A new study analyzing Google search keywords has found that the dermatological needs of patients has significantly shifted.
The study published in the Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology in June divided skin-related search terms into three categories: general dermatology conditions (such as: acne, eczema, seborrheic dermatitis, psoriasis, hair loss, rosacea, dry skin, hives, and atopic dermatitis), premalignant and cancerous conditions (melanoma, squamous cell carcinoma, basal cell carcinoma, and actinic keratosis), and cosmetic procedures (Botox, laser treatment, laser therapy, chemical peel, dermabrasion, lip filler, and fillers). They looked at the number of times those topics were queried into Google over the course of three distinct time periods: pre-pandemic (April 28, 2019, to March 8, 2020), state-wide stay-at-home orders (March 15, 2020, to March 29, 2020), and then the loosened social distancing period (April 5, 2020 to present).
The researchers found that the mean search volume index for general dermatologic conditions went from 82.6 during pre-pandemic, to 71.9 during stay-at-home orders, and then 84.5 during the social distancing period. For premalignant and cancerous conditions, the mean search volume index was 77.6 before the pandemic, 47.9 during lock-down orders, and 50.3 during the present social distance period. For cosmetic procedures, the average search volume index was 71.8 before the pandemic, 45.1 when stay-at-home orders were in effect, and 49.8 percent during the social distance period.
