Managing Dermatologic Effects of Gender-Affirming Therapy in Transgender Adolescents

Abstract

Transgender adolescents seek gender-affirming medical care to address gender identity and incongruence. Improved understanding of the dermatologic impact of gender-affirming medical care such as pubertal suppression, hormone therapy, and surgeries can enhance patient outcome. Pubertal suppression treats dysphoria associated with development of secondary sex characteristics, including androgen-driven acne. Gender-affirming hormone therapy influences acne and hair development in transgender adolescents. Dermatologists can help manage skin effects associated with chest binding and gender-affirming hormone therapy and surgery. Provision of patient-centered gender-affirming care in dermatologic and multidisciplinary settings is essential to improve skin and overall outcomes of gender-affirming therapy.

Keywords:

• gender-affirming care
• testosterone
• estrogen
• acne
• anti-androgen

Introduction

Adolescents and young adults have been increasingly seeking care at gender clinics to discuss gender incongruence or dysphoria.^1,2 Approximately 0.6% of adults in the United States are transgender.³ Younger people more frequently identify as transgender, with 1.8% of American high school students identifying as such in 2017.⁴ Up to 2.7% of high school students identified as transgender and/or gender non-conforming in certain states.⁵

Feelings of gender dysphoria may begin developing as early as the age of 7 years.⁶ Improved understanding and social destigmatization of gender incongruence have contributed to more transgender patients seeking gender-affirming care.⁷ Gender-affirming care for adolescents may involve psychosocial care, pubertal suppression, hormone therapy, and/or surgeries.⁸ This study aims to review: 1) the impact of gender-affirming care on skin and skin conditions in transgender adolescents; 2) management strategies of common dermatological conditions associated with gender-affirming care, and 3) creating a welcoming care environment for transgender adolescents to engage in dermatologic care. For this review, adolescence refers to the period between onset of puberty and 18 to match language in reviewed publications. Young adult refers to those between the ages of 18 and 25.⁹ Use of “youth” refers to both adolescents and young adults.

Terminology and Definitions

Terms related to transgender health evolve over time and may not be accepted by all members of transgender communities.^10,11 We specified the definitions of common terms and concepts related to transgender health in Table 1. In this review, we will use the term transgender as an umbrella term for persons whose gender identity is incongruent with one’s assigned sex at birth.¹² We will also use the terms describing health of transmasculine, transfeminine, or non-binary populations based on terms used in primary references. Usage of terms differs based on individual preference, as they describe personal gender experiences.¹¹ Providers should use language and terminology that their patients prefer.¹³

Table 1 Definitions of Common Terms Related to Transgender Health

Term	Definition
Cisgender/cis	Having a current gender identity that is concordant with one’s assigned sex at birth^Citation12
Transgender/trans	Having a gender identity that is not consistent with one’s assigned sex at birth^Citation12
Gender dysphoria	Distress that may accompany the incongruence between one’s experienced or expressed gender and one’s assigned sex at birth^Citation14
Gender expression	Behaviors associated with culturally defined ways of communicating masculinity and/or femininity, or a rejection of these stereotypes^Citation15
Gender identity	Term indicating a person’s internal sense of their own gender^Citation15
Transfeminine:	Assigned male sex at birth and has a gender identity along the feminine spectrum (includes transgender women and may include non-binary people)^Citation16
Transmasculine:	Assigned female sex at birth and has a gender identity along the masculine spectrum (includes transgender men and may include non-binary people)^Citation17
Non-binary:	Term describing several gender identity groups, including (but not limited to) (a) someone whose gender identity lies between or outside male and female identities, (b) can experience being a man or woman at separate times, or (c) does not experience having a gender identity or rejects having a gender identity.^Citation15
Gender non-conforming	Term describing an individual whose gender expression and/or identity does not conform with what is typically seen for an assigned sex within a societal context^Citation14

Overview of Gender-Affirming Care and Implications for Skin Conditions

Pubertal suppression via gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) agonists delays development of secondary sex characteristics. GnRH agonists inhibit pubertal androgen production, thus reducing androgen-mediated skin issues.^18,19

Hormone therapy usually involves using testosterone for transmasculine patients and estrogen for transfeminine patients to develop secondary sex characteristics congruent with their gender identity. Testosterone therapy can cause acne and androgenic alopecia, while estrogen therapy could reduce acne but does not sufficiently reduce unwanted hair.^13,20–22

Gender-affirming surgeries further reduce dysphoria. As with other surgical procedures, scarring can present clinical concerns.^23,24

Components of gender-affirming care, their dermatological effects, and corresponding management strategies are summarized in Table 2.

