Face Shape Changes
Face shape changes will be most pronounced during the first year or two, but can continue for several years to a lesser degree (obviously ageing will also have an effect that can be hard to distinguish from what changes are coming from T).
Will any bone changes revert if I stop taking T?
Bone changes are irreversible but because fat redistribution and muscle growth would revert the bone changes you experienced would be hidden somewhat. The only way to revert the bone changes themselves would be through facial feminisation surgeries, the same as utilised by transfeminine people
Bone Changes
-
For most people your bones will fuse around age 16, so these changes are unlikely to be applicable to most people.
-
(But hopefully we will see it become more common for trans teenagers to access hormones that help them achieve effects that align with their desired presentation!)
-
-
However, a few people have anecdotally reported bone changes up to age 20.
-
If your bones haven’t finished fusing when you begin T, you may experience a change in the shape of your jaw and cheek bones.
-
You may also develop a more pronounced brow ridge (the bit above the eyebrows that sticks out more on some people who have gone through testosterone based puberty before their bones fused.
Fat Redistribution and Increased Muscle Growth
-
But wait - don’t worry if you are past bone fusing age! You will likely still notice significant changes in your face shape!
-
Fat distribution will move fat away from your cheeks, leading to a more chiseled look to your cheekbones and a hollowing out of your cheeks.
-
Your jawline will become more pronounced and angular due to a fat redistribution moving fat away from this area and exposing more of the bone structure. Increased muscle growth will also contribute to a stronger jawline as there will be development of more muscle in your jaw and the areas around it.
-
Your face will typically become less round and more angular, due to a loss of fat all over the face and increased muscle, creating a sharper look to the face.
-
Some people may even experience an increase in fat storage and/or muscle growth above their eyebrows, mimicking an eyebrow ridge.
-
You may notice some changes in the earlier months, but a commonly observed phenomenon is that typically around 6 months you are likely to experience your face becoming rounder and often somewhat bloated looking, and then this goes away in a month or two, after which you typically really start to see your face shape change.
Will the fat redistribution and increased muscle growth revert if I stop taking T?
Yes, your facial fat and muscle will both slowly redistribute back to something similar to how they looked pre-T (obviously if you have been on T for a significant period, age will affect how similar it looks).
