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A FTM transgender guy is someone who is transitioning from female to male. People who are assigned female gender at birth but they strongly identity with the opposite gender are FTM transgender. They usually choose to undergo medical transition at some point in time. But there is no clear cute norm with regard to that. There are some who skip medical transitioning altogether.

Irrespective of whether they have undergone medical transitioning or not, it is very important for a FTM transgender guy that society perceives him as a man. If that does not happen, it can aggravate the feelings of gender dysphoria that already exist in him. And this is not good for his mental health. It is also important from a romantic point of view since sexuality is deeply connected to a person’s gender identity. So, if he wants to join a trans dating site or a FTM dating service, it is important that he is confident of his manly image.

For guys who choose to undergo the Hormone Replacement Therapy, it is relatively easier to pass off as a man. They usually get bi-weekly injections from the doctor. Besides, there are numerous other ways of getting injected with hormones; it can be through gels, patches and many other ways. Some FTM trans guys will also get testosterone treatment which will work on their faces in a way that gives them a more masculine appearance. It would also make their voices somewhat heavy and manly.

Then, there are some who would choose to go even a step further and undergo chest reconstruction surgery. This surgery specifically flattens out the chest area to give the chest a masculine appearance. Then, there is the bottom surgery performed in order to remove the vagina and create a penis for the transgender man.

However, there are some who choose not to have these treatments for certain reasons. And for such trans men, passing as a man in public might be a bit more challenging. Then most FTM trans guys start coming out even before medical transitioning. This is important because you can’t just wait for the treatment to show effects and then come out. You got to tell society that you are a guy even before.

The whole process of coming out as a man publicly can be quite intimidating for a FTM transgender guys. But with certain tips, you can conveniently pass as the guy that you already are.

Use a Binder

The biggest source of gender dysphoria in FTM transgender guys is the chest area unless they have had the top surgery, of course. So as a trans man, if you haven’t had the top surgery yet and want to flatten out your chest area, the best option for you is to buy a medical binder.

Medical chest binders are easily available online and come in many different styles. There are also plenty of commercial chest binders available in the market these days. It is important to buy the right size though. If you bind your chest using a binder that is a bit too small, it might create difficulties in breathing and you will end up having pain in your shoulders and back.

Trans men who don’t quite want to go for a medical binder can also bind their chest using a sports bra. In fact, using a sports bra is quite a safe way to bond your chest with minimal risk of side effects or injuries. Some FTM trans guys would also use layering to bind their chest using a shirt or bra layering.

However, according to experts, you should not wear binders for longer than 8-12 hours. Also, you should avoid sleeping while wearing your binder. It is also important to have a day off in between once in a while. You have to make sure that you aren’t binding everyday in order to avoid any side effects.

Following these tips, you can happily use a binder to flatten out your chest area. And this will certainly increase your confidence and make people notice you as a man when you are out there in public.

Make use of the Packing Technique

Now, packing is a technique that trans guys make use of to give the illusion of a penis. It basically involves putting something in your pants to mimic the appearance of the bulge created by male genitalia.

Packing is a great way to enhance the self-confidence of a FTM transgender guy who hasn’t had the bottom surgery as yet and increases his chances of passing as a man. After all, sexuality is a very important part of your new gender identity. So, it is natural that you want to simulate the whole experience of having male genitalia.

These days there are so many commercial packers available online. These packers come in different materials and varieties including silicone. And the best thing is they are more or fewer replicas of male genitalia. However, for a trans guy who is new to the whole experience of packing, it is best to try a simple technique first. He can just use a rolled-up sock and place it properly at the right spot inside his pants. It’s way cheaper than using a commercial packer and he can try it out and decide for himself if he likes the whole experience or not.

Learn to Project a Masculine Appearance

This is the key to passing as a male in society. With pro masculine body language, your chances of passing as a man increase dramatically.

The first step of building this masculine image of yours as a FTM trans man is to get used to wearing a man’s clothes. When it comes to clothing, everyone has a different approach that suits them. Some trans guys like to go with oversized clothing to get that super manly look. If you perhaps wear a shirt size larger than usual, your shoulders might look bigger and slightly bulkier. But there is no rule really. Well, fitted clothes can also give the impression of a chiseled, toned masculine body.