Table 2 Gender-Affirming Effect and Dermatological Impact of Pubertal Suppression

Gender Affirming Therapy	Gender-Affirming Effect	Dermatological Impact	Current Management Strategies
GnRH Agonists	Prevents development of secondary sex characteristics incongruent with gender identity	Possibly reduces acne and other androgen-driven dermatological conditions^Citation18,Citation19
Testosterone Therapy	Helps develop secondary sex characteristics congruent with the gender identity of transmasculine patients	Worsened Acne^Citation13	- Topical Retinoids, Antibiotics, and/or Antiandrogens - Oral antibiotics - Oral Isotretinoin^Citation25–28
		Androgenic Alopecia^Citation20,Citation29	- 5-alpha-reductase inhibitors^Citation20
Estrogen Therapy	Helps develop secondary sex characteristics congruent to the gender identity of transfemminine patients	Possible Reduced Acne^Citation21
		Insufficient reduction in unwanted hair^Citation22	- Laser hair removal - Antiandrogens (eg cyproterone acetate*)^Citation30
Gender-Affirming Surgeries	Various gender-affirming surgeries help reduce gender dysphoria	Scarring (Potentially Hypertrophic)^Citation31	- Scar aftercare - Intralesional corticosteroid injections - Silicone gel/sheets - Laser therapy - Cryotherapy - Topical anti-androgens.^Citation23,Citation24,Citation32

Note: *Cyperotone acetate is not available in the United States.

Acne Epidemiology and Impact of Pubertal Suppression on Acne

Acne affects approximately 85% of patients between the ages of 12–25.³³ Acne is the third highest cause of disability-adjusted life year loss among skin diseases and the most common condition seen between the ages of 15–24 in outpatient dermatology practices.^34,35 Acne typically starts in puberty due to hormonal changes.³⁶ Severity of acne increases with Tanner stage.^37,38 Gender dysphoria also increases around ages 10–13 as endogenous puberty begins and transgender adolescents undergo undesired Tanner development stages.³⁹ Timing of pubertal acne and increasing levels of gender dysphoria thus overlap in transgender adolescents.

Reversible pubertal suppression via gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) agonists reduces dysphoria in transgender adolescents. Pubertal suppression, typically used from initiation of puberty up until age 16, delays the development of secondary sex characteristics and reduces associated gender dysphoria.^11,40,41 Pubertal suppression provides time to explore gender identity before making informed decisions on gender-affirming hormone therapy.^39,42–45 Multiple guidelines recommend pubertal suppression to reduce gender dysphoria for transgender adolescents starting puberty above Tanner stage 2 in the absence of contraindications.^42,46,47 Pubertal suppression in transgender adolescents significantly improves general functioning and decreases depressive symptoms and suicidal ideation.^48–50

Pubertal suppression could alleviate acne, reducing gender dysphoria and acne mental health burdens.⁵¹ In adults, GnRH agonists have been used to treat acne and hirsutism by suppressing androgen production.^52,53 Pubertal suppression can temporarily exacerbate acne by simulating luteinizing hormone and follicle-stimulating hormone.³⁹ This transient effect generally resolves with continued pubertal suppression.³⁹

Patients receiving pubertal suppression and estrogen/testosterone therapy concurrently required lower doses of hormones to reach gender expression goals compared to patients receiving estrogen/testosterone therapy alone.⁵⁴ The impact of pubertal suppression on acne incidence and severity, as well as other long-term skin health outcomes, remains to be explored.⁵⁵ Increased research would help inform healthcare providers on the effects of pubertal suppression.

