Psychosocial Differences Between Transgender Individuals With and Without History of Nonsurgical Facial Injectables

Abstract

Background A great deal of research has focused on the psychosocial characteristics of individuals who seek aesthetic procedures as well as the psychological changes they experience after successful treatment. Little research, however, has explored the experiences of transgender individuals who have undergone nonsurgical injectable procedures (NSIPs). Objectives This study examined theoretically relevant psychosocial characteristics of transgender individuals who have and have not undergone NSIPs. Methods An online survey of demographic and psychosocial constructs was disseminated through transgender-specific support groups and Facebook groups from December 2019-February 2020. Psychosocial measures included self-esteem (Rosenberg Self-Esteem Inventory), anticipated discrimination (Intersectional-Anticipated Discrimination), gender identity and physicality congruence (Transgender Congruence Scale), body image (Body Image Quality of Life Inventory), and overall satisfaction with facial appearance (FACE-Q Face Overall). The Mann-Whitney U test assessed differences by history of NSIPs and the Kruskal-Wallis test assessed gender and racial differences. A P-value of <.05 was considered significant. Results Participants (N=101) were transfeminine (n=58), transmasculine (n=31), gender-diverse (n=12) and mostly (71%) white. Almost two-thirds of respondents (62%) reported using NSIPs; six participants reported undergoing NSIPs from non-licensed providers. History of NSIPs was associated with greater self-esteem(P< .01), less anticipated discrimination(P< .01), greater physicality and gender identity congruence(P< .001), greater body image quality of life(P< .001), and greater satisfaction with overall facial appearance (P< .01). Conclusions Participants who used NSIPs reported more positive psychosocial symptoms than participants who have not undergone NSIPs. Experiences with NSIPs may play an important role in psychosocial functioning for transgender individuals.

Evaluating the psychosocial impact of gender‐affirming dermatology treatments: A systematic review

“…Four studies (4/13) included investigations of psychosocial outcomes of nonsurgical injectables. 14,15,20,25 Wilson et al found no significant differences in satisfaction with body appearance or feelings of passing as one's identified gender in transwomen who received filler in their lifetime (n = 33) and those who did not (n = 200), although those who received filler reported higher scores for both outcomes. However, this study was not powered to investigate the psychosocial effects of filler use, as the analyzed data originated from a survey primarily focused on assessing filler's link to HIV risk.…”

“…All 13 studies had their references screened however no further studies were identified for inclusion. [13][14][15][16][17][18][19][20][21][22][23][24][25] An outline of the study selection process is in Figure 1.…”

“…19,24 Two studies (2/13) included both transfeminine and transmasculine individuals in their study population. 14,20…”

Interventions d’affirmation de genre minimalement effractives: arguments en faveur de leur financement public partout au Canada

“…Les conclusions d’un sondage de 2021 mené auprès de personnes TGAS ont montré que celles qui avaient reçu des produits injectables pour le visage, sans chirurgie, faisaient état d’une meilleure estime d’elles-mêmes, d’une image corporelle plus positive, d’une meilleure adéquation de genre et d’une baisse de la discrimination anticipée de la part d’autrui, comparativement à celles qui n’en avaient pas reçu 9 . Une volumineuse étude transversale de 2021 a révélé que les femmes transgenres soumises à un traitement épilatoire d’affirmation de genre étaient en meilleure santé mentale que celles qui n’avaient pas reçu ce traitement 10 .…”

Minimally invasive procedures in gender-affirming care: the case for public funding across Canada

“…The findings of a 2021 survey of TGD individuals showed that people who received nonsurgical facial injectables reported greater self-esteem, a more positive body image, greater gender congruence and less anticipated discrimination from others than people who did not. 9 A large 2021 cross-sectional study found that transgender women who received gender-affirming hair removal had better mental health status than those who did not. 10 Public health care payers may argue that appearance-enhancing procedures should be covered privately.…”