Aesthetic Dermatology Grabs More Headlines

WASHINGTON – When it comes to news coverage of dermatology, aesthetic issues get much more attention than oncologic, surgical, or medical topics, according to a recent analysis of the nation’s top newspapers.

"I found it surprising that cosmetic procedures were so strongly emphasized, with Botox by far the most commonly covered dermatology topic," Dr. Kristina Collins, a fellow in dermatologic surgery in the department of dermatology at Harvard Medical School, Boston, and Lahey Clinic, Burlington, Mass., said in an interview. "I think that many dermatologists find that patients or even colleagues in other specialties are not aware of the important medical diseases that the field of dermatology encompasses, and many people are under the false impression that most of a typical dermatologist’s time is dedicated to cosmetics."

In fact, according to Dr. Collins, national practice data shows that the average dermatologist spends only about 10% of his or her time on cosmetic procedures.

To conduct the study, Dr. Collins and her colleagues analyzed the contents of 1,669 dermatology-related articles gathered from the top 10 most widely circulated newspapers over a 10-year period ending on Jan. 1, 2011.

"I found it surprising that cosmetic procedures were so strongly emphasized, with Botox by far the most commonly covered dermatology topic," said Dr. Kristina Collins.

Cosmetic procedures received 32% of the coverage, followed by skin diseases and disorders at 24%, skin cancer/tanning/sun protection at 22%, skin care at 12%, and acne and hair loss at 5% each.

Comparing the percentage of cosmetic vs. noncosmetic articles, the New York Post took the top spot with 72% cosmetic articles. It was followed by the New York Daily News (57%) and USA Today (55%). The Philadelphia Inquirer and the Denver Post had the lowest percentage of cosmetic articles at 37% and 29%, respectively.

Botox topped the chart when the articles were analyzed by topic (105 articles), followed by lasers (64), popularity of procedures (63), and sun protection tips (61). Botox for hyperhidrosis, smallpox/vaccine complications, epidermolysis bullosa, and tanning laws and restrictions took the bottom spots with 15 articles each.

A handful of other studies have also arrived at the same conclusion, with one focusing on the iconic TV sitcom Seinfeld and its reference to dermatologists. "Selecting satire to portray an already misunderstood and unknown subject matter may perpetuate incorrect public beliefs and stereotypes about those with skin diseases and diminish cultural sensitivity towards people who have dermatologic conditions and their caregivers," the authors wrote. (Dermatol. Online J. 2010;16:1).

Dr. Collins said that, with the aging population and the cultural shift in beauty norms, "people are genuinely interested in some of the cosmetic procedures that are available and that interest, in turn, drives the news media." But, "Somehow as a profession, we need to find ways to make important skin health information compelling both to the media and their target audiences.

"All of the aspects of our field have a place in the news, whether we are talking about Botox or basal cell carcinoma. We owe it to our patients to try to get them vital health information any way we are able," she said in an interview.

Dr. Collins had no disclosures.

WASHINGTON – When it comes to news coverage of dermatology, aesthetic issues get much more attention than oncologic, surgical, or medical topics, according to a recent analysis of the nation’s top newspapers.

"I found it surprising that cosmetic procedures were so strongly emphasized, with Botox by far the most commonly covered dermatology topic," Dr. Kristina Collins, a fellow in dermatologic surgery in the department of dermatology at Harvard Medical School, Boston, and Lahey Clinic, Burlington, Mass., said in an interview. "I think that many dermatologists find that patients or even colleagues in other specialties are not aware of the important medical diseases that the field of dermatology encompasses, and many people are under the false impression that most of a typical dermatologist’s time is dedicated to cosmetics."

In fact, according to Dr. Collins, national practice data shows that the average dermatologist spends only about 10% of his or her time on cosmetic procedures.

To conduct the study, Dr. Collins and her colleagues analyzed the contents of 1,669 dermatology-related articles gathered from the top 10 most widely circulated newspapers over a 10-year period ending on Jan. 1, 2011.

"I found it surprising that cosmetic procedures were so strongly emphasized, with Botox by far the most commonly covered dermatology topic," said Dr. Kristina Collins.

Cosmetic procedures received 32% of the coverage, followed by skin diseases and disorders at 24%, skin cancer/tanning/sun protection at 22%, skin care at 12%, and acne and hair loss at 5% each.