Impact of Gender-Affirming Hormone Therapy on Acne

For transmasculine adolescents, testosterone therapy can generate or worsen acne.¹³ In transmasculine individuals taking testosterone, acne commonly develops over the lower third of the face, chest, upper arms, and back – similar in location to hormonal acne in cisgender individuals.^13,56

Few studies explored acne epidemiology in transgender adolescents. For transmasculine adolescents using Lynestrenol (a progestin) to induce amenorrhea, acne significantly increased after starting testosterone in combination with Lynestrenol.⁵⁷ Acne became most prevalent between 6 and 12 months of testosterone therapy for adolescents starting testosterone therapy after pubertal suppression.⁵⁸ 29.6% of young transmasculine adults aged 18–21 experienced acne over 2 years of testosterone treatment, in a study of 988 transmasculine patients.⁵⁹ Younger age at time of testosterone initiation increases acne incidence, and participants between the ages of 18–25 had the greatest acne risk.⁵⁹ Transgender young men between 18–29 experience the most moderate-to-severe acne compared to older transgender men.⁶⁰ Severity of acne presentation has not been systemically studied in transgender adolescents.

Little data exists on dermatologic effects of hormone therapy for transfeminine patients. Estrogen therapy and spironolactone, an anti-androgen, reduce sebum and decrease acne in transfeminine adults.^21,61,62

GnRH agonists into adulthood or selective estrogen receptor modulators (SERMs) have been reported for use in gender-affirming therapy for non-binary individuals.^63,64 SERMs contribute to skin elasticity in softness in post-menopausal cisgender women, but dermatologic effects have not been explored for non-binary patients.⁶³

Mental Health Among Acne Patients and in Transgender Adolescents

Studies have thoroughly documented acne’s association with mental health comorbidities in the general population. Acne increases depression and anxiety among adolescents.⁶⁵ Adolescent females tend to have worse mental health burden than adolescent males.^66–68

Increasing acne severity in adolescents correlates increased social impairment, lower attachment to friends, and less experience with romantic relationships.⁶⁹ Increasing perceived social stigma due to acne predicts quality of life impairment among adolescents and young adults.⁷⁰ Adolescents and young adults with acne have increased association with suicide (either ideation, attempt, or death).⁷¹ Concerns about perceived adverse effects, effectiveness of acne treatments, and perceived medical provider trivialization exacerbate psychological impact.⁷²

Few studies linking acne with adverse mental health outcomes focus on transgender and gender non-conforming adolescents, despite their disproportionate mental health burden.^73,74 Transgender adolescents experience more bullying in school and have a severalfold higher suicide risk than cisgender adolescents.^4,75,76 10% reported leaving school due to mistreatment and lack of support from teachers and peers.⁷⁷ Transgender and non-binary youth experience increased risk of negative mental health outcomes in comparison to cisgender sexual minority adolescents.⁷⁸ Socially transitioned transgender pre-pubescent children between 3–12 years have depression and anxiety levels comparable to their cisgender siblings and age-matched peers, suggesting social support throughout transition may reduce negative mental health outcomes.⁷⁹ Family-connectedness, teacher support, and feeling safe in one’s community protect against negative mental health outcomes among transgender adolescents.^5,80 Receiving gender-affirming hormone therapy decreases depression and suicidality and improves well-being.^49,81,82

Transmasculine adults receiving testosterone with current moderate-to-severe acne (defined by the patient) reported increased anxiety and depression symptoms compared to those who never had acne in a survey of 283 patients.⁸³ Further research could help characterize how acne’s mental health burden affects not only adults but adolescent transgender patients as well.

Medical provider practices promoting inclusivity improve transgender patient mental health outcomes. Transgender adolescents tend to seek dermatological care from doctors who identify as a sexual or gender minority because of the expectation they will be more respectful toward and more knowledgeable about transgender patient skin conditions.⁸⁴ More research could characterize how provider-patient relationships affect mental health among transgender adolescents, as most existing literature focuses on transgender adults’ relationships with medical providers. 25.4% of transgender adults postponed medical care when sick because of anticipated discrimination from healthcare providers, and 19% were at some point refused medical treatment due to their gender identity.^77,85 Transgender adults reported better mental health if they felt respected by their physician.⁸⁶ Transgender adults’ perceived healthcare provider comfort with their gender identity predicts wellbeing, independent of health status.⁸⁷

Current Management Strategies for Acne: Considerations for a Gender Diverse Population

Healthcare providers should proactively address acne as a side effect of gender-affirming care. Successful management of acne results in noticeable improvements when comparing before (Figure 1A and B) and after (Figure 1C and D) treatment.

Figure 1 (A and B) Images of patient before acne treatment (C and D) Improved acne after 3 months of oral doxycycline, benzoyl peroxide wash, and topical tretinoin followed by 2 months of isotretinoin.

