News You Can Use: AARS Launches Social Media Toolkit for #Acne Awareness Month

Images and assets will help dermatologists, NPs and PAs in their practices, and others to share #acnefacts.

The American Acne and Rosacea Society (AARS) has launched a social media toolkit to help dermatology medical professionals who are their members share #acnefacts in recognition of Acne Awareness Month in June,

The toolkit is available at acneandrosacea.org/acne-awareness-social- media-toolkit.

#Acne is a hugely popular social media tag, with more than 53 billion views on TikTok and nearly 11 million posts on Instagram alone. Estimates suggest that at least 85% of all Americans will experience acne in their lifetimes.

Despite advancements in science-backed medical therapies for acne, social media posters continue to promote unstudied “treatments,” some of which can actually harm the skin, dermatologists warn. 

Acne Awareness Month presents an opportunity for board-certified dermatologists, the nurse practitioners (NPs) and physician assistants (PAs) who work with them, and other medical staff to promote medically-based care for acne. To support those efforts, AARS has developed social media assets and guidance, available for free at acneandrosacea.org. 

“As experts in the diagnosis and management of acne, AARS members want to reach individuals of all ages to educate them about acne and the many advancements in treatment,” says Andrea Zaenglein, MD, FAAD, President of AARS, in a news release. “There is a lot of confusion and misinformation about acne, especially online. This month is a great time to emphasize the facts.” 

While AARS members encourage affected individuals to share their stories and seek support online from others with acne, the Society urges social media users to exercise caution when assessing non-medical advice about #acnetreatment.