Comparing the percentage of cosmetic vs. noncosmetic articles, the New York Post took the top spot with 72% cosmetic articles. It was followed by the New York Daily News (57%) and USA Today (55%). The Philadelphia Inquirer and the Denver Post had the lowest percentage of cosmetic articles at 37% and 29%, respectively.

Botox topped the chart when the articles were analyzed by topic (105 articles), followed by lasers (64), popularity of procedures (63), and sun protection tips (61). Botox for hyperhidrosis, smallpox/vaccine complications, epidermolysis bullosa, and tanning laws and restrictions took the bottom spots with 15 articles each.

A handful of other studies have also arrived at the same conclusion, with one focusing on the iconic TV sitcom Seinfeld and its reference to dermatologists. "Selecting satire to portray an already misunderstood and unknown subject matter may perpetuate incorrect public beliefs and stereotypes about those with skin diseases and diminish cultural sensitivity towards people who have dermatologic conditions and their caregivers," the authors wrote. (Dermatol. Online J. 2010;16:1).

Dr. Collins said that, with the aging population and the cultural shift in beauty norms, "people are genuinely interested in some of the cosmetic procedures that are available and that interest, in turn, drives the news media." But, "Somehow as a profession, we need to find ways to make important skin health information compelling both to the media and their target audiences.

"All of the aspects of our field have a place in the news, whether we are talking about Botox or basal cell carcinoma. We owe it to our patients to try to get them vital health information any way we are able," she said in an interview.

Dr. Collins had no disclosures.

WASHINGTON – When it comes to news coverage of dermatology, aesthetic issues get much more attention than oncologic, surgical, or medical topics, according to a recent analysis of the nation’s top newspapers.

"I found it surprising that cosmetic procedures were so strongly emphasized, with Botox by far the most commonly covered dermatology topic," Dr. Kristina Collins, a fellow in dermatologic surgery in the department of dermatology at Harvard Medical School, Boston, and Lahey Clinic, Burlington, Mass., said in an interview. "I think that many dermatologists find that patients or even colleagues in other specialties are not aware of the important medical diseases that the field of dermatology encompasses, and many people are under the false impression that most of a typical dermatologist’s time is dedicated to cosmetics."

In fact, according to Dr. Collins, national practice data shows that the average dermatologist spends only about 10% of his or her time on cosmetic procedures.

To conduct the study, Dr. Collins and her colleagues analyzed the contents of 1,669 dermatology-related articles gathered from the top 10 most widely circulated newspapers over a 10-year period ending on Jan. 1, 2011.

"I found it surprising that cosmetic procedures were so strongly emphasized, with Botox by far the most commonly covered dermatology topic," said Dr. Kristina Collins.

Cosmetic procedures received 32% of the coverage, followed by skin diseases and disorders at 24%, skin cancer/tanning/sun protection at 22%, skin care at 12%, and acne and hair loss at 5% each.

Comparing the percentage of cosmetic vs. noncosmetic articles, the New York Post took the top spot with 72% cosmetic articles. It was followed by the New York Daily News (57%) and USA Today (55%). The Philadelphia Inquirer and the Denver Post had the lowest percentage of cosmetic articles at 37% and 29%, respectively.

Botox topped the chart when the articles were analyzed by topic (105 articles), followed by lasers (64), popularity of procedures (63), and sun protection tips (61). Botox for hyperhidrosis, smallpox/vaccine complications, epidermolysis bullosa, and tanning laws and restrictions took the bottom spots with 15 articles each.

A handful of other studies have also arrived at the same conclusion, with one focusing on the iconic TV sitcom Seinfeld and its reference to dermatologists. "Selecting satire to portray an already misunderstood and unknown subject matter may perpetuate incorrect public beliefs and stereotypes about those with skin diseases and diminish cultural sensitivity towards people who have dermatologic conditions and their caregivers," the authors wrote. (Dermatol. Online J. 2010;16:1).

Dr. Collins said that, with the aging population and the cultural shift in beauty norms, "people are genuinely interested in some of the cosmetic procedures that are available and that interest, in turn, drives the news media." But, "Somehow as a profession, we need to find ways to make important skin health information compelling both to the media and their target audiences.

"All of the aspects of our field have a place in the news, whether we are talking about Botox or basal cell carcinoma. We owe it to our patients to try to get them vital health information any way we are able," she said in an interview.

Dr. Collins had no disclosures.