Before initiating acne treatment, providers should conduct an organ inventory to assess childbearing potential as many acne treatments are teratogenic.¹³ In patients who can become pregnant and need teratogenic medication, contraceptive needs and sexual behaviors should not be assumed but rather thoughtfully explored. While conducting organ inventory, providers should use general terms such as “chest” and “genitalia” instead of “breast”, “vagina”, or “penis” to avoid triggering gender dysphoria.⁸⁸ Pregnancy can occur in transmasculine patients with retained functional uterus and ovaries during and after testosterone therapy if they engage in penis-vagina sexual intercourse with sperm-producing partners.⁸⁹ Contraception is important for transmasculine persons who can become pregnant who require teratogenic acne mediations, as discussed in detail in the following isotretinoin section.⁹⁰ Transmasculine patients who have undergone hysterectomy and/or bilateral oophorectomy would not need contraception while taking teratogenic medications.⁸⁸

With no current evidence-based guidelines for treating hormonal acne in testosterone therapy, treatment plans use guidelines established for treating acne in cisgender persons not receiving hormone therapy.⁵¹ Acne is classified as mild, moderate, or severe. Mild acne encompasses having some comedones and no more than a few papules/pustules, moderate acne has some papules/pustules and no more than one nodule, and severe acne consists of having more than one nodule.²⁶

Mild Acne

Topical retinoids like adapalene and tretinoin treat mild to moderate comedonal and inflammatory acne. Topical trifarotene has been specifically studied for treating truncal acne,²⁵ which may be more prominent in patients with testosterone-induced acne. Topical retinoids carry a teratogenic risk and providers should advise patients appropriately.

Topical antibiotics like clindamycin and erythromycin manage mild to moderate acne. Topical antibiotics are often combined with topical benzoyl peroxide to mitigate the risk of resistance and improve effectiveness.²⁶

Topical antiandrogens, such as clascoterone, treat both inflammatory and non-inflammatory facial acne with minimal adverse effects or safety concerns.⁹¹ Although clascoterone clinical trials did not document gender-affirming hormone therapy use in participants, topical antiandrogens in transmasculine patients could reduce testosterone action in the skin and curb acne development.²⁷

Moderate-to-Severe Acne

Oral antibiotics, such as doxycycline and minocycline, treat moderate-to-severe acne or acne affecting a large body surface area.²⁸ As doxycycline carries possible teratogenic risk, providers should notify and counsel patients with childbearing potential.⁹²

Spironolactone effectively treats acne in cisgender women.⁹³ Transfeminine patients report improvement in their acne with spironolactone treatment in addition to other anti-androgenic effects which facilitate their transition goals.²¹ In transmasculine patients, although spironolactone may hypothetically improve acne, it may contradict transition goals by causing irregular bleeding and gynecomastia.⁹⁴ As an anti-androgen, spironolactone is counterproductive to testosterone therapy.⁹⁵ Spironolactone carries a teratogenic potential that should be addressed in patients with childbearing potential.⁹⁶

Hormonal contraceptives address contraception as part of acne treatment but are generally not used as a primary treatment for acne in transmasculine patients.¹³ Combined oral contraceptives (COCs) containing ethinyl estradiol both treat acne and provide contraception in cisgender women.⁹⁷ For transmasculine patients, COCs have feminizing effects which may contradict transition goals.⁹⁸ Progestin-only contraceptives, such as norethinsterone (also known as norethindrone), cease uterine bleeding in alignment with transition goals for transmasculine patients. However, progestin-only contraceptives (including long-acting reversible contraception) could exacerbate acne.¹³

Oral isotretinoin is indicated for managing scarring acne, moderate acne refractory to other treatments, severe acne, and acne causing psychosocial distress.²⁶ As isotretinoin’s severe teratogenic effects may lead to fetal death, the US Food and Drug Administration requires all patients taking it to be registered in the iPLEDGE program. Effective December 13th, 2021, iPLEDGE program categorizes patients into “patients who can become pregnant” and “patients who cannot get pregnant.”⁹⁹ While the new gender-neutral classification may not be completely inclusive, it moves towards more inclusive care. iPLEDGE requires patients who can get pregnant to receive monthly contraceptive counseling and pregnancy testing in addition to committing to either complete abstinence with sperm-producing partners or consistent use of two forms of contraception.¹⁰⁰ Testosterone therapy, even if amenorrhea is achieved, is neither a reliable contraception method nor a contraindication to other forms of contraception.^90,101 In patients who qualify for isotretinoin treatment and are under the age of 18 years, a parent or a legal guardian should read, understand, and sign iPLEDGE.¹⁰⁰ However, adolescent patients should be reassured that their confidentiality will be preserved except in cases of abuse that legally require disclosure.

