Everyone dealt with the pandemic a little differently. Some baked. Some drank. Some reached the end of the internet. And some, like Chris Tomassian, a dermatology resident at the University of Kansas Medical Center, became TikTok sensations.
Tomassian saw a sharp decline in patients at KU Med once the pandemic hit. With a wealth of skincare knowledge and time on his hands, he started posting to TikTok to share the answers to common questions he would get in the office. He’s currently up to 959,200 followers on the streaming content app.
Although there were hits and misses, he says, things really took off when he started debunking skincare myths that he frequently saw on the internet. The format is simple—Tomassian casually dances to a hit song while cutting to the chase by pointing out graphics of what works and what doesn’t, from high-end brands to the bottles you can get at Target.
“It just kind of blew up from there, and I’ve tried to spread, via TikTok, some skincare awareness about product awareness, sun protection, and all my little tips and tricks,” says Tomassian.
Tomassian loves dermatology because of his passion for cosmetic procedures—fillers, Botox, and other beauty treatments. He says that he has quite a bit of engagement with men on his TikTok, and now, his emerging Instagram channel. Tomassian believes the simplicity of his approach is appealing to men.
“So many times, you see articles or videos about a ten-step routine for perfect skin,” says Tomassian. “To be honest, you don’t need ten things to get good, healthy skin.”
For male patients, Tomassian tends to prescribe combination products that can accomplish many things in one step. He recommends gentle cleansers like Cetaphil, CeraVe, and Aveeno to keep skin clean but not stripped. A dual moisturizer like CeraVe AM Facial Moisturizing Lotion with SPF 30 takes care of sunscreen, too.
While many women have moved away from chemical sunscreens in favor of physical sunscreens such as zinc, Tomassian says that most men will be more likely to use them because they spread more easily, especially around facial hair. With a quarter-sized dollop of the moisturizer, most men will be well protected.
“Honestly, those are the two products I think every male should use because you get hydration, protection, and cleansing. If you’re going to add anything else, do over-the-counter retinol like Differin gel to tone down hyperpigmentation, fade acne scars, and promote collagen production,” says Tomassian.
Male or female, Dr. Tomassian is busting myths and revealing affordable but effective products, one 30-second dance-along at a time. That’s something we can get behind.
Follow Tomassian on TikTok or Instagram for more down-to-earth tips and product reviews.