Slimming corset: does it really work?

Social media is home to countless fashion, beauty, and wellness trends. One of them has created quite a buzz: the slimming corset. Wearing this “ undergarment ” every day, day and night, could supposedly help you lose inches around your waist and achieve a flatter stomach. What should we make of the slimming corset trend? Is it effective or, on the contrary, dangerous?

What is a slimming corset?

A slimming corset is nothing more or less than a corset similar to the ones worn by our grandmothers, except that its design is noticeably more modern. Improvements in the fabric, fastenings, and support, with a slightly less retro look… Still, the principle is the same: it cinches the abdomen and waist so they appear slimmer. In addition, by pressing against the stomach wall, the corset is said to help better control feelings of hunger.
A slimming corset is different from a slimming belt: while the former promises an actual loss of inches, the latter is simply a clothing accessory that creates the illusion of a slimmer figure. The cinched waist naturally looks narrower, and the stomach flatter. The compressed abdomen also accentuates the volume of the bust and buttocks, transforming the silhouette.

Is a slimming corset advisable?

Although countless celebrities embraced the slimming corset for a time, health professionals are unanimous: no, a slimming corset does not make you lose weight. On the contrary, wearing a tight corset every day can be extremely harmful.

1- Physical… and mental torture

The slimming corset embodies the beauty standards imposed on women’s bodies. Young women can develop insecurities, or even body dysmorphia, which push them to adopt every beauty and slimming trend they see on social media. This can lead to extreme behaviors (such as wearing a very tight corset every day), which may reinforce low self-esteem and rejection of one’s body. Worse still, these toxic trends can trigger genuine emotional distress for some and contribute to psychological conditions such as eating disorders or depression.

2- Consequences for the organs

Wearing a slimming corset over the long term can have serious repercussions on the internal organs. The stomach and intestines, constantly compressed and “ lifted ”, may press against other vital organs such as the liver, spleen, and kidneys. In addition, the corset strongly compresses the diaphragm, which in turn presses on the lungs and heart. This physiological reality helps explain the many stories of fainting among corseted women between the 16^th and 19^th centuries. More concretely, wearing a corset can cause bowel issues, digestive problems, difficulty breathing (chest tightness), gastroesophageal reflux… all without losing a single gram of fat, of course.

3- An impact on bones, muscles, and skin

But that’s not all! By excessively constricting the tissues, the slimming corset reduces blood flow. Skin, no longer properly oxygenated, tends to atrophy. As a result, the corset could lead to tissue deterioration around the abdominal area: the skin would lose firmness and, instead of being firm and toned (the desired goal), it could eventually become completely withered and start sagging.  As for muscle health, the repercussions are just as alarming: because the corset replaces the abdominal muscles in supporting the torso, the muscles may visibly waste away (amyotrophy) until they can no longer fulfill their stabilizing role. Finally, the back is not spared either: wearing a slimming corset every day may lead to lower back weakness by limiting the back’s natural flexibility and even negatively affecting posture.

4- Risks in the postpartum period

Some celebrities have praised the benefits of wearing a slimming corset after giving birth. It was said to help them lose pregnancy weight. But that is not the case: a slimming corset does not make you slimmer. What’s more, it can worsen issues linked to the postpartum period. During pregnancy, a woman’s abdominal shape changes: the uterus grows and compresses certain organs, lifting the diaphragm while putting pressure on the pelvic floor. Hormonal changes also relax the smooth muscles up until childbirth. That is why new mothers are encouraged to undergo pelvic floor and abdominal rehabilitation: it helps restore muscle tone, helps the organs return to their proper place, and reduces the risk of prolapse, organ descent, or urinary leakage. Wearing a slimming corset postpartum prevents this rehabilitation, since it contributes to abdominal muscle wasting. It therefore makes the situation worse.

Corset before and after: what do the photos really show?

The corset “before and after” photos shared on social media show a cinched waist, a flatter stomach and a transformed silhouette. This effect comes entirely from compression. As explained above, a corset creates the illusion of a slimmer waist without getting rid of a single gram of fat.

Glowing reviews from certain celebrities shouldn’t overshadow what health professionals say. Wearing a tight corset every day to shrink your waist carries risks for your organs, muscles, back and skin. If in doubt, ask your GP for advice.

What are the alternatives to a slimming corset?

Rather than putting yourself through an uncomfortable device, opt for alternatives that are gentler on your body. To look after your tummy, a few simple habits have their place:

• A balanced diet that’s low in sugar, salt and saturated fat is one of the basics (see also: getting back to a healthy weight).
• It’s a good idea to limit foods you find hard to digest (see also: which foods to limit).
• Drinking water regularly throughout the day is another simple habit to adopt.
• Regular exercise works your abdominal area.
• A healthy lifestyle, with as little stress as possible, is also a good idea. After all, isn’t the gut often called the second brain?

Alongside these habits, you can also add targeted waist and tummy care products. Of course, they should be chosen carefully so as not to put your wellbeing at risk. For example, we suggest our flat tummy pack, designed to complement your waist care routine. It includes:

• Our two stomach and waist gels. The first is our cryo belly gel, enriched with marine algae and Eastern lotus, with menthol for a cooling feel. The second is our belly night cream, a night-time treatment containing pineapple bromelain.
• Our iced herbal infusion, to enjoy day to day, as part of a wellness routine.
• Our cooling belly belt, a slimming belt that is nothing like a slimming corset. Easy to use, it applies cold to the abdominal area and is inspired by cryotherapy.

Related articles

• How to lose belly fat without exercise?
• Slim but with a belly: why and what to do?
• 24 Tips to Lose Belly Fat Naturally

Useful categories: Slimming Solutions, Weight Management.