Dermatologic Impacts of Chest Binding, Tucking, and Packing

Although not gender-affirming measures usually provided by clinicians, healthcare providers should familiarize themselves with chest binding, tucking, and packing and associated dermatologic impacts.

Many young transmasculine patients use chest binding to flatten the chest and relieve gender dysphoria before they can get gender-affirming chest reconstruction surgery.^102–104 They commonly use commercial binders designed for tight compression, although some use other methods (including elastic bandages or tape) based on financial means and/or parental support.¹⁰⁵ Chest binding prevents misgendering and promotes safety and confidence.¹⁰⁴ Binding, especially with high frequency, can cause physical side effects.^105,106 Chest size correlates with dermatological problems when binding.¹⁰⁵ Acne, itch, skin infection, and skin changes affect most who bind.¹⁰² 33.3% and 45.1% of youth who bind experience acne and itch respectively within the first year of binding, in a survey of 1800 individuals.¹⁰³ Skin changes, such as skin infection and reduced elasticity, have lower prevalence and a later onset.¹⁰³ Decreased skin elasticity from chest binding limits options for and/or negatively influences the outcome of gender-affirming chest reconstruction surgery.^31,107–109 For patients with decreased skin elasticity, more extensive chest incisions may be required for gender-affirming chest surgery to avoid wrinkling and unevenness of excess skin, resulting in more scarring.¹¹⁰ Prevention of unwanted chest development through pubertal suppression decreases need for chest binding.¹⁰³

Providers can manage symptoms associated with binding while recognizing the importance of binding for safety and mental health. Aside from addressing acne, providers can help reduce itch with topical emollients.¹¹¹ Skin infections diagnosed early and treated with appropriate antibiotics have good outcome.¹¹² Although 82.3% of transgender patients recognize the importance of discussing binding with healthcare providers, 56.3% feel safe and comfortable initiating conversation about binding.¹⁰² Insensitivity and lack of understanding from healthcare professionals present a large obstacle to care.¹¹³ Currently, almost all trans youth report learn about binding online, not in healthcare settings.¹⁰⁵ Reduced time binding lessens physical symptoms, but the balance between side effects and benefits of binding depends on the informed decision of the patient.^103,106 Health providers can help patients determine their binder sizing and improve accessibility for commercial binders, especially if patients have parental or financial obstacles.¹⁰⁴ These measures could help reduce long-term skin and tissue changes.

Similar to binding, tucking or packing help relieve dysphoria non-surgically.¹¹⁴ Tucking in transfeminine individuals involves placing testes upwards, close to the inguinal canal, and securing external genitalia between the legs to flatten the lower pelvis.^114,115 70% of transfeminine patients report tucking, with 28%, 21%, and 12% experiencing itch, rash, and skin infection respectively.¹¹⁵ In a survey of 79 transfeminine adults, itching, rash, and testicular pain were the most commonly reported health effects.¹¹⁶ For itch and rash in the groin area, topical emollients to repair skin barrier and antihistamines to suppress the itch-scratch-itch cycle can help.¹¹⁷ Skin infection should be diagnosed and treated promptly with the appropriate antibiotics.¹¹² Transmasculine patients may also “pack” or use “packers” in the underwear to give the appearance of a bulge.^114,118 This may cause irritation of tissue in the area.¹¹⁸ Further research is needed to inform clinicians on how to address dermatologic effects of tucking or packing.

