An exemplary semiconductor device is described, which includes a semiconductor substrate having an active region and an isolation region. The active region has a first edge which interfaces with the isolation region. A gate structure formed on the semiconductor substrate. A spacer element abuts the gate structure and overlies the first edge. In an embodiment, the isolation region is an STI structure. An epitaxy region may be formed adjacent the spacer. In embodiments, this epitaxy region is facet-free.