Mind Body Skin Care is committed to increasing wellness through skincare and service, and particularly within the LGBTQIA+ community of St. Louis. As a queer-owned business, it is our priority to make everyone in our community feel good in their skin. We are especially committed to helping our trans community through their respective journey on hormone therapy and the skincare changes it can cause, i.e., 2nd puberty.
Aside from skincare, Mind Body Skin Care also offers professional makeup application, as well as makeup application lessons that include shopping assistance. Let us help you find your gender euphoria and express yourself as you’ve always wanted.
Trans Skincare
When undergoing gender-affirming hormone therapy, you may face a variety of changes in your skin. While these changes can cause body image issues that affect your health and well-being, a majority of transgender people do not seek treatment for skin issues due to a lack of access and a fear of discrimination. While it is my goal to make Mind Body Skin Care a welcoming place for everyone, it is especially important to me to be a safe space for the LGBT community and to be of service to the trans community. Read on to see the skin challenges you might face when undergoing gender-affirming hormone therapy and what Mind Body Skin Care services and products can help you work with the changes in your skin.
Beginning Estrogen
Introducing estrogen decreases oil production on the face and body, making your skin feel drier. Facial and body hair will usually thin somewhat and your skin becomes a little thicker. There is also an increase in melanocyte production which causes dark spots, especially on the upper lip.
It is important to change your products so that you are getting enough moisture for your new, likely drier skin type. Regular facials can help you keep up with the changes in oil production which necessitates changes in products.
Dark spots (called melasma when hormonal) can be treated with regular facials, chemical peels (coming soon!), and daily use of the Lightening Serum on the affected area.
Beginning Testosterone
Introducing testosterone increases oil production. In one study, this led to facial acne in 94% of trans men and back acne in 88%. Your facial acne can be treated with daily at-home use of the Acne Serum, the Clarifying Toner, and the MBSC product line for Oily skin. Monthly facials are also recommended. Back acne can be treated with monthly back facials.
Howa Yeung, MD; Benjamin Kahn, BA; Bao Chau Ly, BS; and Vin Tangpricha, MD PhD. (2019). Dermatologic conditions in transgender populations. Endocrinol Metab Clin North Am. 2019 Jun; 48(2): 429–440.
Neilsen, M. (2020). Fearless Beauties: Second Edition. Spectrum Laser Training, 2020.