Hair Therapy: Impacts of Gender-Affirming Hormone Therapy and Dermatological Strategies to Reduce Gender Dysphoria

Hair growth and/or removal can be an essential element of gender-affirming therapy.¹¹⁹ There is limited data on hair growth for transmasculine adolescents on testosterone. Preliminary data suggests topical minoxidil can help growth of pigmented hair in desired patterns in transmasculine adolescents, including those with limited access to testosterone therapy.¹²⁰ In transmasculine adults, testosterone therapy significantly increases facial, chest, and abdominal hair growth.^121,122 Androgenic alopecia from testosterone therapy, seen in some young adults, may be treated by 5-alpha-reductase inhibitors like finasteride.²⁹ However, 5-alpha-reductase inhibitors may reduce systemic testosterone effects.^20,123

84% of transgender women receiving estrogen still report persistent excess facial and body hair.²² This may affect transfeminine adolescents, depending on the stage of puberty. Treatment with cyproterone acetate (note: not available in the USA), an anti-androgen, either alone or in combination with estrogens, reduces the need for facial shaving in transfeminine patients in late adolescence.³⁰

As hormone therapy and pubertal suppression affect hair distribution, temporary solutions like wigs, hair extensions, and hair drawing could facilitate desired gender expression until hormonal effects on hair stabilize. After hair distribution stabilizes, patients can consider more permanent solutions such as hair transplant and hairline lowering surgery.¹²⁴

For patients who desire hair removal, solutions like shaving, waxing, and depilatory creams may not achieve the desired transition effect. Transfeminine patients can use laser hair removal to safely and effectively reduce unwanted hair.¹²⁵ Laser hair removal uses light to target hair melanin to destroy follicular bulbs and usually takes up to 6 sessions, each spaced 6 weeks apart.^125–127 Laser hair removal is less effective in patients with fairer hair and/or darker skin.¹²⁸

Transfeminine patients can also reduce unwanted hair via electrolysis. In electrolysis, probes use electrical current to destroy hair follicles.¹²⁸ Electrolysis can remove any hair color and performs well with fairer hair, unlike laser hair removal.¹²⁹ Electrolysis often spans over a year or more, with sessions every one or two weeks. Patients report more pain with electrolysis compared to laser hair removal.^129,130 Transfeminine patients note inability and/or unwillingness to grow out facial hair for electrolysis.¹²⁸

Patients who have undergone hair treatment as part of their transition have reported less distress, better subjective well-being, and more body satisfaction compared to their peers.^128,131 Transition hair goals should be explored and not assumed based on cisnormative standards. Providers should explore the patients’ hair pattern prior to and during transitioning, family history of hair loss and hirsutism, and possible underlying endocrine and skin conditions that may affect the hair. Patients can be asked to bring model photos and/or draw lines of desired hair distribution.

Dermatological Considerations for Gender-Affirming Surgery

Transmasculine adolescents can undergo gender-affirming chest reconstruction surgery, also known as “top surgery.”³¹ Top surgery improved quality of life, functioning, and mental health, as testosterone therapy alone was inadequate in relieving gender dysphoria.^17,132 Patients may choose “keyhole” or “periareolar” surgery, associated with less scarring.^31,133 Patients with reduced skin elasticity or more chest tissue often undergo the “double incision free nipple graft” procedure instead, associated with increased scarring but better outcomes.^31,133,134

Isotretinoin may lead to delayed wound healing persisting up to one year after discontinuation, posing a challenge gender-affirming surgery recovery.²⁶ Transgender patients with recent or upcoming surgeries with truncal acne could use oral antibiotics instead to reduce inflammation and scarring and optimize surgical outcomes.¹³

After gender-affirming surgery, providers should review scar aftercare with patients. Silicone gel improves outcome of surgical wounds.¹³⁵ Ablative laser resurfacing can remodel scars, and non-ablative lasers help reduce redness of scars.¹³⁶ Surgical revision techniques, such as a Z-plasty, improve scar aesthetics.¹³⁷ Transgender patients also get tattoos to cover scars.¹³⁸ Specialized medical tattooing, known as dermatography, smoothens scars and improves aesthetics.¹³⁹ Treatment of top surgery scars with a novel topical spironolactone gel resulted in significantly higher patient satisfaction compared with silicone gel alone. Because testosterone could exacerbate scar tissue and keloid development, topical spironolactone could reduce scarring while avoiding undesired anti-androgenic systemic effects of oral spironolactone.³²

Hypertrophic scars and keloids can develop because of surgery.^31,40,140 Care for keloids generally consists of intralesional corticosteroid injections.¹⁴¹ Other treatments for keloids include silicone gel/sheets, cryotherapy, radiation, and laser therapy.^23,24,142 Data regarding keloid treatment comes from general population studies, so further research on how keloid treatments may interact with gender-affirming therapy could help inform care.

