Dermatologic Care and Permanent Hair Removal in Preparation for Genital Gender Affirming Surgery

Pre-surgical dermatologic preparation is essential for successful genital gender-affirming surgery. After a patient decides on the type of gender-affirming surgery they wish to pursue, then, in conjunction with the surgeon and the dermatology care provider, the patient must plan for epilation of the surgical site. Incomplete hair removal can cause serious side effects and complications to vaginoplasty or phalloplasty procedures. Laser hair removal and electrolysis are the most effective techniques for long-term hair removal. The risks, benefits, and limitations of each type of epilation, laser hair removal or electrolysis must be taken into account prior to treatment. Skin color, hair color, density, presence of tattoos or other skin conditions, among others, may dictate which type of epilation would be most appropriate for an individual patient. Dermatologic diseases of the affected surgical sites must also be treated and maintained in order to prevent complications post-surgery. Pre-surgical dermatological care of the donor and graft site is of the utmost importance in assuring successful post-operative genital gender-affirming surgery.