Skin care and cosmeceuticals: Attitudes and trends among trainees and educators

Summary

Introduction

Patients often seek skin care recommendations from their dermatologist. The objective of this study was to determine the degree of education dermatology residents receive on skin care and cosmeceutical products, the source of education, and the attitude of trainees and their educators toward skin care and cosmeceuticals.

Methods

A cross-sectional survey of dermatology residents and faculty via an online survey administered June 2015 and August 2015, respectively.

Results

In total, 104 dermatology residents and 50 dermatology faculty members completed the survey. Among the dermatology residents and faculty, equal distribution was represented across the country. The majority of residents and faculty (62% and 69%, respectively) report discussing skin care with up to 25% of their patients. Among resident participants, 76.5% "agree or strongly agree" that skin care and cosmeceutical education should be part of their education and the majority of residents (74.5%) report their education has been "too little or nonexistent" during residency. In contrast, the majority of the faculty (60%) reports their resident education is "just the right amount or too much" (P < .001).

Conclusions

Skin care and cosmeceutical recommendations are often discussed in dermatology visits. Dermatology residents feel that education on these products should be a part of their residency training.