Sculpting the Self: Dermal Fillers for Transgender People
As dermal fillers grow in popularity, technicians and clients alike are finding more and more uses for the technology — and one such new use is as a form of care for the trans community. As they're such a safe and ultimately temporary cosmetic procedure, fillers are a great way for trans clients to achieve greater comfort and happiness in their personal appearance. Here are just a couple of effects that can be achieved with dermal fillers.
Jawline
Particularly for clients wishing to masculinise their appearance, fillers are an ideal solution. Technicians can use dermal fillers to build up the jawline and create a firmer, squarer shape more commonly associated with masculine faces. Because fillers are so customisable to each individual client, it's easy for a skilled technician to create a natural look that will not draw the eye unnecessarily — unless a more intense aesthetic is what the client is going for, of course.
Cheekbones
Whether clients wish to soften sharp cheekbones or create a more defined, angular face shape, dermal fillers are up to the task. As before, a deft hand can use exactly the right amount of filler to create a natural look, giving the client the gender euphoria of their preferred face shape without looking synthetic or extreme.
Nose and Mouth
Individual facial features can also be altered with fillers. Of course, lip enhancements are the most famous and familiar use for dermal fillers. However, beyond that, they can also be used to smooth out deep lines around the mouth or to adjust the shape of the nose. In both cases, the filler acts as a semi-permanent contour effect and can make it easier for a client to recognise themselves in the mirror.
As with any cosmetic procedure, it's important to ensure that clients are undergoing procedures that make them feel happy and confident. This is not about 'passing' or conforming to beauty or gender stereotypes. Instead, this is about personal comfort for clients. Indeed, fillers may allow transgender clients to see what more permanent solutions, such as facial feminisation surgery, may do for them without committing to the cost or the complications. In that respect, fillers are freeing; they provide a means for people to sculpt the look they've dreamed of. For transgender people, this may be more affirming than most — and recognising this will open up a whole new market of clients for practitioners who are willing to learn and be respectful.