1. Functional Usage
Functionally, they are divided into shapewear base layers and shapewear underwear. Shapewear base layers combine body sculpting, warmth, and functions for layering or wearing as outerwear; shapewear underwear is used for shaping and warmth.
In terms of materials, shapewear base layers are mostly blends of animal and plant fibers like wool. Shapewear underwear is mostly cotton blends containing Lycra.
In terms of texture, shapewear base layers are mostly low-pressure, high-elasticity natural fibers. Shapewear underwear is mostly high-pressure, medium-to-low elasticity dense synthetic fibers.
In terms of the body parts modified, shapewear base layers are divided into corrective, adjusting, and concealing types. Shapewear underwear is primarily corrective.
Use after C-section or Natural Childbirth
These types of compression garments (body shapers) generally focus on the chest, abdomen, and lower limbs—areas where shape changes significantly due to pregnancy and childbirth. They can assist with breast engorgement caused by sudden hormonal changes, uterine contractions, and skin retraction.
Use for Lower Limb Varicose Veins
These types of compression garments generally focus on the lower limbs. They are used to prevent and treat varicose veins in the lower limbs caused by standing for long periods, as well as discomfort such as protruding blood vessels and pain.
After Surgery
This type of compression garment (body shaper) is suitable for various surgical procedures involving the body surface or body cavities. It serves to apply local pressure to stop bleeding, conform to the skin, assist soft tissue in recovering its shape, and sculpt the body contour. The wearing duration for this type of garment is generally from immediately after surgery up to 3 months post-op, requiring continuous 24-hour wear daily. Its fabric must be antibacterial. The pressure level must be sufficient to compress arteries to stop bleeding without affecting venous and lymphatic return. The design must accommodate different surgical sites, be easy to put on and take off, and not interfere with eating, sleeping, or using the restroom, ensuring patient comfort while satisfying the doctor’s compression requirements. Therefore, this type of compression garment is the most professional, demands the highest quality, and absolutely cannot be substituted with other types of compression garments.
In summary, it is evident that while regular shapewear can be worn at various times and occasions, only compression garments specifically designed for post-surgical use meet the requirements for post-operative recovery. Therefore, some people believe that since it is only worn for 3 months after surgery, there is no need to purchase specialized garments, and they try to make do with daily compression garments. This practice is extremely incorrect; it not only compromises the surgical results but also poses risks to physical health.
It helps women correct bad habits and improve their body shape. This includes issues such as hunchback, sagging breasts, flat chest, protruding stomach, “muffin top” (barrel waist), large buttocks, flat buttocks, thick thighs, and “radish legs” (calf asymmetry), etc. Note that the goal is *improvement*, not *change*. Of course, women can also wear shapewear to maintain charming curves.
According to surveys, the vast majority of Japanese women wear shapewear, and even Japanese men have started wearing it to “control” their body shape. However, people suffering from heart disease, asthma, and other conditions are not suitable for wearing shapewear, and women with sensitive skin need to choose carefully.
Body sculpting works by shifting fat to perfect the body shape; long-term wear can lead to significant improvements. At the same time, because the shapewear has a constraining effect on the body, it helps women control their appetite, achieving a slimming effect. Although external pressure can increase the rate of fat metabolism and consumption, thereby providing a certain weight loss effect, shapewear is not a weight loss garment. True weight loss still requires eating less and exercising more. Shapewear is for perfecting body shape and aiding in weight loss.