TikTok and Black Skin: Is This a Missed Opportunity for Dermatologists?

July 2023 | Volume 22 | Issue 7 | 698 | Copyright © July 2023


Published online June 30, 2023

Janeth R. Campbell MSa, Heather Woolery-Lloyd MD FAADb, Kiyanna Williams MDc

aGeorgetown University School of Medicine, Washington, DC
bSkin of Color Division, Dr Phillip Frost Department of Dermatology and Cutaneous Surgery, University of Miami, Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL
cSkin of Color Section, Department of Dermatology, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, OH

board-certified dermatologists to provide users with accurate information regarding dermatologic conditions in black skin, especially to reach individuals with limited access and resources to visit a board-certified dermatologist. Additionally, these data reveal which skin concerns in black skin are most popular on TikTok, with dark spots and hyperpigmentation being the leading concern. Overall, our study suggests that there is a need for more dermatology content on black skin from board certified dermatologists. More studies are needed to increase our knowledge of the role of TikTok in patient education for black skin. 

DISCLOSURES

The authors have no relevant financial disclosures.

REFERENCES

  1. Yen-Yuan C, Chia-Ming L, Jyh-Chong L, et al. Health information obtained from the internet and changes in medical decision-making: questionnaire development and cross-sectional survey. J Med Internet Res. 2018;20(2):e47.
  2. Villa-Ruiz C, Kassamali B, Mazori R, et al. Overview of TikTok's most viewed dermatologic content and assessment of its reliability. J Am Acad Dermatol. 2021;85(1):273-274.
  3. Wells TM, Rundle CW, Szeto MD, et al. An analysis of skin of color dermatology related content on Instagram. J Drugs Dermatol. 2020;19(7):746-754. doi:10.36849/JDD.2020.5142.
  4. Pulsipher KJ, Concilla A, Presley CL, et al. An analysis of skin of color content on TikTok. JMIR Dermatol. 2022;5(1):e33340 doi:10.2196/33340

AUTHOR CORRESPONDENCE

Kiyanna Williams MD kiyanna.williams@gmail.com