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The digital dermatosis – Social media’s unintended impact on pre-adolescent skincare
Abstract
Social media platforms, particularly TikTok, Instagram, and Snapchat, have become pervasive sources of information and influence, extending significantly into the realm of skincare and cosmetic procedures. While offering avenues for beauty exploration, their impact on pre-adolescent populations, characterized by developing skin and impressionable minds, presents increasing dermatological and psychosocial concerns. This review synthesizes recent findings to delineate the mechanisms of social media influence, the burgeoning trends among pre-adolescents, and the associated risks. Data indicates children as young as seven are engaging in complex, costly skincare routines inspired by online content, often incorporating active ingredients inappropriate for their age. These practices lead to a rise in irritant contact dermatitis, allergic reactions, and increased sun sensitivity, while simultaneously perpetuating unrealistic beauty standards. Healthcare providers, particularly dermatologists, face a critical need to understand these digital trends to effectively educate parents and pre-adolescents on appropriate skincare practices and mitigate potential harms.
Author: Ramon Grimalt, Associated Professor, Universitat Internacional de Catalunya (Spain)
Introduction: The Digital Landscape of Skincare
The last decade has witnessed an unprecedented rise in social media penetration, profoundly reshaping how individuals, including children and adolescents, interact with information and perceive beauty standards. Platforms like TikTok, Instagram, and Snapchat, with their visual-centric content and algorithmic curation, have inadvertently become powerful arbiters of trends, including those related to skincare and cosmetic enhancements. Historically, skincare routines were generally simple for younger individuals, focusing on basic hygiene. However, a new phenomenon, often dubbed the “pre-adolescent skincare pandemic,” has emerged, driven by viral content featuring elaborate, multi-step routines. This shift raises alarms among pediatric and dermatological communities, prompting a critical examination of social media’s role in influencing skincare practices among impressionable younger demographics.
The allure and accessibility of social media skincare
Social media’s appeal lies in its constant stream of engaging, visually driven content. For pre-adolescents, this often manifests as “Get Ready With Me” (GRWM) videos or product reviews, demonstrating sophisticated skincare regimens. Studies show that these videos garner millions of views, with content creators as young as 7 years old. The constant exposure normalizes complex routines and the use of numerous products, creating a perception that such regimens are essential for healthy or desirable skin. The accessibility of these platforms means that young users are exposed to trends without the traditional filters of parental guidance or professional advice. Furthermore, the use of “beauty filters” on platforms like Snapchat, which instantly alter facial features and conceal imperfections, can foster unrealistic expectations about skin appearance, driving a desire to achieve these filtered aesthetics in real life. This digital “perfection” can translate into a tangible pursuit of cosmetic procedures, as evidenced by studies showing a willingness among some young individuals to undergo aesthetic procedures, with social media serving as a significant source of influence.
The “pre-adolescent skincare pandemic”: trends and costs
Recent research has shed light on the alarming specifics of pre-adolescent skincare trends. A systematic analysis of TikTok videos featuring skincare routines by content creators aged 7 to 18 revealed several concerning patterns:
Extensive Product Use: Children are using an average of six skincare products per regimen, with some applying over a dozen. These often include serums, toners, and facial mists beyond the basic cleanser, moisturizer, and sunscreen recommended for this age group.
High Financial Cost: These routines are not only elaborate but also costly, averaging around $168 per regimen, with some exceeding $500. This financial burden is often borne by parents who may be unaware of the products’ ingredients or necessity.
Targeted Marketing: Skincare companies actively market to this younger demographic through visually appealing packaging, cartoon logos, and terms like “age-appropriate,” “clean,” and “glow,” further blurring the lines between suitable and unnecessary products.
Dermatological risks and concerns
The most critical concern arising from social media-driven skincare trends in pre-adolescents is the direct harm to their developing skin barrier. Unlike adult skin, younger skin is more delicate and permeable, making it highly susceptible to irritation and adverse reactions from harsh ingredients. Key dermatological risks include:
Irritant Contact Dermatitis: Many products promoted on social media contain active ingredients (e.g., hydroxy acids, salicylic acid, glycolic acid, retinoids, vitamin C) that are entirely superfluous for pre-adolescent skin and can cause significant irritation, redness, and burning sensations. Using multiple active ingredients simultaneously or layering products with the same active ingredient unknowingly exacerbates this risk.
Allergic Contact Dermatitis: Frequent exposure to numerous ingredients at a young age can lead to sensitization, resulting in chronic skin allergies that may persist into adulthood. Common allergens found in promoted products include fragrances and certain inactive ingredients.
Compromised Skin Barrier: The overuse of exfoliants and strong active ingredients disrupts the skin’s natural protective barrier, leading to dryness, increased sensitivity, and potentially worsening existing conditions like acne.
