The influence of TikTok on dermatology, aesthetics and skincare

Social media platforms, networking websites and mobile applications have become integrated into daily life and activities. They have become an integral part of society, with further expansion occurring during the COVID-19 pandemic due to the shift to all virtual platforms for human interactions (De La Garza, 2021; Szeto et al, 2021). In recent years, there has been considerable interest in the use of social media in medicine, especially in the fields of dermatology, aesthetics and skincare. The popularity of virtual communication through social media continues to grow dramatically. Social media has largely impacted dermatology, aesthetics and skincare, and it addresses skin conditions, ageing and normal skin (Villa-Ruiz et al, 2021; Zheng et al, 2021).

The relationship between social media, dermatology, aesthetics and skincare is growing increasingly important. People are more likely to seek a dermatologist or a cosmetic physician who is active on social media. Physicians should be aware of this trend to provide appropriate patient counselling and caution against the dangers of online public medical consultations. It is crucial to improve communication, disseminate evidence-based counsel, combat misinformation and improve patient health outcomes. Several high-profile certified dermatologists have embraced TikTok, and a presence on social media is now seen as a key part of a dermatologist's daily job (Schoenberg et al, 2020; Villa-Ruiz et al, 2021; Zheng et al, 2021).