Characterizing Dermatological Conditions in the Transgender Population: A Cross-Sectional Study
Issued Date
2023-02-01
Resource Type
eISSN
2380193X
Scopus ID
2-s2.0-85148744448
Journal Title
Transgender Health
Volume
8
Issue
1
Start Page
89
End Page
99
Rights Holder(s)
SCOPUS
Bibliographic Citation
Transgender Health Vol.8 No.1 (2023) , 89-99
Suggested Citation
Rutnin S., Suchonwanit P., Kositkuljorn C., Pomsoong C., Korpaisarn S., Arunakul J., Rattananukrom T. Characterizing Dermatological Conditions in the Transgender Population: A Cross-Sectional Study. Transgender Health Vol.8 No.1 (2023) , 89-99. 99. doi:10.1089/trgh.2021.0105 Retrieved from: https://repository.li.mahidol.ac.th/handle/20.500.14594/82276
Title
Characterizing Dermatological Conditions in the Transgender Population: A Cross-Sectional Study
Author's Affiliation
Other Contributor(s)
Abstract
Purpose: This study aimed to demonstrate the effects of gender-affirming hormone therapy (GAHT) and gender-affirming procedures on the skin in transgender individuals. Methods: We conducted a cross-sectional study among transgender people. Skin conditions related to GAHT were assessed, including acne (using the Investigator’s Global Assessment, IGA), postacne sequelae, melasma, hypertrichosis in androgen-sensitive areas (HAAs) in transgender men (TM) and hirsutism in transgender women (TW) (using the modified Ferriman–Gallwey score, mFG score), and hair loss (using the Hamilton–Norwood and Ludwig scale) at baseline, 6 months after GAHT, and the day on which the questionnaire was completed. Dermatological problems after gender-affirming procedures were evaluated. Results: A total of 159 patients, including 134 TM and 25 TW, were eligible to participate. The median duration of GAHT was 23 and 36 months in TM and TW, respectively. In TM, the median IGA score of facial acne increased from 1 at baseline to 3 after 6 months and decreased to 2 after 2 years of GAHT. The mFG score indicated HAA in all TMs after testosterone treatment. A total of 88.1% of TM had no hair loss before hormone therapy. However, after 2 years of GAHT, 76.1% of TM developed male pattern hair loss (MPHL), and 26.1% of them had moderate-to-severe MPHL. In TW, the median IGA and mFG scores decreased after 3 years of hormone therapy, and the proportion of female pattern hair loss (FPHL) in TW increased to 16% after GAHT. In both groups, the most common skin complication after gender-affirming surgery was hypertrophic scarring. Conclusions: GAHT in TM resulted in acne and MPHL, whereas GAHT in TW caused melasma and FPHL.