Sun Sensitivity: Alarming research indicates that only about a quarter of daytime skincare routines featured on social media include sunscreen. Moreover, some active ingredients promoted can increase sun sensitivity, raising the risk of sun damage and long-term skin cancer development, especially in a demographic where sun protection is paramount.
Inappropriate Products: The pursuit of anti-aging benefits (e.g., concern over “crow’s feet” at age 14) or attempting to achieve flawless, filtered skin can lead to the use of products with ingredients designed for mature skin, offering no benefit and significant harm to children.
The influence of misinformation and unrealistic expectations
Beyond the physical risks, social media skincare trends contribute to a complex array of psychosocial issues:
Unrealistic Beauty Standards: Videos often emphasize “lighter, brighter skin,” implicitly promoting racialized beauty ideals. The constant exposure to seemingly flawless complexions, enhanced by filters, creates an unattainable standard of beauty.
Body Image Dissatisfaction: The pressure to achieve these idealized appearances can lead to body image dissatisfaction, low self-esteem, anxiety, and even obsessive tendencies in young individuals.
Misinformation and Trust: While dermatologists are often cited as a trusted source of information on social media, a significant portion of content originates from social influencers who lack formal dermatological training. The highly visual presentation of products heavily influences purchasing decisions, leading nearly half of surveyed females in Saudi Arabia to buy products recommended by bloggers, sometimes without full conviction or belief in the advertising.
Consumerism: The trend also fuels consumerism, as children demand expensive, unnecessary products to mimic what they see online, transforming playdates into shopping sprees for skincare.
Clinical implications and recommendations
The pervasive nature of social media’s influence on pre-adolescent skincare necessitates proactive measures from healthcare providers, particularly dermatologists:
Education and Counseling: Dermatologists must be aware of trending skincare fads and their potential side effects. They should proactively educate both parents and pre-adolescents during clinical visits about appropriate, minimalist skincare routines (gentle cleanser, moisturizer, and daily SPF 30+).
Critical Evaluation: Emphasize the importance of critically evaluating social media content and seeking information from reliable, professional sources. Patients should be encouraged to consult a dermatologist before incorporating new products, especially those with active ingredients.
Addressing Psychosocial Aspects: Clinicians should be vigilant for signs of body image issues, anxiety, or obsessive behaviors related to skincare. Discussions should extend beyond product recommendations to address the underlying psychological pressures fueled by social media.
Collaboration: There is a need for dermatological bodies and healthcare professionals to leverage social media platforms themselves to disseminate accurate, evidence-based skincare information tailored for younger audiences, acting as reputable “skinfluencers” to counteract misinformation.
Regulatory Scrutiny: Increased scrutiny and clear regulations are needed for cosmetic and cosmeceutical products marketed to children, particularly concerning ingredient disclosure and safety.
Conclusion
Social media has undeniably revolutionized information dissemination and consumer behavior, but its unchecked influence on pre-adolescent skincare presents a growing public health concern. The proliferation of elaborate, costly, and often harmful skincare routines driven by online trends exposes young, vulnerable skin to unnecessary risks of irritation, allergies, and sun damage. Simultaneously, it contributes to the development of unrealistic beauty ideals and potential psychosocial distress. It is imperative for the medical community, parents, and platform providers to collaborate on strategies that promote healthy skincare habits, critical media literacy, and a balanced understanding of beauty, safeguarding the dermatological and psychological well-being of the next generation.
Bibliography
Alsatti, H., Samarkandy, S.J., Albogami, D.B., et al. (2023). The Impact of Social Media on Seeking Dermatological Care. Cureus, 15(12): e49922. DOI: 10.7759/cureus.49922
Alamer, M.A., Alrashed, H., Abuageelah, B.M., et al. (2023). Impact of Social Media on Choosing Skin Care and Cosmetic Products Among Females in Saudi Arabia. Cureus, 15(12): e49922. DOI: 10.7759/cureus.49922
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Social media’s appeal lies in its constant stream of engaging, visually driven content. For pre-adolescents, this often manifests as “Get Ready With Me” (GRWM) videos or product reviews, demonstrating sophisticated skincare regimens. Studies show that these videos garner millions of views, with content creators as young as 7 years old. The constant exposure normalizes complex routines and the use of numerous products, creating a perception that such regimens are essential for healthy or desirable skin. The accessibility of these platforms means that young users are exposed to trends without the traditional filters of parental guidance or professional advice. Furthermore, the use of “beauty filters” on platforms like Snapchat, which instantly alter facial features and conceal imperfections, can foster unrealistic expectations about skin appearance, driving a desire to achieve these filtered aesthetics in real life. This digital “perfection” can translate into a tangible pursuit of cosmetic procedures, as evidenced by studies showing a willingness among some young individuals to undergo aesthetic procedures, with social media serving as a significant source of influence.
