The influence of social media on acne treatment: A cross-sectional survey

Background/objectives Social media use has been suggested to worsen psychiatric health among adolescents, especially those with visible skin lesions including acne. However, little is known about social media's impact on acne treatment. The purpose of the study sought to characterize the influence of social media use on acne treatment. Methods We conducted a cross-sectional survey of West Virginia University ambulatory patients whose chief complaint was acne was conducted. The survey collected sociodemographics and queried whether individuals accessed social media for acne treatment advice or not, whether changes to acne care were made based on social media, and whether these changes aligned with the American Academy of Dermatology (AAD) clinical guidelines for acne management. Results Of 130 respondents, 45% consulted social media for acne treatment advice (54% of women vs 31% of men). 41% of adolescents and 51% of adults consulted social media. The most used platforms were YouTube and Instagram (58% each). Social media users often tried an OTC treatment (81%) or dietary modification (40%). However, only 31% of participants consulting social media made changes fully aligned with AAD clinical guidelines. Conclusions Social media-influenced acne treatment advice is prevalent, especially among women, adolescents, and young adults. This treatment advice frequently does not align with AAD guidelines, with notably 40% of respondents choosing dietary modification for acne management. These results suggest that dermatologists should inquire about social media acne treatment advice and directly address misinformation.