Some of these effects can cause long-term damage. In fact, New York bariatric physician Dr. Jyotindra Shah told Huffington Post that the use of corsets can actually bruise the organs. The chest compression associated with ill-fitting corsets is said to have the ability to affect breathing, leading to dizziness, which is why women who lived in the era of corsets many years ago experienced “fainting spells.”

Another issue associated with corsets is rashes. Shah attributes this to contact with the skin. And if a corset is worn repeatedly, rashes may not heal. 

Shapewear may even cause nerve issues. In fact, some experts report observations of nerve problems associated with simple shaping garments, like Spanx and skinny jeans. The Science of Eating notes that Dr. Orly Avitzur, a neurologist and medical advisor for Consumer Reports and author on the subject, has seen this issue firsthand in her practice. One patient even reported tingling in her thigh as well as stomach pain, which subsided once wearing these garments ceased. 

Some women have even reported yeast and bladder infections associated with shapewear. One reason for this is that it can be difficult to use the restroom when wearing items that are difficult to take off and put back on. 

And some experts say that these garments simply don’t work. 

"Spot reducing doesn't exist," Christopher Ochner, Ph.D., weight loss and nutrition expert at Mount Sinai Hospital, tells Marie Claire magazine. "You can't reduce the collection of fat in any one particular area of your body. If you push your stomach in, all the fat will go right back to where it was no matter how long [you wear the corset] for."

Now you know both sides of the story. At the end of the day, the choice as to whether or not to wear a corset is yours and yours alone. However, if you do engage in this practice, DO NOT go for the old-school method of “tight-lacing.” Obtain a custom-fitted garment designed with safety in mind. And consult both your physician and the manufacturer as to how to go about using waist training. After all, no diet trend is worth compromising your health.