Understanding and Addressing Hair Disorders in Transgender Individuals

January 2018 in “ American Journal of Clinical Dermatology ”

Yi Gao, Toby Maurer, Paradi Mirmirani

hormone therapy testosterone therapy male pattern hair loss hirsutism estrogen therapy androgenetic alopecia finasteride minoxidil antiandrogens spironolactone surgical options hair removal electrolysis laser hair removal Propecia Rogaine

TLDR Hormone therapy affects hair growth in transgender individuals, with testosterone potentially causing hair loss in trans men and estrogen reducing facial/body hair in trans women; treatment options vary.

The 2018 document discusses the impact of hormone therapy on hair disorders in transgender individuals, detailing how testosterone therapy in trans men can lead to male pattern hair loss and hirsutism, while estrogen therapy in trans women can decrease facial and body hair growth. It cites studies, including one with 17 trans men and another with 53 trans men, showing increased hirsutism and the development of androgenetic alopecia, respectively. In trans women, a study of 21 individuals showed decreased hirsutism after hormone therapy. Treatments for hair disorders include finasteride and minoxidil, with their respective side effects and benefits, and the use of antiandrogens like spironolactone. Surgical options and hair removal methods such as electrolysis and laser hair removal are also discussed. The document emphasizes the need for dermatologists to understand the hormonal influences on hair growth and the specific treatments for hair disorders in transgender patients. However, no controlled studies have evaluated the effectiveness of estrogen on male pattern hair loss in trans women, and the document does not provide the number of participants in the studies, limiting the assessment of the study's strength.

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