Management patterns for skin aging among Saudi dermatologists: A questionnaire-based study

BACKGROUND: Skin aging is a complicated process affected by intrinsic, chronological, and extrinsic, environmental, determinants, and it is affected, to a large extent, by exposure to ultraviolet radiation (UVR). The present study aims to assess the antiaging treatment strategies in a real-world setting in Saudi Arabia. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We conducted an online cross-sectional survey that was conducted from May 2020 to October 2020, involving all eligible dermatologists working at different academic, governmental, and private sectors in Saudi Arabia. RESULTS: A total of 200 dermatologists were included in this study, of them, 33% were aged between 24–35 years. 28.5%, 25.5%, 24.5%, and 21.5% of the participants had 7–10, 4–6, >10, and 0–3 years of practice, respectively. Generally, 80 (40%) of the dermatologists reported that 10–20% of their patients consulting for antiaging, while 50 (25%) reported that 41–60% of their patients consulted for antiaging treatment. Cream products were preferred by 105 (52.5%) of the users. In general, 158 (79%) prescribe growth factors Post-procedures, while 29 (14.5), 24 (12%), and 22 (11%) prescribe them for under-eye dark circles, acne scars, and aging skin, respectively. 124 (62%) prefer to use it in combination with retinoids. CONCLUSION: The results of this survey indicate the fact that female patients and the age group 31-40 years old are more likely to seek skincare and antiaging therapy. Most dermatologists prescribed growth factors together with retinoids and only a small proportion of them used growth factors are antiaging modalities.