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Pharmacologic Induction of Epidermal Melanin and Protection Against Sunburn in a Humanized Mouse Model
Published on: September 7, 2013
Public Interest in Sun Protection and Misinformation: A Google Trends and TikTok Analysis
Rajyk Bhala1, Sriram Ambadi1, Reid Oldenburg1
1Department of Dermatology, School of Medicine, University of California San Diego, 8899 University Center Lane, Suite 350, San Diego, CA, 92122, United States, 1 8328077286.
JMIR Dermatology
|July 23, 2026
Summary
Public interest in anti-sun protection information is rising, but non-physician content on platforms like TikTok offers lower quality. This trend shows a gap between public curiosity and accurate health information, emphasizing the need for reliable sources.
Area of Science:
- Public Health
- Digital Media Analysis
- Dermatology
Background:
- Growing public interest in sun protection alternatives.
- Prevalence of online health information from non-medical professionals.
- Concerns regarding the accuracy and quality of health content on social media platforms.
Purpose of the Study:
- To analyze public interest trends in anti-sun protection topics using Google Trends.
- To compare the quality and engagement of physician-created versus non-physician-created content on TikTok regarding sun protection.
- To identify the discrepancy between public interest and information accuracy in online health discourse.
Main Methods:
- Analysis of Google Trends data for anti-sun protection search terms.
- Content analysis of TikTok videos related to sun protection, categorizing creators as physicians or non-physicians.
- Evaluation of content quality and viewer experience based on predefined metrics.
Main Results:
- Significant increase in public interest in anti-sun protection topics observed in recent years.
- Non-physician-created content on TikTok showed comparable engagement to physician-created content.
- Physician-created content was associated with higher quality and a better viewer experience compared to non-physician content.
Conclusions:
- A notable rise in public curiosity regarding anti-sun protection necessitates attention.
- The digital landscape presents challenges in ensuring the accuracy of health information, particularly concerning sun protection.
- There is a critical need to bridge the gap between public interest and reliable, high-quality health information, especially from verified medical professionals.
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