Delivering an Inclusive Experience for Patients of All Genders in the Aesthetics Practice: A Roundtable Discussion

Transgender, nonbinary, and gender-diverse individuals represent a growing proportion of patients desiring minimally invasive aesthetic treatments to enhance facial appearance. Although awareness of the need for gender-affirming care is increasing and resources are available on approaches to injection in gender-diverse individuals, guidance on how to best provide this care is lacking. The objective of this manuscript is to share recommended practices for aesthetic clinicians who wish to treat transgender, nonbinary, and gender-diverse individuals or wish to improve gender inclusivity within their aesthetic practices. As part of a continuing medical education activity, the authors participated in a roundtable discussion on how individual practices can support inclusive care for transgender, nonbinary, and cisgender patients. The authors agreed that a thorough understanding of vocabulary in support of gender diversity can help to improve clinician confidence and the patient experience. Consideration of clinic design, including the use of gender-neutral bathrooms and the display of gender diversity in advertisements or clinic artwork, can also support a gender-inclusive and welcoming environment. The use of correct pronouns and gender-neutral language by all clinic staff and clinicians, as well as a thoughtful approach to language used on intake forms, may also help to provide an inclusive and safe space for the transgender, nonbinary, and gender-diverse community. Inclusive and gender-affirming healthcare improves the mental health and well-being of transgender, nonbinary, and gender-diverse populations. Individual aesthetic clinicians can improve inclusivity by considering their advertising, clinic design, intake forms as well as their consultation, treatment, and follow-up practices.