TikTok Skincare Trends and Their Clinical Evidence

Document Type

Conference Proceeding

Publication Date

9-2024

Publication Title

Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology

Abstract

TikTok is a burgeoning social media platform popular amongst adolescents and young adults with an array of bite-sized videos. Many educational videos on skincare and treatment options are shared by healthcare professionals, with 13% being board-certified dermatologists.1 Only 2.5% of the most viewed and liked videos on skincare are created by board-certified dermatologists.1 The majority of videos are posted by non-experts sharing personal anecdotes. This raises concern as around 40% of people use social media for information on dermatologic conditions.2 Thus, the misinformation shared by non-medical professionals on TikTok can be potentially harmful. Recent skincare trends on TikTok include slugging, skin cycling, glycolic acid as deodorant, oral collagen supplementations, gua sha, and face tape. Many of these skincare trends focus on achieving hydrated skin that appears ageless. Glycolic acid as deodorant aims at treating hyperpigmentation and minimizing odor. While trends such as skin cycling and slugging can be beneficial, they are not ideal for every skin type and individual. In addition, other topics such as collagen supplements and gua sha are not supported by evidence and potentially harmful to the skin, respectively. We will be further reviewing these skincare trends and their clinical evidence and effectiveness. Given the significant impact of social media on health decisions, it is vital for dermatologists to stay informed about TikTok trends. Dermatologists can play a crucial role in dispelling misinformation, offering evidence-based care, and educating patients. This allows individuals to make better-informed decisions about their health in this digital age.

Volume

91

Issue

3 Suppl

First Page

AB339

Comments

American Academy of Dermatology Annual Meeting, March 8-12, 2024, San Diego, CA

DOI

10.1016/j.jaad.2024.07.1348

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