JMIR Publications

ABSTRACT

Purpose Despite attempts to ban the platform, TikTok is an increasingly influential resource for adolescents, serving as a major platform for acne advice and discourse and shaping users’ awareness of acne treatments. We surveyed adolescent patients to assess perspectives on TikTok acne content and examine associations between acne severity and engagement behaviors, including trying products, discussing videos with dermatologists, and posting acne content. Methods A 15-item questionnaire was administered to patients aged ≥ 14 with acne presenting to the pediatric dermatology clinic at an urban, safety-net hospital. Investigator’s Global Assessment scores were assigned by a board-certified dermatologist. Relationships between metrics of acne experience and TikTok engagement behaviors were examined using Fisher’s exact test (R Studio version 4.4.2, α=.05 level of significance). Results Most participants self-identified as Black and/or Hispanic. While no statistically significant associations were observed, patients with longer acne duration (5+ years) were more likely to post about acne, and those on systemic therapies were more likely to view acne videos. Median IGA scores were higher among viewers (2.5; interquartile range 2, 3.8) and posters (3; 1, 3). Spironolactone, oral contraceptives, and topical antibiotics were treatments less represented on TikTok. Conclusions Nearly all adolescents in our cohort who engage with TikTok reported viewing acne-related videos, demonstrating the substantial impact of the application, particularly among those with longer-standing and more severe acne. These trends indicate a tendency towards self-education and information-seeking among pediatric patients, highlighting opportunities for dermatologists to engage patients in discussion, tailor counseling, and address informational gaps.