Transgender Adolescents and Acne: A Case Series

March 2018 in “ Pediatric Dermatology ”

Lucía Campos-Muñoz, Diego López-De Lara, Marina L. Rodríguez-Rojo, Alberto Conde‐Taboada, Eduardo López‐Bran

testosterone isotretinoin acne liver function monitoring teratogenic hepatotoxic testosterone treatment Accutane

TLDR Testosterone treatment in transgender teens can worsen acne, requiring careful treatment due to mental health and medication side effects.

The document from 2018 reported on a case series involving five female-to-male transgender adolescents aged 16-18 who experienced increased acne severity as a result of testosterone treatment. Two patients were treated with isotretinoin, with one discontinuing due to remission and the other due to depression, while the remaining patients received other acne treatments with regular liver function monitoring. The study highlighted the need for careful management of acne in transgender adolescents, considering the mental health risks and the ethical and medical implications of isotretinoin use, which is teratogenic and may have hepatotoxic effects when used with testosterone. The study underscored the higher prevalence of depression and suicide in the transgender population, which necessitates a cautious approach to acne treatment in this group.

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24 citations, March 2018 in “Pediatric Dermatology”

Testosterone treatment in transgender teens can worsen acne, requiring careful treatment due to mental health and medication side effects.