For trans women
Challenges
Faces of trans women are often read as male, even with long hair and makeup. This is due to certain facial features that are subconsciously perceived as male.
Striking features on the face
The most important identifying feature is the bony brow ridge, the forehead area directly above the eyes. A broad, square chin and wide jaw angles are also often noticeable. In the middle part of the face, a large nose and a lack of subcutaneous fat in the cheeks are often classified as male.
Female beauty ideals and their influence
There are also beauty ideals that, in keeping with the current zeitgeist, are more associated with the female gender, such as smooth skin, an open look, eyebrows above the eye socket bone and full lips. These characteristics can reinforce the feminine impression.
Established treatments for a feminine appearance
To emphasize such features, injections with hyaluronic acid fillers and botulinum toxin can be used. These medical treatments are established and have so far been used primarily for aesthetic purposes.

FAITH trial
What is being investigated?
In our trial, we will investigate whether masculine facial features can be measurably altered through volumizing injections with hylauronic acid fillers and botulinum toxin, and whether these changes can influence passing gender identification and quality of life. Both aspects have already been confirmed in studies on surgical treatments.
If you participate in the FAITH trial, the following facial areas will be treated, depending on your initial situation:
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Brow bone
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Eyebrows
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Laugh and frown lines
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Temples
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Cheeks
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Nose
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Lips
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Chin
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Jaw line
The FAITH trial was approved by the ethics committee.
The treatment is carried out by a doctor at the University Hospital Basel after a detailed analysis and consultation.
The treatment and the products are free of charge for you.
When you participate, we will collect data on your face-related quality of life.
We will also take photos of your face before and after treatment (3 times over a period of 9 months). We will use these photos to assess your gender assignment with the help of artificial intelligence
Criteria
for participating in the FAITH trial
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Over 18 years, under 65 years
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Confirmed diagnosis of gender dysphoria/gender incongruence (ICD-10 code: F64.0/ICD-11 code HA60)
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No gender reassignment facial surgery to date
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Consent of the treating psychiatrists/psychologists to participate in the study
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No intolerance to the ingredients of the products used
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No untreated epilepsy, porphyria, autoimmune disease
More information on the trial can be found on the homepage: