SKIN July 2023 Volume 7 Issue 4 (c) 2023 THE AUTHORS. Published by the National Society for Cutaneous Medicine. 960 COMPELLING COMMENTS History in The Making: The Transformative Impact of TikTokTM on Dermatology Kennedy Sparling, BS1 1 University of Arizona, College of Medicine - Pheonix, Phoenix, AZ Have you heard the terms ‘jello skin’, ‘retinol sandwiching’, or ‘skin cycling’? If not, you probably haven’t ventured much into the skincare side of the popular social media platform, TikTokTM. TikTokTM, launched in 2016, has transformed the way in which people consume and share information1. Through its short-form videos, TikTokTM goes beyond entertainment and has served as a hub for sharing information, including in the field of education and healthcare. This platform has provided dermatology professionals with a unique space to share their expertise to the public. Dermatologists, such as Dr. Muneeb Shah (@dermdoctor) and Dr. Zion Ko Lamm (@dr.zionko), have taken this opportunity to share their expert opinions, debunk myths, and address common skincare concerns. In fact, in an analysis of dermatology on TikTokTM completed in 2021, 39% of the 544 videos analyzed were created by healthcare providers2. As technology continues to serve as a source for patients to obtain information, it is crucial for healthcare professionals to embrace this platform and be aware of the trends so they can actively participate in shaping the future of dermatology. It’s important to note that with the vast amount of information and videos on TikTokTM, there exists a potential for misinformation. For example, a trend termed ‘reverse skincare’ emerged in 2022 and was made popular by influencer, Ava Lee (@glowwithava). This trend advocated for the reversal in order of skin care product application, starting with occlusives3. Since its emergence, many dermatologists have debunked this trend as ineffective and potentially harmful depending on the individual3. By learning from the past, healthcare professionals have the opportunity to use TikTokTM to correct misinformation and promote evidence-based practices to the public. In addition to providing a space for dermatologists, TikTokTM has played an important role in increasing public awareness of dermatologic conditions. In the same study mentioned prior, videos with the hashtag of the top five dermatologic diagnoses gained a total of 2.5 billion views2. With patients generating 45% of the study’s videos, it’s clear that these firsthand accounts are also very prevalent on the platform2. Many users have openly discussed their experiences and often arduous journeys with various skin INTRODUCTION DISCUSSION SKIN July 2023 Volume 7 Issue 4 (c) 2023 THE AUTHORS. Published by the National Society for Cutaneous Medicine. 961 conditions. These individuals not only have served to raise awareness of their condition, but some, such as Alex Griswold (@alexgriswold), have also been alerted of possible life-threatening skin conditions, encouraging them to seek professional advice. Through fostering a sense of community, this social media platform has offered solace to those facing dermatologic conditions, reminding them they are not alone and to seek professional help when they need it. While a short-lived history thus far, TikTokTM has already transformed the healthcare industry, especially in the field of dermatology. It’s essential for healthcare providers to remain attuned to this emerging platform so they can learn from the past and further enhance their patient care going forward. Conflict of Interest Disclosures: None Funding: None Corresponding Author: Kennedy Sparling, BS University of Arizona, College of Medicine - Phoenix 475 N 5th St, Phoenix, AZ 85004 Phone: 702-860-9684 Email: ksparling@arizona.edu References: 1. Tidy, J. & Smith Galer, S. (2020, August 5). Tiktok: The story of a social media giant. BBC News. https://www.bbc.com/news/technology- 53640724 2: Nguyen, M., Youssef, R., Kwon, A., Chen, R., & Park, J. H. (2021). Dermatology on TikTok: Analysis of content and creators. International journal of women's dermatology, 7(4), 488–489. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijwd.2021.04.006 3: Sobotka, M. (2023, April 18). The risks of TikTok’s reverse skin care trend. Skin Inc. https://www.skininc.com/business/trends/new s/22605108/dr-dennis-gross-skincare-the- risks-of-tiktoks-reverse-skin-care-trend CONCLUSION