Fajas

Fajas are tight-fitting garments designed to provide compression around the torso, used as shapewear, for postural support, or as medical compression. The term faja comes from Spanish and broadly means a band or belt. They are produced in a range of styles, from waist cinchers and high-waisted briefs to full-body pieces that cover the torso and hips. Some fajas are specifically marketed for postpartum support or postoperative care after procedures such as abdominal surgery or liposuction.

Construction and materials commonly include elastic fabrics such as spandex or elastane with nylon or polyester, often lined with cotton. Closures may be hooks, single or multiple rows of hooks, zippers, or adjustable straps. Some designs incorporate boning or stay elements to maintain shape and provide extra support.

Use and fit guidelines emphasize comfort and safety. A faja should be snug but not uncomfortably tight, allowing normal breathing and movement. Operators typically advise gradual wear, starting with a few hours per day and increasing as tolerated. Ill-fitting garments can cause discomfort, restricted breathing, reflux, or impaired circulation. People with cardiovascular or respiratory conditions, pregnancy, hernias, or recent surgery should seek medical advice before use, and fajas are not a substitute for medical treatment.

Care instructions usually call for hand washing or machine washing on a gentle cycle and air drying, avoiding high heat which can degrade elastic fibers. In many cultures, fajas are a common part of daily wear or postpartum recovery, and they remain widely available as shapewear and medical compression options.