If you thought corsets died in the nineteenth century, you are sadly mistaken. Over the past couple of years, the corset has made a comeback. This time it is disguised by the name "waist trainer."
Waist trainer companies say that the product gives women their desired shape and waist size just simply by wearing it regularly. They are modern corsets designed with boning and hooks, much tighter than the tightest of shape wear. Waist trainers also claim to help women who have given birth get their bodies back with flat stomachs and less stretch marks. People who have tried out waist trainers for an extended period of time have said that it has helped them lose inches off their waists. Even still, this comes with many prices regarding one's health.
The post-pregnancy reality is what began the phenomenon for many celebrities looking for a quick way to get their pre-baby bodies back. Celebrities without children, however, are also involved with the phenomenon. In fact, celebrities are the marketing strategy behind waist training brands. Brands send their waist trainers to celebrities, who then post pictures wearing them and talk about them on their social media accounts. The millions of followers of that celebrity then become exposed to the advertisements and rave reviews about waist trainers, sparking countless people to buy their own.
Celebrities such as Kim Kardashian, Khloe Kardashian, Kourtney Kardashian, Kylie Jenner, Ciara, Cassie, Amber Rose and Jessica Alba have spoken positively about their experiences with waist trainers. Many of these celebrities post regularly and often about them on their Instagram accounts, as well. Instagram is even more effective than other social media applications when it comes to this matter because it uses the power of picture. Followers physically see the celebrities they look up to wearing waist trainers and not just speaking about them. This causes a greater sense of legitimacy among followers and an “if they’re doing it, so am I” kind of attitude.
Here is where all the problems with waist trainers lie. They are known to cause pain in the ribs, high blood pressure, shallow breathing, shrinking of the lungs, hyperventilation, and more. If the waist trainer is too tight, it could even hit nerves in other parts of the body and cause pain, according to ABC News.
Neurologist and medical advisor Dr. Orly Avitzur spoke to Allure Magazine about the health consequences of prolonged corset or waist trainer use.
“They include damaging a nerve in the groin, which can cause a condition called meralgia paresthetica in which there may be painful burning and tingling of the thigh,” Avitzur said. They can also cause “contact dermatitis and recurrent abdominal pain, possibly due to constriction of the bowels.”
Waist trainers are said to help with weight loss, but that is because women feel fuller faster. Without any room to breathe, how can there be room for food? Any weight loss experienced when waist training will be from food restriction.
Waist training and its celebrity endorsement need to end. Social media followers are taking the word from their favorite celebrity and taking action with their own waist trainers because those celebrities are trusted figures. Fans look up to these celebrities and waist-training companies rely on that. They know that they are reaching an impressionable audience through voices countless people love and trust.
Fans and followers should instead be listening to more qualified individuals and doctors to help them reach their fitness goals in natural and healthy ways.
Celebrities need to educate themselves on the long-term risks of waist trainers and reconsider the message they are sending to their Instagram followers. Is it really worth promoting if it can cause people serious harm?