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JDD in the News: Dermatology Atlas Launches Online Image Gallery, Alopecia-Related Content on Instagram and TikTok

By January 19, 2023No Comments

Healio and Practical Dermatology announced the launch of an online image gallery developed by The Full Spectrum of Dermatology: A Diverse and Inclusive Color Atlas. The new digital gallery provides more than 800 images of 110 commonly diagnosed dermatologic conditions in an array of skin tones, and compliments the print atlas, which was first released in 2021. The high-quality, medical-grade, royalty-free images are of real patients and are designed for medical education. The atlas was born out of the realization that, despite advances, a gap still exists of high-quality depictions of dermatological conditions across the full spectrum of skin tones. Galderma USA and Cetaphil are supporters of the atlas. The companies provided the grant for the printed atlas for all U.S. dermatology residents and program directors in 2022.

Dermatology Advisor recently wrote about two Journal of Drugs in Dermatology studies. One article focused on a December JDD study about BPO and retinol for acne. The study,“A Topical Combination Regimen of Benzoyl Peroxide and Retinol Moisturizer for Mild to Moderate Acne,” by colleagues at Johnson & Johnson Consumer Inc. Researchers assessed the efficacy and tolerability of a daily regimen comprised of topical low-dose (2.5%) BPO applied in the morning and topical retinol applied in the evening in 33 subjects with mild to moderate acne. Researchers found a significant reduction in global total acne count from baseline to week 12, in addition to significant improvements in acne severity and reductions in inflammatory and non-inflammatory lesions. Treatment was well-tolerated. The study authors wrote that the results “support the notion that this combination of BPO and stabilized retinol offers a high degree of treatment efficacy with a concomitant high degree of tolerability.”

Dermatology Advisor also wrote about a December JDD study on alopecia-related content on social media. The study, “An Analysis of Alopecia Related Content on Instagram and TikTok,” by Melissa R. Laughter, MD, PhD, and colleagues, sought to determine the characteristics of popular hair loss related content on these two social media platforms. Of 90 posts analyzed within Instagram, medical professionals created only 4% of the posts while non-medical professional influencers created 66% of the posts, and hair and wig companies created 29% of the posts. Of 100 posts analyzed within TikTok, medical professionals created only 10% of the posts while influencers created 38% of the posts, patients created 38% of the posts, and hair and wig companies created 14% of the posts. None of the top posts was created by board-certified dermatologists. The study authors also found that a majority of the content was not substantiated by evidence-based medicine. The authors conclude that “social media represents a great opportunity for dermatologists to counteract these negative effects and use these platforms to promote quality, evidence-based information to better guide patients.”