174 - Social Media Use and Treatment Behaviors in Pediatric Hair Loss: A Cross-Sectional Survey

Publication Number: 1163.174

Adrienne Conza, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, MA, United States; Sarah Lee, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, United States; Itohan Aigbekaen, Boston Children's Hospital, Mableton, GA, United States; Jasmine Chang, Boston Children's Hospital, Brookline, MA, United States; Yasin Damji, Boston Children's Hospital, Boston, MA, United States

Background: Social media use has increased in recent years, offering easy access to health-related information. However, little is known about how pediatric and adolescent patients engage with hair loss-related content online.

Objective: To characterize social media use among pediatric and adolescent patients with hair loss and evaluate how exposure to online hair loss-related content influences their treatment decisions, perceptions, and satisfaction with self-directed care.

Design/Methods: We conducted a cross-sectional survey of caregivers and patients aged 25 and under with physician-diagnosed alopecia (including AA, AGA, chemotherapy-induced alopecia, and TE).

Results: Survey responses were obtained from 115 patients (response rate 58%) with a median age of 14 years (range 2–24). 53% identified as female, 26% male, and 2% non-binary. Social media use was reported in 65% of patients. Among users, 59% had seen hair loss-related content—most commonly on TikTok (61%) and Instagram (51%)—and 28% had tried a treatment they encountered online. Content was most often created by influencers (56%) and dermatologists (35%), though 19% were unsure of the source and one respondent assumed all skin-related content was made by dermatologists. 57% reported using social media at least sometimes to learn about hair loss, and 63% reported learning useful information. Notably, 24% reported that they rarely or never question what they learn on social media. Among those who tried treatments seen on social media (n=12), only 33% were satisfied, while 25% were dissatisfied or very dissatisfied. Reported spending ranged from $0 to over $500, and side effects included itching, dryness, discoloration, and increased hair loss.

Conclusion(s): Social media plays a significant role in shaping how pediatric and adolescent patients with hair loss perceive and manage their condition, often influencing treatment choices and spending. These findings underscore the need for clinicians to discuss online health information with families and guide them toward reliable, evidence-based resources.