Quality Assessment of Blepharoplasty Information on TikTok: An Observational Qualitative Study

Quality of Blepharoplasty Content on TikTok

Authors

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.46570/utjms-2026-1902

Keywords:

Blepharoplasty, TikTok, Misinformation

Abstract

Introduction: Following a decline in overall surgical volume in 2020 due to the pandemic, there was a +81.7% increase in traditional blepharoplasties in the year 2021. 68% of a study's respondents reported increased awareness of facial plastic surgery (FPS) procedures through social media, which was significantly correlated with the decision to pursue FPS (P = 0.02). TikTok (ByteDance) is a social media platform commonly used by healthcare professionals and patients to share individual experiences and medical advice, and this study evaluates the quality and reliability of TikTok videos discussing blepharoplasties. 

Methods: This observational qualitative study analyzed the quality and reliability of TikTok videos discussing blepharoplasties. Videos were selected using six hashtags related to blepharoplasty: #blepharoplasty, #upperblepharoplasty, #lowerblepharoplasty, #eyelidsurgey, and videos tagged with the combination of #blepharoplasty and #surgeryrecovery. The top 20 videos with a minimum of 1,000 views were collected for each hashtag and reviewed by four independent reviewers using the DISCERN tool to assess video quality and reliability. Statistical analyses were performed in Excel using the Data Analysis ToolPak. 

Results: Of the 100 TikTok videos that were screened, 99 met inclusion criteria. Healthcare professionals (HCP) created the majority of videos reviewed (n = 51, 51.5%). Plastic surgeons created the most content of all HCPs (n = 31, 60.8%), followed by unspecified physicians (n = 10, 19.6%) and ophthalmologists (n = 6, 11.8%). Videos created by HCPs had significantly higher reliability (T = 5.37, P < 0.001), quality (T = 5.11, P < 0.001), and overall DISCERN scores (T = 8.40, P < 0.001) compared to non-healthcare professionals. 

Conclusions: TikTok videos about blepharoplasties have significantly greater reliability, quality, and overall DISCERN scores when they are created by HCPs as compared to non-healthcare professionals. This study underscores the need for active engagement by healthcare professionals on social media to combat misinformation.

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Cover of Translation: The University of Toledo Journal of Medical Sciences, Volume 16, Issue 2 (2026). The cover features a layered green collage design with the journal title "Translation" in large tan lettering across the top and the full journal name set within a darker green panel. The central artwork shows three overlapping human silhouettes in cream, tan, and brown tones layered with circular medical imaging insets - an ultrasound image and a chest radiograph. A gold DNA double helix runs vertically along the right edge, and a honeycomb hexagonal pattern textures the background, with the volume and issue designation ("Vol. 16, No. 2 (2026)") displayed in a rounded tan banner in the lower right corner.

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Published

2026-10-28

How to Cite

1.
Hamlin M, DeVries B, Gunturu P, Suresh P, Kenner N, Crabb A, Shahrooz T. Quality Assessment of Blepharoplasty Information on TikTok: An Observational Qualitative Study: Quality of Blepharoplasty Content on TikTok. Translation [Internet]. 2026 Oct. 28 [cited 2026 Oct. 30];16(2). Available from: https://openjournals.utoledo.edu/index.php/translation/article/view/1902

Issue

Vol. 16 No. 2 (2026): Volume 16, (2026)

Section

Research Articles

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Copyright (c) 2026 Mary Grace Hamlin, Bo DeVries, Pranav Gunturu, Pavan Suresh, Nicholas Kenner, Ariane Crabb, Tiffany Shahrooz (Author)

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