The important thing is to find men’s clothes that go with your personality and eventually develop your own style. Once you start getting used to male clothing, behaving as a man will also start coming naturally to you. You can also check out profiles of trans guys on transgender dating websites and see what they are wearing.

Now again, there is no manual really that can teach you how to behave like a man. You just have to closely observe men in public places – the way they walk, the way they sit, how they move their head while talking, the tone of their voice while they are speaking. You can also interact with other trans men through a transgender forum and take their advice.

To begin with, one thing that a FTM transgender guy can focus on is sitting. Generally speaking, men tend to literally spread their legs wide apart while sitting. They sit in a very authoritarian position taking up a lot of space with legs as wide as possible. So, this is something that you can begin practicing as a trans man. It is easy to remember and also simple to practice.

Do not feel compelled to fit into a Box

As a FTM transgender guy, the way you want to protect yourself is totally your call. It depends on your personality and orientation. Many trans men have fluid general identities, that is they are Pansexual. Now Pan Sexuality can be defined as a sexual or romantic attraction towards anybody irrespective of their gender identity.  So, if you classify yourself as a pansexual trans guy, then you lay down your own rules. You don’t necessarily need to then get into the entire masculine discourse of heterosexuality.

A FTM trans guy can also prefer to date gay men. Or he may prefer to go the cis guy way, dating heterosexual women through a transgender dating site or a transgender dating app. So, one has to understand that even as a FTM transgender guy, one can have fluid gender identities and that’s totally cool. The way a trans man wants to project himself is totally his call. He might just want to meet single women through FTM trans dating site or a transgender dating app or he might just want to date gay men.

Get Inspired from the Lives of Well-Known Trans Men

There are so many trans men icons who have fought societal prejudices and stereotypes to emerge a winner and live a successful and fulfilling life. If you want happiness, you have to go through the grind and find it out. You just can’t run away from problems and struggles. A FTM transgender man can take inspiration from the lives of famous and successful trans men. This will do wonders to his own image as a trans man and show him the way forward. You can go through a transgender blog to gain insight into the lives of famous trans men.

So many movies have been made about the lives of trans men. There are also movies starring trans men. Most of these movies depict the problems faced by transgender youth. These offer a realistic peep into the world of trans men.

There was the iconic movie ‘Becoming Chaz’ that was released in 2011. This movie was based on the life of Chaz Bono, the son of Cher, who has also penned down a book on his multiple experiences as a transgender man.

Then there is the 1999 movie ‘Boys Don’t Cry’ based on the life story of Brandon Teena, a young trans man who was murdered in 1993.  And it’s so important to mention the contribution made by the legendary Buck Angle in the field of trans awareness. He is a filmmaker, speaker and advocate. He also stars in a documentary made about his own life.

Then there are other famous movies incorporating trans issues such as Just (2002), Call me Kade, Boy I Am (2006) and About Ray (2015).

As a trans man, it is very important to know all about various issues faced by transgender folks and how so many trans heroes have fought out these issues. As a FTM trans guy, you can also join an online transgender forum and communicate with other trans men.

All this will increase your awareness of trans issues and strengthen your identity as a trans man. Knowing that there are so many like you who have fought societal prejudices and emerged a winner, you will no longer be afraid to live out your identity.

Hormone Replacement Therapy:

He Born to Dominican parents, New York local, Laith Ashley propelled his career with a monumental campaign for Barneys New York, shot by Bruce Weber. Making his introduction as one of the primary trans male models to ever show up in a national campaign, was just the start.

A graduate of Fairfield University, he studied psychology with a focus in research, religion, and law. Laith started his transition at the end of January 2014 and found that modeling constrained him to confront himself in ways he never envisioned. Laith was the main male model on Oxygen's TV show, 'STRUT' and has been highlighted on a few covers, including Attitude magazine. 

He has strolled in fashion shows for major designers and has been highlighted in Vogue Hommes.  A defender for social equity, Laith has done incalculable interviews, empowering social change and advocating for equitable rights for LGBT people, and additionally speaking on the significance of decent variety at universities in the US and abroad. 

There is a side to Laith Ashley that presently can't seem to be seen by the majority. A born entertainer, Laith is a vocalist, a songwriter, and dancer. His greatest dream was to impart these endowments to the world, and now he at long last will.

