Should I Wait to Get Facial Rejuvenation Treatment Until After Gender-Affirming Surgery?

For many transgender individuals, surgery is a major milestone in their journey to align their physical body with their gender identity. For many patients, the best time for facial rejuvenation treatment may need clarification. Answers depend on several factors, including personal goals, the procedures being considered, and the impact of hormone therapy on facial structure and skin. This blog will explain the benefits and possible drawbacks of “prejuvenating” and waiting until after surgery.

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The Role of Facial Rejuvenation in Gender Confirmation

While it’s common to undergo facial feminization (FFS) or facial masculinization surgery (FMS) prior to top or bottom surgery, rejuvenation treatments that address facial quality, smoothness, and volume can be done at any time. These procedures can complement FFS or other gender-aligning treatments.

Facial rejuvenation includes a range of surgical and non-surgical cosmetic treatments that enhance facial appearance by smoothing wrinkles, improving skin texture, restoring lost volume, and refining facial contours. Deciding when to have these procedures requires careful consideration of how they impact other surgical and non-surgical gender-affirming treatments.

Some individuals choose to have facial rejuvenation treatments before M2F or F2M surgery, while others wait until after their major procedures are complete. Each approach has its advantages, and the right timing depends on individual needs and long-term aesthetic goals.

Facial Rejuvenation: Before or After Gender-Affirming Surgery?

There is no one answer to this question, as the right time for facial rejuvenation depends on the procedures you’re considering, the effects of hormone therapy, and your overall transition plan. Below, we explore the pros and cons of pre and post-surgical facial rejuvenation.

Reasons to Get Facial Rejuvenation Before Gender-Affirming Surgery

For some individuals, starting with non-surgical facial rejuvenation treatments before undergoing major surgery can be beneficial.

• Preparing the Skin for Surgery: Skin quality plays a big role in cosmetic surgery outcomes, especially for procedures like facelifts, brow lifts, or jaw contouring. Chemical peels, RF microneedling, and laser therapy can help optimize skin health, making it more resilient before a major surgery.
• Addressing Visible Aging to Minimize Surgical Needs: If skin laxity, fine lines, or volume loss are concerns, early intervention with non-surgical treatments may prevent the need for more extensive corrections later.
• Trying Temporary Options Before Facial Surgery: Non-surgical options like BOTOX® Cosmetic and dermal fillers allow individuals to test out facial changes before making a long-term commitment to surgery. This is especially useful for anyone unsure about jawline enhancement, cheek augmentation, or lip volume adjustments.
• Enhancing Facial Features as You Transition: Non-surgical treatments like fillers or BOTOX® Cosmetic can provide subtle refinements to help shape and contour facial features before permanent surgery. Laser skin resurfacing and microneedling can improve skin texture and elasticity for smoother skin (especially before FFS).

Reasons to Wait Until After Gender-Affirming Surgery for Facial Rejuvenation

While pre-surgical rejuvenation has its benefits, waiting until after major gender-affirming procedures can also be a good option.

• Allows for Healing Time and Contour Settling: Gender-affirming surgeries, like facial feminization or masculinization surgery, change facial structures. However, post-surgical swelling and changes take months to settle, so it’s hard to determine what extra enhancements are needed right away.
• Assessing Hormone Impact: Testosterone and estrogen therapy can naturally alter facial contours by shifting fat distribution and skin texture. It’s best to allow hormone therapy to take full effect before considering additional cosmetic treatments.
• Enhancing Gender-Affirming Surgery Results: Some rejuvenation treatments, such as facelift, brow lift, and eyelid lift surgery, may yield better results when performed after major facial surgeries than before. A fully healed, gender-affirmed face provides a more stable base for additional refinements.

5 Facial Rejuvenation Treatments to Do Before Surgery

If you’re considering facial rejuvenation before gender-affirming surgery, the following can help prepare your skin and shape your face:

1. BOTOX® Cosmetic or Dysport®: Softens facial expressions and minimizes wrinkles.
2. Dermal Fillers: Adds volume to lips, cheeks, or jawline to test out new contours before surgical changes.
3. Laser Skin Resurfacing: Improves skin texture and reduces scars.
4. Microneedling: Boosts collagen to restore youthful skin tone, texture, and glow.
5. Chemical Peels: Brighten skin, improve tone, and minimize hyperpigmentation.

3 Facial Rejuvenation Treatments to Do After Gender-Affirming Surgery

After gender-affirming surgeries are finished and fully healed, additional facial rejuvenation treatments can enhance and refine results:

1. Facelift or Neck Lift: Tightens sagging skin and lifts the mid-to-lower face and neck for long-term results.
2. Brow Lift & Eyelid Surgery: Elevate brows and remove excess skin for a more youthful appearance.
3. Jawline & Chin Contouring: Surgical implants or fat grafting to define, soften, or add natural volume to facial features that need more fullness after transition surgeries.

Timing Your Facial Rejuvenation Treatments Around FFS or FMS

Choosing to do facial rejuvenation before or after gender-affirming surgery is a very personal decision. For some, starting with non-surgical treatments early in the transition helps with self-confidence and provides nice aesthetic adjustments. Others may prefer to wait until after their major surgeries are done to ensure long-term results are optimized.

Key Points to Ponder

• Non-surgical treatments (BOTOX® Cosmetic, fillers, laser) can be done before surgery to refine features and prep the skin.
• Major facial rejuvenation surgery (facelifts, brow lifts, jaw contouring) is usually best performed after gender-affirming surgeries for comprehensive results.
• Allow enough time for healing after facial surgery prior to planning other procedures where you need general anesthesia. Manipulation of the face is necessary during surgery (such as when we are applying a face mask to oxygenate you at the beginning and end of the case), and such pressure too soon after surgery could disturb the newly operated structures.
• Hormone therapy can alter your face, so waiting for changes to settle may help determine your best rejuvenation options.

Consulting with an experienced gender-affirming surgeon like Dr. John L. Whitehead is the best way to get a personalized facial rejuvenation plan that fits your goals.

Ready for Facial Rejuvenation in Miami, FL?

Restore Medical Center is the only Miami, Florida, surgical practice solely dedicated to gender affirmation procedures. You can depend on Dr. Whitehead, Dr. Ramirez, and their helpful staff to be your allies and support you throughout your gender-confirming journey. Call (305) 865-2000 to schedule your gender affirmation consultation today!