Scar revision and treatment for hypertrophic scars applies to other gender-affirming surgeries. For instance, some transmasculine young adults undergo hysterectomy.¹⁴³ Scarring can be reduced through minimally invasive hysterectomies.^144,145 Other gender-affirming surgeries, which most patients undergo at an older age, include vaginoplasty, metoidioplasty, phalloplasty, and breast augmentation surgery.^146–150

Improving General Care for Transgender Adolescents: Creating a Welcoming Clinical Setting

Creating a welcoming clinical environment is key to providing a positive healthcare experience for transgender adolescents.¹³ Some transgender patients avoid seeking healthcare due to anticipated discrimination, cisnormativity, or harassment within healthcare settings.¹⁵¹ Transgender knowledge incompetency of providers and staff, inadequate insurance, and socioeconomic barriers prevent ideal healthcare for transgender patients.¹⁵²

A successful medical encounter with a transgender patient starts with fostering a gender-inclusive environment including gender-neutral intake forms with no identity assumptions, available all-gender restrooms, and welcoming signs that show support and alliance to transgender patients.^101,153 Familiarity with common terminology used by transgender patients facilitates patient-provider conversations.¹³ Patient-centered language adaptation includes but is not limited to the names and pronouns the patients use in addition to their terms for sexual orientation, gender identity, sexual behavior, and anatomy.¹¹ As some transgender people use names different from the names listed in the medical or legal records, patients should be routinely asked how they should be addressed.¹³ As sexual orientation and gender identity are fluid, providers should routinely explore and document them on medical records.¹³ Patients have positively responded to routine collection of sexual orientation and gender identity, which has been advocated for in dermatologic care.¹⁵⁴

Providers introducing themselves with their pronouns or wearing pronoun pins may further promote a gender-inclusive environment.¹³ Physical examination should focus on relevant body parts to the chief complaint with obtaining constant consent prior to examining each body part and bearing in mind that some patients may wear chest binders or other gender-affirming devices.¹³ To further strengthen rapport, patients should be empowered to take the lead in showing the body parts that are both relevant to the encounter and the patient is comfortable with showing.¹⁵⁵

Multidisciplinary Care

Acne treatments may interfere with transition goals, as anti-androgenic compounds and some hormonal contraceptives contradict gender expression goals for transmasculine patients while isotretinoin interferes with wound healing for gender-affirming surgeries. Acne treatment prescribers should also consider logistics behind prescribing acne medications (ie iPLEDGE) or teratogenic risks for patients. Providers should hold a thorough and gender-affirming discussion with transgender patients to better set expectations and learn about transition goals.

Isotretinoin has been associated with psychiatric disturbances such as depression, anxiety, and suicidality.¹⁵⁶ Conversely, other studies report that isotretinoin improves depressive symptoms and quality of life in patients with moderate and severe acne.¹⁵⁷ Of note, transgender persons have a higher prevalence of depression, anxiety, and suicidality compared to their cisgender peers.¹⁵⁸ Providers should routinely screen and monitor for signs of depression and mental health comorbidities in transgender patients, especially those receiving isotretinoin.

Optimal care for transgender patients fosters their transition goals and physical/mental well-being. To achieve this, healthcare providers should ensure multidisciplinary care with clear communication between the patients’ dermatologist, primary care provider, hormone provider, gender-affirming surgeon, reproductive health specialist, and mental health provider.¹³

Conclusion

To provide comprehensive care to transgender adolescents, providers should understand the dermatological impact of gender-affirming therapy. Increased research on transgender healthcare would clarify skin impacts of gender-affirming therapy. Further research is needed to characterize the impact of GnRH agonists on skin in transgender adolescents. Research should explore whether testosterone-induced acne can be prevented or mitigated. Information about how estrogen therapy affects acne and acne medication considerations for transfeminine patients is lacking. Studies investigating whether acne treatment improves mental health outcomes in transgender teenagers receiving hormone therapy can help providers address side effects with the most impact. Studies should monitor how emerging gender-affirming therapies affect the skin and establish care guidelines that address skin effects while achieving gender affirmation goals.

Patient Consent

The patient in Figure 1 has provided informed consent for the publication of images.

Disclosure

Dr Yeung is supported by the National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases under award numbers L30AR076081 and K23AR075888. The content is solely the responsibility of the authors and does not necessarily represent the official views of the National Institutes of Health or US Department of Veterans Affairs. The authors report no other conflicts of interest in this work.