One of the most important things about embracing your new identity as a trans man is being able to own it. You want to feel that confidence in your smile and demeanour and that manly swag in your walk and attitude as you make a foray into the world of masculinity. To put it simply, you want to come across as an attractive guy who is well sought after.

As a FTM trans guy, you are probably looking forward to dating someone. But your mind is full of apprehensions regarding your identity. Even if you are on hormone treatment, it takes a while to develop tangible physical characteristics of the ‘male ‘gender. So it’s important to stay confident, poised and have full faith in yourself, no matter what the circumstances be. The first and foremost rule to looking exceptionally attractive is convincing yourself that you are hot. That conviction shines through your face and being and people would be irresistibly drawn to you. Such is the power of positive thinking.

Next, it’s equally important to work on your looks and dressing sense. The dating scene is getting more and more competitive. So you got to be particular about putting forward your best version. If you’ve recently joined a transgender dating site and are communicating with a number of potential love interests, you are definitely looking forward to having a real date at some point in time. That is why it’s important to be always super well-groomed and never go lax about your appearance.

This article offers a few tips that would help you look exceptionally attractive as a trans guy.

Dress According to Your Personality and Aura

Everyone has a unique aura. And that aura defines a lot of things about us – the way we communicate, behave and all that. It’s important for a trans guy to go for a dressing style that complements his personality. It’s not just about how expensive your clothes are or how much you follow the latest fashion trends. If something looks awkward on you, it’s probably not meant for you.

Develop your personal style statement rather than blindly aping the latest fashion trends. Notice the kind of clothes that look best on you and customize your wardrobe accordingly. When you see a strikingly attractive male fashion model displaying the latest line of a high brand in a fashion magazine, it’s obvious that you fall in love with those clothes instantly. But just sit back, relax and try to visualize how these clothes would look on your body type. Ask yourself if you are comfortable with those colours or patterns. What works very well for a cis guy doesn’t necessarily rock for a trans guy as you have areas to camouflage like chest and butt.

Look for inspiration in the dressing style of other trans male icons. Check out their social media handles.  Scroll through a transgender blog and get to know how other trans men like you are dressing up.  This will help you develop a unique style statement over a period of time.

Don’t Go for Clothes that are Too Loose or Too Tight

Well, it might be challenging for a trans man to find clothes the right size. Even if you are on hormone therapy, it takes time for your body to redistribute fat according to male body shape. So, you always have the problem of a shirt being a bit too tight on the chest even if its fits perfectly on arms and shoulders.  It’s the same for jeans or pants. The waist might be perfect but the pants are just too tight on hips. Many trans guys get really conscious of all this and tend to buy clothes of sizes considerably bigger than their usual size. But that’s not the right approach.

Wearing baggy or ill-fitted clothes is not going to make you look attractive. It’s just going to be unflattering on your body. So the trick is to just try and try till you find something that fits you almost right. It will mean quite a bit of extra time for shopping and multiple trips to the changing room. But it’s totally worth it. Well, fitted clothes would make you look attractive, irrespective of your built and physique. If you are concerned about your butt and thighs being too prominent in fitted pants, then it’s the style that you have to change. Going for oversized pants won’t make you look good.

Be Careful While Selecting Pants

Now, pants are a tricky business when it comes to a trans man’s wardrobe. You want to go for pants that downplay the feminine bits like butt and thighs. So a good rule to follow is to never go for pleated trousers as these would just highlight the thigh and hip area. It’s best to go for the classic, basic pair of pants that is flat-front so that it doesn’t emphasize your hips.

Try Out Dark and Solid Colours for Shirts

Dark and solid colours would help camouflage the chest area, making it less obvious. So a black shirt or a deep blue shirt is a great choice. On the contrary, shades like fluorescents, whites and yellows will make the chest area even more obvious. So when in doubt, go for black.

Try Out Shirts with Irregular Patterns

It cannot be emphasized enough that one of the main concerns of a trans man is to hide any unwanted bulge in the chest area while dressing up. Shirts with irregular patterns work very well for that purpose. The irregular pattern kind of tricks the eye, making any bulge in the chest less obvious. Regular patterns, on the contrary, would draw even more unwanted attention to the chest. So FTM transgender guys should try going for shirts with irregular or asymmetrical patterns. These would complement the manly physique.

