{"status":"ok","message-type":"work","message-version":"1.0.0","message":{"indexed":{"date-parts":[[2026,9,10]],"date-time":"2026-09-10T15:47:52Z","timestamp":1789055272239,"version":"build-2803163510"},"reference-count":31,"publisher":"JMIR Publications Inc.","content-domain":{"domain":[],"crossmark-restriction":false},"short-container-title":["JMIR Dermatol"],"abstract":"Abstract<\/jats:title>\n \n Background<\/jats:title>\n Scarring has been shown to have adverse health effects on marginalized patient groups. However, experiences of scarring among transgender and gender diverse (TGD) people have not yet been thoroughly characterized.\u202f<\/jats:p>\n <\/jats:sec>\n \n Objective<\/jats:title>\n This study aimed to investigate the impacts of scarring related to gender-affirming care and other causes among TGD people.<\/jats:p>\n <\/jats:sec>\n \n Methods<\/jats:title>\n \n Anonymous data were extracted from Reddit, a popular online platform organized into \u201csubreddit\u201d groups based on identities and interests. A combined total of 604 posts and comments that explicitly reference physical scarring were extracted from r\/FtM, a subreddit for transmasculine people (449 posts and comments) and r\/MtF, a subreddit for transfeminine people (155 posts and comments). Applying inductive thematic analysis, all posts and comments were coded and codes were sorted into overarching themes.\n \u202f<\/jats:bold>\n <\/jats:p>\n <\/jats:sec>\n \n Results<\/jats:title>\n Among the 604 posts and comments, the scars most discussed were secondary to gender-affirming care procedures, including mastectomy (n=338 posts and comments), hormone administration (n=102 posts and comments), and hair removal (n=38 posts and comments). Nongender-affirming care-related scars, such as those due to self-harm (n=43 posts and comments), were discussed less often. A total of five overarching themes emerged through thematic analysis: (1) concerns about physical outcomes related to scarring; (2) psychological distress related to scarring; (3) societal perceptions of scarring; (4) strategies to prevent, conceal, and minimize scarring; and (5) positive experiences with scarring.<\/jats:p>\n <\/jats:sec>\n \n Conclusions<\/jats:title>\n For TGD people, scar complications, visibility, and permanence represent major concerns. While many TGD people ultimately accept scarring as an unavoidable consequence, scarring both related and unrelated to gender-affirming care can present a significant psychosocial stressor for TGD people. Scarring can result in physical health complications, gender dysphoria, and negative body image; visible scarring is also a barrier for TGD people who wish to blend into society. Clinicians should improve communication regarding scarring outcomes and scar-care procedures. Future research should focus on the development of scar prevention, care, and reduction techniques for TGD people.<\/jats:p>\n <\/jats:sec>","DOI":"10.2196\/62714","type":"journal-article","created":{"date-parts":[[2025,6,6]],"date-time":"2025-06-06T12:31:49Z","timestamp":1749213109000},"page":"e62714-e62714","source":"Crossref","is-referenced-by-count":2,"title":["Investigating Experiences With Scarring Among Transgender and Gender Diverse People: Mixed Methods Study"],"prefix":"10.2196","volume":"8","author":[{"ORCID":"https:\/\/orcid.org\/0009-0008-2023-8215","authenticated-orcid":false,"given":"Nora Yanyi","family":"Sun","sequence":"first","affiliation":[],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"ORCID":"https:\/\/orcid.org\/0000-0002-0907-1310","authenticated-orcid":false,"given":"Kanika","family":"Kamal","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"ORCID":"https:\/\/orcid.org\/0000-0002-6624-8354","authenticated-orcid":false,"given":"Alex Sogomon","family":"Keuroghlian","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]}],"member":"1010","published-online":{"date-parts":[[2025,6,6]]},"reference":[{"issue":"4","key":"R1","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1097\/GOX.0000000000001738","article-title":"Trends in gender-affirming surgery in insured patients in the United States","volume":"6","author":"Lane","journal-title":"Plast Reconstr Surg Glob Open"},{"issue":"1","key":"R2","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"68","DOI":"10.1097\/CU9.0000000000000002","article-title":"Transgender surgery - 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