“Should I be taking oral tranexamic acid to treat melasma?” “Is dermaplaning advisable while on a topical retinoid?” “How does an upper eyelid lift look like?” “Why do diseases end in ‘-its’?” These are some of the more specific (and random) questions one would ask in a dermatologist’s office rather than on Google. But in a global pandemic, both patients and doctors were isolated in their homes, with little to no contact with each other to ask or answer any of these issues.
What did some of these medical professionals do? They went online, hard, swiftly adapting and taking over Tiktok, YouTube and Instagram with Q&A-style videos that—while incomparable to an in-clinic visit—managed to address some of these questions with bullet-point diagnosis, topical treatment suggestions and seconds of valuable advice that one wouldn’t ordinarily have access to anywhere but seated in a doctor’s chair. These concise clips eventually led to a category of new, highly educational social media stars: The medical influencers. Trustworthy, board-certified dermatologists, plastic surgeons and wellness doctors with years of experience and countless case studies to boot.
Not meant to replace any actual medical advice from a doctor or your face-to-face appointments, these “edutainment” accounts certainly do make your screen time that much more justifiable. We’ve rounded up some of our favourites to hit that follow button stat.
Shereene Idriss (@shereeneidriss)
Who is she? This Washington DC-based Lebanese doctor, lecturer and fellow of the American Academy of Dermatology specialises in facial aesthetics and rejuvenation at Union Square Laser Dermatology. She’s also managed to earn a reputation as both the chillest and the most no-holds-barred medical influencer on the ‘gram combined—with her growing followers reveling in her educational but unfiltered realness.
Follow her for: Her weekly #PillowTalkDerm series on Instagram Live or Stories, where she literally answers questions and gives advice in her pyjamas in bed. She started all of this because she spent most of her time educating patients, and found herself either constantly repeating herself or having to deal with all the misinformation there was around skincare and cosmetic procedures—so she decided to make it a conversation everyone had access to. Sometimes she brings in a collaborator for a “One Night Stand”, with the likes of model Ashley Graham, Michelle Wong aka @labmuffinbeautyscience, and beauty entrepreneur Kristen Noel Crawley joining her heated and hilarious conversations.
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Raise your hand if this has happened to you before🙋🏻♀️ How do you usually respond? #foreveryoung
Joyce Park (@teawithmd)
Who is she? This Californian blends her love for content creation (honed through the Stanford Global Health Media Fellowship) and her experience as a practicing board-certified dermatologist to produce both informative long reads on her blog and bite-sized but highly educational videos on Tiktok. A new mom, Park is also the bareMinerals Global Dermatology Ambassador.
Follow her for: Useful, quick tips when it comes to dealing with skin conditions like psoriasis, rosacea, allergic rashes and hair loss, complete with over-the-counter and in-clinic treatment suggestions. She also dishes out skincare suggestions and daily how-tos on everything from dealing with maskne, treating dry hands and even how to reduce stress while social distancing—all backdropped by her adorable dancing.
Lara Devgan (@laradevganmd)
Who is she? Ranked the “#1 female cosmetic surgeon in New York” by RateMDs, doctor Lara Devgan is a leading board-certified New York City plastic and reconstructive surgeon, and the founder and CEO of luxury medical-grade skincare line, Dr. Devgan Scientific Beauty. She also holds several positions on medical boards and institutions across the country, and is the host of acclaimed podcast, Beauty Bosses. Plus, she’s a mother of six.
Follow her for: An all access pass into one of New York’s top doctor’s offices, with no-holds-barred videos of suture suspension face lifting and facial contouring surgery, and dozens of before-and-after photos with full details of the patient’s area of concern, procedure he or she underwent, and benefits and results from the invasive or non-invasive treatment applied.
Muneeb Shah (@doctorly)
Who is he? Shah is a Dermatology Resident Physician at Campbell University, with specific penchants for complex medical, cosmetic and procedural dermatology, as well as Mohs surgery. The now viral Tiktok dermatologist is being called a skin guru by Gen Zs, with his popularity credited to his videos on skincare product recommendations, skin conditions and beauty myths.
Follow him for: A host of videos that help to identify both common and uncommon skin conditions where he talks over a visual presentation of case examples in seconds, as well as debunk skincare myths and potentially dangerous Tiktok beauty trends with his medically backed opinions and advice. He also prescribes tips for an easy but efficient skincare regime, perfect for beginners or the less-is-more types.
Anthony Youn (@tonyyounmd)
Who is he? This award-winning author and board certified plastic surgeon for 20 years believes “beauty lies in a holistic approach to youth”, where “surgery should be a last resort” to looking and feeling better. His bestselling book, “The Age Fix: A Leading Plastic Surgeon Reveals How To Really Look Ten Years Younger”, is a comprehensive and holistic guide to getting that boost of youth without going under the knife, while he also makes regular appearances on TV shows and in magazines across the US to talk about his methods.
Follow him for: His equally alternative approach to Instagram and TikTok content, with videos of him doing everything from microwaving breast implants to see what happens, and dishing ou truth bombs about celebrities’ plastic surgery, to beauty reaction videos and some seriously graphic videos of actual surgeries being performed.
Zion K. Lamm (@dr.zionko)
Who is she? A board-certified medical doctor and Internal Medicine Specialist, and your soon-to-be beauty-obsessed BFF who will remind you to put on your sunscreen daily. A video on the top three skincare products to invest your money in was her first foray into Tiktok and Instagram—filmed in April this year as the world went into lockdown—and she has since grown to over 300k Tiktok followers.
Follow her for: Product reviews; reaction videos that either debunk or correct skincare trends; treatment advice for things like dark eye circles, milia and hyperpigmentation; and her Korean mom, who is living proof that sunscreen, facial massages and a good skincare routine work.
Jordan Estrada (@nopainmoregains)
Who is he? He’s the singing, songwriting chiropractor that went viral on TikTok for changing the lyrics’ to Megan Thee Stallion’s Savage to “show you how to stretch it”. Helping anyone relieve common tensions (like lower back, and neck pain) or correct conditions like rounded shoulders (from bad posture working from home) with step-by-step stretching instructions, his videos are helpful, easy to follow and most of all, fun.
Follow him for: All sorts of do-it-yourself stretching exercises to alleviate pain and address minor conditions, including hip and shoulder pain, sciatica and plantar fasciitis, a common cause of heel pain, which he relieves by advising you to roll your foot on a frozen water bottle for two minutes and pulling each toe back for 30 seconds each. His latest video provides pregnancy-friendly low back pain relief (by working on pelvic strength) to a “Chiromix” of Cardi B’s WAP.
