The impact of social media on Acne Vulgaris treatment

Abstract

Introduction: Acne Vulgaris is a skin disease that, with the advent of social media, has become more susceptible to the spread of unreliable information. Objective: This study aims to characterize the influence of social media on the treatment choice for Acne Vulgaris without medical advice, identify complications of inadequate treatments, and highlight the most influential social media for this purpose and the life quality of these patients. Methods: It is a descriptive cross-sectional study with a quantitative approach whose sample consisted of 306 social media users over 18 years of age. After signing the Informed Consent ("Termo de Consentimento Livre e Esclarecido - TCLE)" the data was collected through a self-administered form along with the questionnaire "Dermatology Life Quality Index - DLQI-BRA" via "Google forms" over 30 days. The data was then tabulated online and analyzed according to descriptive statistics. Results: The results showed a great impact, especially from "Instagram", in the dissemination of content on the subject and highlighted the role of the dermatologist on social networks as the source of information chosen by the public. Conclusions: The public was strict about the quality of the information, but there is still a need for greater insertion of trained professionals and information based on scientific evidence on social media.

Keywords

• acne vulgaris
• online social networking
• self medication
• quality of life
• dermatology