Don’t Be Afraid to Wear T-Shirts

A lot of trans guys shy away from t-shirts thinking it would be unflattering on their bodies. Nothing could be farther than the truth. A well-fitted t-shirt would emphasize your arms and shoulders, thus making you look manlier. When one tries to visualize perfect masculinity, broad shoulders are the first thing that comes to mind. And t-shirts are great in that they create that illusion of those perfectly square, broad shoulders.

It’s true that some t-shirts might be problematic for the chest area if that is your concern. But if you look around enough, you would definitely find styles that complement your arms and shoulders without drawing attention to the chest.

Work Out and Eat Healthily

This is an obvious one. But many trans guys choose to overlook this. When they are on treatment, they tend to wait for the treatment effects to settle in and then start working out. But you have to start exercising as soon as possible. In fact, the most important goal of your workout should be to lose as much weight as possible. Once your body fat gets totally transformed into the male physique pattern post-treatment, you can go slow on weight loss. But till then, it’s important to lose as much body fat as possible.

A lean, sculpted physique would naturally take care of all those problem areas like the hips, thighs and chest. It is equally important to eat healthily and drink plenty of water so that your skin stays hydrated.

Remember that looking like an irresistible guy is not just about having that perfect physique. It’s also about having a great skin tone. When you work out and eat healthily, your skin shines with that vitality.

Pay Attention to Basic Grooming

Basic grooming is important for a trans man. Make sure you moisturize your skin regularly, shave on a regular basis and use deodorant.  Your hair is also an important part of your personal attractiveness quotient. Look for a style that complements your masculinity and then stick to it. Go for regular hair spas so that your hair is in the best of condition at all times.

Your skin also needs to be squeaky clean. You don’t really have to go for facials but make sure you shower regularly; use a face wash and a scrub at least once a week.

Go for Shoes that Give the Illusion of More Height

When one thinks of a manly physique, a talk form or silhouette instantly comes to mind. For a trans man who has been chatting with someone through a trans dating site, it’s important that his lady love finds him tall and striking when they finally meet.

One golden rule to follow is to go for shoes that make you look taller. Boots especially are great at giving an illusion of greater height. So go for different styles of boots that complement your manliness and also take your style quotient up by a few notches. For daily wear, sneakers are also a great option. But when you are trying out a shoe, just remember to stand in front of the mirror and see if it creates that illusion of a longer physique or not.

Last but not the least, it’s most important to be confident in your own skin. At the end of the day, people admire you for your originality and uniqueness. It’s good to make these efforts to improve your external appearance but never lose your essence. Because your essence is what really drives the world crazy, in a good way that is.

The first step to making anybody else admire you is to love and value yourself. It’s as simple as that. But still, we look for recognition at all wrong places, changing ourselves beyond recognition; even torturing ourselves just to get the approval of other people. But it’s like a vicious circle. We don’t get anywhere. We get trapped in multiple images we have created of ourselves for the world to see. But none of these images match the real us. We have forgotten to love own self in the process.

It’s important for a trans man to break through those barriers of negativity that he has built all around himself. He has to stop seeing himself from the lens of so-called society. A transgender guy has to embark on a very personal inner journey, one that makes him connect with himself, one that makes him see his self in all its glories and follies and then loves it to the core.

Everybody gets enamored by narcissistic people. Why is that so? It is because we see in them a part of ourselves that we are almost scared to embrace. A bit of narcissism is good for all of us. As a trans guy, it also makes life somewhat less challenging for you. You deal with the practical problems of your life in a matter-of-fact way but you don’t let those build a wall of negativity around you. In other words, you stop seeing yourself in the light of others.

When you came out as a trans guy, not everyone supported you in that decision.  Maybe, even your family abandoned you. These are some harsh realities of life you have to learn to live with. And you don’t have the courage to accept these realities until you learn to be compassionate with yourself. When your world is centered around your own being, your heart also expands. You forgive others willingly and just concentrate on the pursuit of your goals, ambitions, and happiness.

This article tells you about some ways in which you can love yourself.

Pamper Yourself

The first step to loving yourself is taking pride in your physical appearance and being. Pamper yourself. Take time out to relax. Go for solo holidays. Shop generously whenever you get time. If you have a particular hobby, make some time for it. Treat yourself like a prince. Exercise regularly and eat super healthy. It is a psychological fact that when we look in the mirror and see good results in terms of fitness, skin glow, etc, our entire being radiates with positivity and happiness. And we spread this aura all around.

