9 Dermatologists Making Waves On TikTok
Don't want to go straight to a dermatologist? Try following theses accounts first
By Ruth Chew -
TikTok is a treasure cove of content. From dance trends, pet videos, and even medical information, users on the platform know no limits. So you could say that we aren't that surprised that dermatologists are making a name for themselves on the social media app.
The platform’s three-minute-long videos with music and “duets” (a feature that lets users respond to videos with their own videos, and post them side by side) offer a fun way to present medical knowledge, previously associated with dry accounts shared in a sanitised, surgical environment.
While the trend started in the US, Asian doctors have followed suit and shared their medical knowledge through their Tiktok accounts. One such doctor is Dr Lim Ing Kien, who runs his own practice Medii Skin Studio in Malaysia. He says: “As a doctor, my main goal is not only to treat patients, but to educate as well. Tiktok has had a growing user base in the past two years around Asia, and lots of its users are in their teens and early 20s. It only made sense to use Tiktok to reach out to these youth.”
Another dermatologist who has gotten on the platform is Dr Teo Wan Lin of TWL Specialist Skin & Laser Clinic. She launched her mini skincare and haircare Masterclasses on Tiktok in 2021 and featured snippets from her full-length classes.
Simple and uncomplicated is the name of the game. Dr Teo found it a good tool for short video creation and says of her snippets on Tiktok: “Essentially, it’s bite-sized information that’s relevant and engaging.”
Dr Lim adds: “The medical community used to bombard people with tough medical terms and, more often than not, this causes a disassociation between them. So currently, I use simple terms to describe complicated conditions.”
Still, there are pitfalls to taking advice on Tiktok. Both doctors stressed the importance of seeking second opinions and making informed decisions with real medical experts. Dr Lim advises: “If you’re unsure of the ‘advice’ you received, do consult an actual medical expert instead of an ‘expert’ online.”
Dr Teo has the final word on seeking health information online: “You can check your doctor’s board certification. It’s a fun platform for sharing, but honestly though, Tiktok must not be taken too seriously.”
Dr Teo Wan Lin runs her own practice at TWL Specialist Skin & Laser Clinic and has been sharing her knowledge, skincare tips and product reviews on her Instagram account, Tiktok and here with us at Her World.
She also founded DrTWL Dermaceuticals and uses the platform to share skincare ingredient recommendations for different skin types. Her content is science-based and she breaks down what those active ingredients do to help your skin’s condition.
Dr Lindsey Zubritsky suffers no “fools” with her Tiktok content – taking down subpar products in the pharmacy aisles and explaining what trends to throw out for your skin, whatever the condition.
A board-certified dermatologist, she was inspired to pursue dermatology when a family member was diagnosed with melanoma and successfully treated. Dr Lindsey, as she is affectionately called, also collaborates with other dermies such as Dr Jenny Liu (@ derm.talk), another board-certified dermatologist, to make content about mixing active ingredients like retinol with niacinamide, peptides and hyaluronic acid.
A University College of London alum, Dr Vanita Rattan is a specialist in the study of hyperpigmentation in Asian and African skin.
She practices at her own clinic The Hyperpigmentation Clinic, and also developed her own range of skincare products, aimed at helping skins of colour. Her videos are straight to the point, breaking down ingredients by type and how to use them for specific conditions.
She gives a more detailed scientific breakdown on her Youtube channel under Dr Vanita Rattan in longer form videos.
However, you can already glean lots of information from her Tiktok, where she shares tips for acne-prone skin and how to prevent pigmentation, especially for darker skin tones.
The Korean-American doctor from North Carolina has 490K followers on the platform and is a board-certified internal medicine doctor whose expertise in hair and beauty has made her popular.
Her unique appeal? Involving her mother in the videos, sharing Korean beauty tips, and tongue- in-cheek comments about active ingredients.
Her step-by-step tips on how to use what and when are practical and, if anything, looking at her mum, one should feel inspired to take notes!
Dr Joyce Park is a Stanford- and NYU-trained board-certified dermatologist who practises in San Francisco.
She has a blog and also contributes to various US media outlets. Her Tiktok videos explain what to do with cystic acne, and also whether pimple patches are effective.
The verdict: Pimple patches can be effective if they contain 2 per cent salicylic acid.
She was first drawn to the platform for its dance routines, but now uses it to share her simplified morning routine, and tips on skin, body and hair.
The dermatologist, who has two million followers on Tiktok, has a keen interest in acne and protecting skin from skin cancer.
He was one of the doctors who got famous for helping “Gorilla Glue girl” Tessica Brown, who went viral after using Gorilla Glue adhesive as a hairspray replacement.
He shares his knowledge factually and gives his honest take on DIY home remedies, like using lemons on your hair and face, shared by other influencers.
Dr Muneeb Shah started his Tiktok account to share straightforward, reality- bites take on trends and product reviews, as well as to debunk beauty myths. He also shares brand-specific recommendations and what to do when you have ingrown hairs, eczema or other skin conditions.
The dermatology resident uses the channel to uncover truths, plus the dos and don’ts of home remedies.
He also shares his thoughts on aesthetic treatments and even outlandish extractions from other Tiktok accounts. Dr Shah co-hosts his own Youtube channel Doctorly with Dr Luke Maxfield, a fellow dermatology resident physician.
Across the Causeway is Dr Lim Ing Kien, who practises dermatology at Medii Skin Studio in Malaysia. He also runs digital skin clinic Skynfyx, where patients can have an online consultation with him and be prescribed personalised skincare according to the condition assessed.
His bilingual Tiktok content is full of reviews, tips and tricks on what procedures to do to manage things like chickenpox scars.
Dr Lim is also candid about which products work for maskne, and constantly debunks other viral content showing wipes for tattoo removals and ultrasound gel as moisturiser.
He’s right: Both do not work. Please call your dermatologist instead.
Based in Seattle, the Harvard- trained board-certified dermatologist shares his content to 478K followers via Tiktok. He also has a Youtube channel where he shares longer-form videos, explaining conditions like hyperpigmentation and melasma.
Originally from Hawaii, his style is casual but informative, and he tackles complex issues, like prolonged sun exposure while driving, in an easily digestible manner. He even breaks down what happens during radio frequency or microneedling treatments.
This story was first published in the March 2022 issue of Her World.
Text by: Ruth Chew/HerWorld