A Potential Role for the Dermatologist in the Physical Transformation of Transgender People: A Survey of Attitudes & Practices within the Transgender Community
BACKGROUND:
There
are an estimated 700,000 or more transgender people in the United States,
however their dermatologic needs are not fully established in the medical
literature. Unique needs relate to hormone therapy, prior surgeries, and other
aspects of physical transitioning.
OBJECTIVES:
By
examining attitudes and practices of transgender individuals, we aimed to
identify areas for which dermatologists could contribute to their physical
transformation.
METHODS:
This
cross-sectional study used an anonymous online survey, distributed via lesbian,
gay, bisexual, and transgender organizations; social media; and at targeted
locations and events.
RESULTS:
A total
of 327 people completed the survey (63% men, 29% women, 9% other). Most
transgender women indicated that their face was most imperative to have
changed, whereas men noted their chest, in turn influencing procedures. Of
women's facial procedures, hair removal predominated, followed by surgery then
injectables, mostly performed by plastic surgeons. Hormone-induced facial
effects varied, usually taking over 2 years for maximal effect. When
choosing procedures, money was the major barrier and good aesthetic outcome the
primary concern. Participants did not think that facial procedures necessitate
the currently accepted prerequisites for chest and genital surgery.
LIMITATIONS:
This
study has limited size and convenience sampling.
CONCLUSION:
Dermatologists
could contribute to the physical transformation of transgender patients through
noninvasive procedures.
- 1Ronald O. Perelman Department of Dermatology, New York University Langone Medical Center, New York, New York. Electronic address: brian.ginsberg.md@gmail.com.
- 2New York University School of Medicine, New York.
- 3Department of Dermatology, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, California.
- 4Ronald O. Perelman Department of Dermatology, New York University Langone Medical Center, New York, New York; Day Dermatology and Aesthetics, New York, New York.
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