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Social Media in Dermatology and an Overview of Popular Social Media Platforms

  • Dermatology and its Use in Social Media (R Dellavalle and C Presley, Section Editors)
  • Published:
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Abstract

Purpose of Review

Social media provides an accessible and increasingly popular avenue for sharing healthcare information, networking, and outreach in dermatology. We provide an overview of prominent social media platforms, also known as applications or apps, as well as a discussion of their influence and implications for the field.

Recent Findings

The various collaborative features of Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, TikTok, YouTube, Snapchat, and other emerging platforms have proven appealing to organizations and users seeking dermatology-related content and medical advice. However, the potential for propagation of inaccurate or even dangerous information is high.

Summary

Despite the risks associated with social media usage, dermatology can benefit from opportunities to connect and engage with audiences through these platforms. Dermatologists should be encouraged to increase their presence on multiple social media apps to dispel and counteract misleading posts with evidence-based knowledge.

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Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Dermatology, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO, USA

    Mindy D. Szeto & Andrina Mamo

  2. College of Human Medicine, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI, USA

    Antara Afrin

  3. College of Osteopathic Medicine, Rocky Vista University, Parker, CO, USA

    Michelle Militello

  4. Department of Dermatology, Good Samaritan Regional Medical Center/Silver Falls Dermatology, Salem, OR, USA

    Cara Barber

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  1. Mindy D. Szeto
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Correspondence to Cara Barber.

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This article is part of the Topical Collection on Dermatology and its Use in Social Media

Mindy D. Szeto and Andrina Mamoa are co-first authors.

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Szeto, M.D., Mamo, A., Afrin, A. et al. Social Media in Dermatology and an Overview of Popular Social Media Platforms. Curr Derm Rep 10, 97–104 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1007/s13671-021-00343-4

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