Make a list of your best qualities

Now, you don’t have to literally make a list. But just think of your best qualities and tell yourself about them. Everyone has certain attributes. Some people are very kind and compassionate. Others have a great sense of humor. Some have a lot of patience. Others have the ability to think spontaneously in any given situation and make quick decisions. What are your special qualities? Think about these and then remind yourself every day about your best attributes.

This might sound very strange but it will fill your life with motivation and confidence. As a trans man, you spend too much time thinking about your identity and how the world doesn’t accept it and all that. In the process, you fail to appreciate yourself as an individual. Reminding oneself of their best qualities every day helps break the cycle of negativity. You will learn to see yourself in a new light. As a trans guy, your attention will be diverted away from the problems of your life to the unique aura and power of your own personality.

Never Hold a Grudge Against Yourself

We all have a tendency to blame ourselves for something or the other. If some decision in the past went wrong, we remember it all the time and spend our present in regret. As a trans man, you have to break free of these shackles of negativity. You are only human at the end of the day. Nobody is perfect. Even heads of state make the biggest of blunders. The only way to fix a past mistake is to learn a lesson and move on. Holding a grudge against yourself is just going to get you miserable.

Look at Everything in a Positive Light

Now, this one is tricky. How do you look at horrible and negative experiences in a positive light? It’s not easy but very much possible. Suppose you dated someone through a transgender dating site. You guys met and everything and when you thought it was going really well, the whole thing just collapsed. This has made you so sensitive and edgy that you are off the idea of dating. But if you choose to look at that experience positively, your whole life will change. You got saved the burden of a terrible relationship. Think of it that way. Had you been with that person for long, maybe it could have been worse. So you just saved yourself and your energy.

Life is like a roller coaster ride. But even from the worst of experiences, we learn something valuable. And these bad experiences make all the good things that follow totally worthwhile. Once you learn to see everything in a positive light, you would stop being bitter and harsh on yourself.

Never Let a Relationship Decide Your Self-Worth

This is very common with people in love. Their mood and emotions get totally dependent on the relationship. Not just that, their self–worth too is determined by their partner’s perception of them. If your partner is positive and encouraging, you are lucky. But if you get to be with someone who constantly finds faults in you and makes you conscious about everything, it’s not good. Such a person will pretend to love you, maybe they do love you in their own way but this kind of love will be toxic for your identity as an individual. To learn where to draw the line. A relationship should never determine your self-worth and self-esteem.

If you are with someone who constantly makes you feel bad about yourself, they cannot be the right person for you. So have the courage to make yourself a priority and just walk out. Love and dating are all worth it but not at the expense of your own self. Chat with like-minded people through a trans dating site. Get to know them. But don’t get obsessed with the idea of dating and relationships. It is definitely a very important part of your life. But don’t let your whole life revolve around it. And don’t let it affect your self-worth.

If a girl you thought very hot and good-looking turned you down, it’s not the end of the world. Just get over it. She probably didn’t deserve you. If you keep on obsessing with the hotness of women and think of yourself as inferior all the time, it will affect your self-image badly. But if you just think of yourself as awesome, then you’ll just forget about that girl and laugh it off. As a trans man, make yourself the center of your universe.

Build a Strong Connection With Your Inner Self

It is important to recognize your inner self and have a dialogue with it on a regular basis. This doesn’t mean a literal dialogue but you got to forge a connection with your inner self. Take some time out of your busy schedule during which you do absolutely nothing. When we are constantly doing something or the other, our head is constantly buzzing with ideas. This state of frenzied activity leaves us excited and overwhelmed. In order to recognize one’s inner self, it’s important to cease all this activity for a while and revel in nothingness. This is the time set for you to draw deeper into the recesses of your inner self. You will draw deeper into your intuitive energies and understand yourself better.

It is not a conscious activity you can undertake. This happens subconsciously if you just let yourself be. Set a time every day during which you distance yourself from all the drama and just be still. In the stillness of these moments, you will discover your inner self. Meditation is also a great way to stay connected with your inner self.

Once you make a strong connection with the inner being, the external disturbances and perception of people around you will cease to matter. As a trans man, your being will radiate with positive energy. Every day will be full of opportunities and beautiful things to come. Negativity will be offshore. It would be a blissful state of being.