JMIR Dermatology

Social media platforms, particularly TikTok, have emerged as influential sources of medical information and treatment trends. In early 2024, red light therapy gained substantial attention on TikTok for skincare applications, despite limited scientific understanding of its long-term effects and safety profile with home use.

Scarring has been shown to have adverse health effects on marginalized patient groups. However, experiences of scarring among transgender and gender diverse (TGD) people has not yet been thoroughly characterized.

The integration of artificial intelligence (AI) into patch testing for allergic contact dermatitis (ACD) holds the potential to standardize diagnoses, reduce inter-observer variability, and improve overall diagnostic accuracy. However, the challenges faced by the field and the limitations hindering clinical implementation have not been thoroughly explored.

Pediatric store-and-forward teledermatology (SAFTD) has been in use for well over a decade, but little is known about provider perspectives in a safety-net hospital setting and from pediatric providers.

Skin cancers are the most frequent types of cancer, and the incidence continues to rise. Teledermoscopy is a promising tool in the diagnostic process of potential skin cancer, and new technologies are constantly being developed. However, little information is available on how teledermoscopy affects physicians time consumption.

This study examined the use of skin lightening products among transwomen in Hyderabad, India, revealing that over two-thirds (67.3%) expressed interest in such treatments. Many used a wide range of topical, oral and IV medications, some of which are not intended to lighten the skin. Despite government regulations and the potential health risks, the persistent demand for skin lightening underscores the need for better patient education and safer skincare practices for this marginalized community.

The dermatology match is a highly discussed topic, and creators online often comment about the qualifications needed to match. Social media posts can share differing advice with potential misinformation that can cause excess stress and deter students interested in dermatology. We aimed to assess the quality of online information about the match process, with sources from Reddit, Student Doctor Network (SDN), and TikTok. In March 2024, “How to match into dermatology” and “Advice for the dermatology match process” was searched on these platforms, and 34 sources were assessed for the information source and specific advice for application components such as USMLE scores, research experiences and clinical interests, clerkship grades, and away rotations. Online material was compared with the official National Residency Matching Program (NRMP) 2022 match data using student t-test’s for mean USMLE scores and research experiences. We collected information on media recommendations regarding research years, clerkship grades, medical school rankings, AOA status, broad vs focused dermatology and volunteer interests, away rotations, and dual applications. 10 Tik-Tok videos, 15 Reddit posts, and 10 SDN posts were included in the study. The NRMP and online media data differed significantly among mean Step 1 scores (248 vs 254.5, p<0.001), number of abstracts, posters, and publications (20.9 vs 23.3, p<0.01), and number of total publications (7 vs 13.2, p<0.001). The NRMP and online data did not differ significantly among mean Step 2 scores (257 vs 261.0, p=0.06). Of the 22 total articles that discussed a potential research year, 16 articles recommended taking a research year during medical school (72.7%). Fifteen total articles mentioned grades during medical school, and 10 of these articles explained the importance of attaining AOA status (66.7%), compared to the NRMP data which shared that 39.7% of matched dermatology residents attained AOA status. Six articles commented on students pursuing focused vs broad interests in dermatology, and 3 (50%) articles recommended having broad interests in dermatology, while 3 (50%) discussed having niche interests. Twenty-one articles covered the topic of away rotations, of which 19 (90.5%) recommended doing an away rotation. Eleven articles discussed a number (mean 3.9 away rotations), whereas 8 (38.0%) articles said to complete as many away rotations as possible, in contrast to the official APD letter which recommends completing no more than 2 away rotations. Media found online does not match the AAMC-verified data or current APD statements. Accredited programs should consider releasing a statement regarding match information to dispel common rumors.

Displaced populations face complex dermatologic challenges. Contributing factors include low immunization rates, poor sanitation, crowded living conditions, and physical abuse. Chronic inflammatory conditions and infectious diseases, including fungal infections and scabies, are prevalent. Research is crucial to reduce the spread of disease, improve care in these populations, and develop sustainable frameworks for long-term dermatologic healthcare in crisis settings. The paucity of dermatologist support in this field exacerbates the issue. Ethical considerations include non-maleficence and culturally sensitive practices, and proposed solutions include trauma-informed care training, advocacy for equitable research funding, teledermatology, and the development of shared international screening guidelines. Further research is essential to enhance dermatologic care for displaced populations.

Nonresponse to botulinum toxin (BoNT) type A (BoNT-A) has been reported in medical and aesthetic applications. Secondary nonresponse (SNR) occurs when BoNT-A is initially successful before failure commences at a later point. Most reported cases involve SNR in aesthetics. Several aspects of this complication remain elusive or controversial.

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