MIAMI.- There was a time when mentioning it was synonymous with secrecy and sacrifice. It was kept in the deepest drawer of the closet, as if wearing it were a confession of insecurity. But something radically changed the way women relate to this popular garment.
“The girdle not only returned, but it came back reinvented and adopted by women who know perfectly well what they are looking for: comfort, posture support, and that impeccable silhouette that allows you to move through the world with full confidence. And most importantly: its use is no longer exclusive to a particular day. It is, for millions of women, part of the daily routine,” Angie Lorena González, a specialist in clinical massages and body shaping expert, told DIARIO LAS AMÉRICAS.
From stigma to empowerment
The cultural turn of the girdle began in the years of social media, when entertainment figures such as Kim Kardashian, Carolina Sandoval ‘La Venenosa’, and sports personalities began to talk openly about their daily use girdles. Simultaneously, the rise of the aesthetic postoperative period, with its rigorous abdominal compression protocol, educated an entire generation about the real functionality of these garments. And today the shaping lingerie industry moves figures that rival the big names in luxury. And the reason is simple: shapewear works.
“The woman who wears a girdle today does not use it to hide. She uses it because she understands that taking care of her posture, compressing the tissues correctly and feeling supported should be a natural part of her care routine,” added González, who has more than twenty years in the field of massages and body shaping, and is the owner of the Fajas Lorena brand.
What the expert says
For the Colombian masseuse and beautician, who works with clients in body remodeling processes combining lipocavitation techniques, lymphatic drainage and manual reductive massage, the girdle is a therapeutic extension of the treatments offered on the market.
“The reducing massage activates circulation, destroys fat nodules and drains retained fluids. But all this work is enhanced and consolidated when the client uses an appropriate compression girdle between sessions.”
The expert also differentiates between three types of use that she recommends to her patients, depending on the objective and time of the body process:
“There is the Post-procedure girdlehigh compression. Ideal in the first weeks after liposuction, abdominoplasty or intensive cavitation treatment as it reduces inflammation, shapes and accelerates recovery. We also have the Reducing girdle maintenance, medium compression, daily use for 6 to 8 hours, which enhances the results of the massage, improves circulation and prevents fluid accumulation. And there is a very popular one, the posture support beltdesigned for the lumbar area and abdomen, and ideal for those who work for many hours sitting or standing as it corrects posture, relieves muscle tension and gradually defines the waist,” he explained.
“I always recommend its use since my clients who use a girdle between sessions see results 40% faster. And that happens because the fabric has memory, and the constant compression teaches the body where it should go,” she added.
The art of choosing the right one
The market today offers a bewildering variety of girdles: latex, neoprene, elastic cotton, and microfiber. With hook closure, with side zipper, with crotch opening, without. Waist, abdominal, full bust, thigh, etc. So navigating this offering without guidance can be counterproductive, or even harmful if inappropriate compression is chosen.
“Before buying a girdle, consult with your beautician or body specialist, since the level of compression is not a minor detail: excessive compression can interrupt lymphatic drainage instead of promoting it. And that contradicts the entire purpose of the treatment,” concluded the expert.
If you want to know more about Angie Lorena González and her advice on using girdles, visit her Instagram profile @agskincare__ and @fajaslorena
