Dermatologists have a role in care of transgender patients

(HealthDay)—Dermatologists can help with the physical transformation of transgender individuals, especially facial transformation for women, according to a study published in the February issue of the Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology.

Brian A. Ginsberg, M.D., from the New York University Langone Medical Center in New York City, and colleagues conducted a cross-sectional study using an anonymous online survey to identify areas in which dermatologists could contribute to the physical transformation of transgender individuals. Three hundred twenty-seven individuals completed the survey (63 percent men, 29 percent women, 9 percent other).

The researchers found that most transgender women indicated that the most important thing was to have their face changed, while men noted their chest as most imperative. Hair removal predominated women's facial procedures, followed by surgery, then injectables; these procedures were mainly performed by plastic surgeons. Facial effects induced by hormones varied, with maximal effect usually taking more than two years. Money was the major barrier for choosing procedures; the primary concern was good aesthetic outcome. Participants did not think that facial procedures necessitated the prerequisites that are currently accepted for chest and genital surgery.

"Dermatologists could contribute to the physical transformation of transgender patients through noninvasive procedures," the authors write.

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