INTRODUCTION
Dermatological procedures such as Botox and injectable dermal fillers are commonly pursued by members of the LGBTQ+ community and are frequently depicted as being sought out only for “cosmetic” or aesthetic purposes.1,2 Studies have shown that these noninvasive procedures can function as crucial components of life-saving gender-affirming care among transgender patients. However, no studies to date have specifically evaluated reasons for dermatology procedure seeking among transgender patients. This study sought to evaluate which dermatological procedures are most pursued by transgender patients and their reasons for acquiring dermatological care.
An IRB-approved survey (NCR235235) was emailed via SurveyMonkey to participants in the platform’s Contribute and Rewards Panels. ANOVA and independent samples t-tests were used for statistical analysis and frequency distribution calculations. Respondents who received dermatological procedures, including Botulinum toxin (Botox), injectable fillers, PRP injections, laser therapy, microdermabrasion, chemical peel, microneedling, silicone injection, sclerotherapy, radiofrequency, CoolSculpting, carboxytherapy, and surgical fat reduction, were included in the data analysis. The survey was sent to a total of 2,880 participants, and 2,275 responded, for a response rate of 79%. Of the remaining respondents, 516 reported receiving dermatological procedures, 138 identified as transgender, with a distribution of 86 transgender men and 52 transgender women.
Of the 138 transgender respondents, 81.9% stated that their personal experiences with gender dysphoria played a role in their decision to seek out dermatological procedures. Transgender men were significantly more likely than transgender women to seek out dermatological care due to gender dysphoria and for the purpose of gender-affirming care (Table 1). The most common individual factors influencing transgender patients’ decisions to seek out dermatological procedures include gender-affirming care, boosting self-esteem, and facial feminization or masculinization (Table 1).
