Patel Paras, Wang Jennifer, Bitterman David, Zafar Kayla, Kabakova Margaret, Lee Steven, Jagdeo Jared
Dermatology Service, Veterans Affairs New York Harbor Healthcare System Brooklyn Campus, Brooklyn, NY, USA.
Rowan University School of Osteopathic Medicine, Stratford, NJ, USA.
Arch Dermatol Res. 2024 Dec 5;317(1):75. doi: 10.1007/s00403-024-03586-w.
Access to over-the-counter (OTC) skincare products is critical for managing a wide range of dermatologic conditions, yet recent trends in urban retail stores may jeopardize this accessibility and exacerbate healthcare disparities. However, the emerging trend of securing skincare products behind security glass in urban retail environments poses significant risks to healthcare equity and accessibility. Herein, we aim to quantify the prevalence of skincare products behind security glass in pharmacies within a 25-mile radius of Times Square, New York City. An observational, cross-sectional study was conducted, selecting 50 pharmacies from a total of 389 identified in the target radius. Digital photographs of skincare product aisles were taken, and the percentage of products secured behind glass was calculated for various categories and brands. The study found significant disparities in the availability of skincare products, with significantly higher percentages of products behind security glass in pharmacies located in urban areas compared to suburban regions. Among the four brands analyzed, Olay, L'Oréal, La Roche-Posay, and Vichy, there was no significant difference in the proportion of products behind security glass. Barriers to accessing skincare products, such as physical restrictions, time constraints, stigma, and privacy issues, may hinder individuals from obtaining necessary treatments, leading to potential delays in care and poorer health outcomes. Our study underscores the urgent need for dermatologists and healthcare policymakers to advocate for alternative security measures that do not compromise product accessibility. Facilitating easier access to OTC skincare products could dramatically improve treatment adherence and patient outcomes, particularly in urban settings where disparities are most pronounced.
获得非处方（OTC）护肤品对于管理多种皮肤病至关重要，但城市零售商店的近期趋势可能会危及这种可及性，并加剧医疗保健差距。然而，在城市零售环境中将护肤品置于安全玻璃后这一新兴趋势对医疗公平性和可及性构成了重大风险。在此，我们旨在量化纽约市时代广场半径25英里范围内药店中置于安全玻璃后的护肤品的流行程度。进行了一项观察性横断面研究，从目标半径内总共识别出的389家药店中选取了50家。拍摄了护肤品过道的数码照片，并计算了各类别和品牌中置于玻璃后的产品百分比。研究发现护肤品的可及性存在显著差异，与郊区药店相比，城市地区药店中置于安全玻璃后的产品百分比显著更高。在分析的四个品牌玉兰油、欧莱雅、理肤泉和薇姿中，置于安全玻璃后的产品比例没有显著差异。获取护肤品的障碍，如物理限制、时间限制、耻辱感和隐私问题，可能会阻碍个人获得必要的治疗，导致护理潜在延迟和健康结果较差。我们的研究强调皮肤科医生和医疗保健政策制定者迫切需要倡导不影响产品可及性的替代安全措施。促进更容易获得非处方护肤品可以显著提高治疗依从性和患者结果，特别是在差距最为明显的城市环境中。
