Blending Clinical Practice and Social Media with Chris Tomassian, MD

In a recent interview with Dermatology Times, Chris Tomassian, MD, a board-certified dermatologist and founder of The Dermatology Collective, discussed his journey in medicine and his experience balancing clinical practice with social media. Growing up in a medical family and gaining exposure to both private and academic settings, he felt that neither fully aligned with his vision of holistic care. This led him to establish The Dermatology Collective, which aims to provide “a state-of-the-art dermatology facility that provides concierge-level care to everybody” while addressing cosmetic, surgical, and medical dermatology needs.

Tomassian's presence on social media has played a significant role in his career. He began creating content during his residency, initially as a way to help people access reliable skin care advice when in-person visits were limited due to the COVID-19 pandemic. As he explains, “I started social media during like the pandemic COVID, and no one was really seeing their doctor.” His early content focused on over-the-counter skincare solutions, which resonated with viewers and gained traction. Over time, audience engagement shaped his content direction, with followers frequently submitting skincare questions that provided insight into consumer needs.

Although his use of social media was initially met with skepticism, particularly within academic dermatology, he remained confident in his approach. He acknowledges, “I think initially, there was a lot of pushback from the academic side of dermatology, where it’s like we should not be making like ‘a fool of ourselves’ on social media.” However, he believes the medical field is evolving, with social media becoming an essential educational tool. Many people now turn to social media rather than Google for health-related information, making it crucial for certified professionals to be present in that space.

Tomassian’s father, an “old-school” doctor, was initially doubtful of his social media presence but later became supportive, even recommending Tomassian’s videos to his own patients. Reflecting on this shift, he shares a lighthearted anecdote: “Now he goes up to his patients and he goes, ‘You should watch my son on social media. He’ll teach you about this.’”

Ultimately, Tomassian encourages medical professionals to embrace social media in an authentic way. He warns against chasing trends solely for views, emphasizing that clinicians must maintain credibility and integrity. He believes social media can be a powerful tool for education and outreach when used responsibly, concluding, “At the end of the day, just try to do as much good [as possible] on social media, and have fun with it.”