first time I bought shaping undergarments, but I quickly got over that when I saw how effective they were. After two children, my abdomen simply doesn't look the same any more, and I still want to look great in tight dresses on special occasions. If that sounds familiar, you may have already taken the shapewear plunge.

We know Victorian corsets, which are incidentally also gaining popularity again, can do all kinds of permanent harm to the body. The ladies from the Victorian Dress Reform Movement would turn in their graves if they saw Blac Chyna and Kim Kardashian, despite their envy-inducing figures, because corsets can restrict breathing, damage internal organs, and even crack ribs. 

Is Shapewear Dangerous?

Shapewear, though? That stuff is made out of lycra and can offer a mild, moderate, or more radical slimming effect. Shapewear comes in all shapes and sizes. You've got tights, full body suits, underpants, longer underpants that also make your legs look thinner, camisoles, underdresses, and underdresses without breast support — so you can still look full up top. It usually doesn't have bones, and definitely doesn't go as tight as corsets do.

Dr Irfan Tariq, a gastroenterologist, says a remarkable number of his patients have developed health problems after using shapewear. "Using shapewear, particularly of the wrong size, may literally be crushing a woman’s organs," he warns.  "The most common adverse effect of shapewear is the development of GERD – a condition in which the acids of the stomach move back up into the esophagus when the stomach is compressed. This causes severe heartburn, nausea and abdominal discomfort."

But there's more: "Shapewear also pushes against the diaphragm, making it difficult to breathe and maybe causing shallow breathing. Issues such as stress incontinence, resulting in a loss of bladder control, also affect women who use shapewear. Besides affecting the abdominal organs, shapewear has also been found to cause temporary numbness in the thighs and skin infections as well."

And Corsets?

The potential side effects of shapewear still don't come anywhere close to those of more traditional corsets. Corsets may make you look fantastic, but be very careful before you decide to jump on the tight-lacing bandwagon. Dr Tariq has no problem with medical corsets that are designed to deal with posture issues, but warns against turning to corsets for weight loss: "Besides helping with certain physiological conditions, such as back pain, corsets help women deal mainly with psychological issues, primarily those pertaining to weight loss and self-esteem."

See Also: Belly Busting Ab Workout For A Super Flat Tummy

He adds: "Losing weight with corsets does not make any medical sense whatsoever. The reason why women claim to have become slimmer after wearing these devices is that the pressure it exerts on the abdomen causes difficulties in eating comfortably. So in reality, it is not the corset causing the weight loss, it is the reduced caloric intake. Corsets may compress your waist about 3 to 5 inches and can only make you feel slim, not slim in reality. In order to achieve a long-term ideal figure, follow a proper weight-loss regime." 

How To Choose Your Shapewear Wisely

Do you still want to look slim and trim, despite the potential risks? It might help to think of shapewear as high heels — they help you be dazzling for that night out, but you know you have to use them in moderation if you want your body to be happy.

Dr Tariq agrees. "There is no harm in wearing shapewear occasionally, like for social gatherings and formal dinners, where there is a need to dazzle and impress. However, certain things should be kept in mind before deciding to wear a shaper of any type." What are those things?

Make Sure It's The Right Size

"Make sure that the shapewear is the right size," Dr Tariq says. "Opt for a sleek and comfortable choice that fulfills its purpose without your organs having to suffer the consequences. Understand your body type and pick a shaper that will appropriately enhance or conceal the part of your body you want to modify. Always remember that this is a timely alteration; do not rely on it to fulfill your expectations of achieving the ideal figure. It should also be kept in mind that people suffering from abdominal disorders, such as acid peptic disease or GERD, should not use shapewear at all."

What's more, not all shapewear will actually help you achieve the effect you are after — what good will your shaping body wear do you if it gives you bulges in different places? Don't forget to sit down while wearing your shapewear too. Some shapewear rides up, making your abdomen pop out. That's obviously not the effect you are hoping to achieve. By sitting down, you can check that the tightening panel is where you want it to be, rather than in a place where it will actually make you look fatter. 

Anyone who has ever worn shapewear knows that the pieces that achieve the best results don't keep on feeling good after you've been wearing them for a long time. Do take your shapewear off before you go to sleep, and don't wear it every day. By using your shapewear only occasionally, you give your body a break and decrease the risk of side effects. The more a piece of shapewear squeezes you, the less you should be wearing it. As soon as your shapewear makes you feel bad, take it off.

Are You Unhappy With Your Weight?

Do you feel you need to rely on shapewear to maintain a look you are happy with on a daily basis, rather than using Spanx to make the most out of special events? Perhaps it is time to consider more permanent solutions. Remember that exercise and a healthy, balanced diet benefit everyone. There's nothing quite like knowing that you're happy with your body when you take the shapewear off. 

Dr Tariq has some advice: "Wearing a shaper may temporarily uplift a woman’s self-esteem when she looks in the mirror, but once it is off, she goes back to her original figure. Appropriate ways for achieving an ideal weight and body are dietary modifications and regular exercise; look slim without the pain."

See Also: How To Lose Weight Without Even Trying

"Losing weight involves 50 percent diet control, 30 percent exercise, and 20 percent peace of mind," doctor Tariq believes. "Not only do they have positive long-term physiological benefits, healthy and controlled eating helps deal with many psychological disorders as well. Walking or running for 30-40 minutes four days a week is very effective when accompanied with a diet-plan. Cut down on excessive carbs, trans-fats and sugary beverages, and opt for any exercise regime you are comfortable with. Remember: patience and perseverance are the keys. Personally, I do not recommend the use of shapewear under any circumstances. I do not appreciate patients who rely on shapewear for losing weight. I always encourage them to change their lifestyle and lose weight naturally."