How to go to the bathroom in a faja or bodysuit
How to go to the bathroom in a faja or bodysuit: zipper crotch, snaps and open gussets explained, step by step, plus bladder tips so you never have to hold it.
It is the question nobody asks in the store but everyone thinks about at the party: how do I pee in this thing? Good news. Most fajas and bodysuits are designed so you do not have to undress. Here is how each type of opening works, step by step, and why you should never hold it just because of what you are wearing.
Do you have to take off a faja to go to the bathroom?
Usually not. Most body-style shapewear has some kind of opening at the crotch. The three common types are:
- Zipper crotch. A short zipper runs through the crotch so you can open it like a little door.
- Snaps or hooks. A panel at the crotch fastens with snaps or small hooks. This is common on everyday bodysuits.
- Open gusset. Honeylove describes this as overlapping panels that you simply part when you use the restroom.
If you are shopping, check for one of these before you buy, especially for long days like weddings or travel.
How do I pee in a faja with a zipper?
- Wash or sanitize your hands first.
- Lower any clothes over the faja: lift your dress or lower your pants.
- Unzip the crotch slowly, holding the fabric flat so the zipper does not catch.
- Sit all the way down on the seat.
- Go, then wipe from front to back.
- Pat the edges of the opening dry, then zip closed while you are still seated or half standing, so the fabric stays flat.
Our Smoothing Faja Bodysuit is one option made for this. It has a zipper crotch, so bathroom breaks do not mean undoing the hook-and-eye front or the straps.
How do I pee in a bodysuit with snaps?
- Lift your skirt or lower your pants.
- Unsnap the crotch, starting from one side.
- Fold the front panel up and hold it out of the way, or tuck it lightly into your waistband.
- Sit, go, and wipe front to back.
- Dry your hands, line up the snaps, and close them one by one. Check in the mirror that the panel is straight.
Our Square Neck Long Sleeve Bodysuit has a snap closure and a thong back, so it stays tucked and smooth under jeans and skirts and you only open the snaps when you need to go.
How do I use an open gusset?
Honeylove's steps are simple: sit all the way down, gently part the panels with clean hands, go as usual, wipe front to back, pat the edges of the panels dry and let them fall back into place. They add that wearing your true size keeps the gusset lined up, so it is easier to open and close.
Should I hold my pee because my outfit is complicated?
No. The National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK) says to go to the bathroom when you need to go. Regularly holding urine can wear out bladder muscles and raise the risk of a bladder infection. The National Institute on Aging also says not to hold urine for long periods, since it can make a bladder infection more likely.
Two more tips from the NIDDK that matter in shapewear:
- Take your time. Take as much time as you need to fully empty your bladder. Do not rush because you are worried about the closures.
- Sit, do not hover. Women should try to relax the muscles around the bladder by sitting on the toilet seat or using a full squat. Hovering can keep those muscles from relaxing and leave urine in the bladder.
Any tips for keeping things fresh all day?
- Wipe front to back and dry the opening before you close it, so moisture does not stay against the fabric.
- Breathable fabric helps. The National Institute on Aging suggests cotton underwear and loose clothes to prevent moisture buildup.
- Do a practice run at home. Try the opening once before a big event so you know how it works.
- Choose your true size. A faja that is too small pulls the opening out of place and is harder to close.
Once you know your piece, a bathroom break takes about as long as it would in regular underwear.
What if my shapewear has no opening?
Then plan a little extra time. Open the dress or pants, roll the shapewear down to your thighs rather than off completely, and sit all the way down. Rolling it back up is easier if your skin is dry. For long events, a piece with a zipper, snaps or an open gusset saves a lot of wrestling in a small stall.
Keep going: Shapewear compression levels explained: light vs firm and Shapewear bodysuit vs shaping shorts: which do you need?.
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Questions
Do you have to take off a faja to pee?
Not if it has a crotch opening. Many fajas have a zipper, hooks or an open gusset at the crotch so you can go without taking the whole thing off.
How do you pee in a bodysuit with snaps?
Unsnap the closure at the crotch, lift the front panel up out of the way, go, then dry your hands and snap it closed again before you stand all the way up.
Is it bad to hold your pee because of shapewear?
Yes, try not to. The NIDDK says regularly holding urine can wear out bladder muscles and raise the risk of a bladder infection. Go when you need to.
Should I hover over the toilet in a bodysuit?
It is better to sit. The NIDDK says women should sit on the toilet seat or use a full squat, because hovering can keep the muscles from relaxing and leave urine in the bladder.
Keep reading
Sources: Honeylove: how do you go to the bathroom with shapewear? · NIDDK: bladder health and prevention of bladder control problems · National Institute on Aging: 5 ways to improve your bladder health