Managing Dermatologic Effects of Gender-Affirming Therapy in Transgender Adolescents

The document discusses the dermatological effects of gender-affirming therapy in transgender adolescents, including acne and hair growth or loss. Pubertal suppression can alleviate acne, reducing gender dysphoria and acne mental health burdens. However, hormone therapy can cause acne and androgenic alopecia. Acne affects approximately 85% of patients between the ages of 12–25 and can increase with gender dysphoria. For transmasculine adolescents, testosterone therapy can generate or worsen acne. The document also discusses various treatments for acne, including topical retinoids, antibiotics, antiandrogens, oral antibiotics, spironolactone, hormonal contraceptives, and oral isotretinoin. It also covers hair therapy, including the use of topical minoxidil for hair growth in transmasculine adolescents and the treatment of androgenic alopecia with 5-alpha-reductase inhibitors. The document concludes by calling for more research on the dermatological impact of gender-affirming therapy.