Our latest Beauty Boss is Dr. Chris Tomassian, a Board-Certified Dermatologist and Founder of The Dermatology Collective—a state-of-the-art medical practice in Glendora, CA that offers cosmetic and medical dermatology services and innovative treatments that range from microneedling and radiofrequency to Intense Pulsed Light Treatments and devices from Powered By MRP. He was named Cosmetic Chief of his residency program and in 2020 was named The Best Dermatologist in Kansas City.

When creating The Dermatology Collective, Dr. Tomassian wanted to create a space that was inviting, accessible, relaxing and enjoyable. Passionate about his career and industry, his goal is to treat patients like family and work with them closely to create a personalized plan to better their skin.

“I love seeing my patients' lives change and seeing them become more confident.,” Dr. Tomassian says. “Skin conditions are very visible and it's amazing to take something people are vulnerable about and give treatments that truly change their lives. I see this often with patients with acne, eczema, melasma, hair loss and more! I curate unique plans for each of my patients to hit their skin or hair goals and it’s an honor to guide them through the process.”

Dr. Tomassian has also taken his love for skin care a step further by creating an amazing online community of over 2 million followers on TikTok and Instagram. There, he provides his expert perspective to tackle social media trends and misinformation, while at the same time guiding his followers to find effective and affordable skin care.

We chatted with Dr. Tomassian, who discusses his innovative approach to skin care, signature procedures and treatments, and more.

When did you open The Dermatology Collective?

I opened The Dermatology Collective in September 2022. I graduated residency in June 2022 but I started working on the practice in May. Throughout residency, I had the opportunity to work with different Dermatologists across the country and I took everything I learned from them, everything their patients loved about them and put it into my own practice. Throughout the way, partners like Powered by MRP and people like Scott Carson helped me bring this vision to life. We opened our doors in a community that was very low on dermatological resources and we’re excited to treat, nurture and grow in Glendora, CA.

Dr. Tomassian and his team of experts offer cosmetic and medical services at his state-of-the-art practice.

What services do you offer?

The Dermatology Collective is dedicated to 50% medical/surgical patients and 50% are cosmetic patients. With our medical patients, we treat everything from acne patients to skin cancer patients, while performing preventive skin checks. For our cosmetic patients I have a range of devices (including traditional microneedling, Radiofrequency Microneedling, Co2 laser, IPL/Nd-YAG, Q-Switch), as well as fillers and neuromodulators. I am proud to have many state-of-the-art devices available for my patients. These devices are notoriously expensive, but I was luckily introduced to Scott Carson and Powered by MRP and was able to obtain many of these devices at a reasonable cost.

RF (radiofrequency) Microneedling: INTRAcel RF microneedling is a cosmetic treatment that uses state-of-the-art techniques to address fine lines, stretch marks, wrinkles, scars, and other skin issues. This minimally invasive treatment is extremely effective. This treatment’s combination of traditional microneedling methods with radiofrequency energy will affect your deeper tissues and create dramatic changes in your skin. The downtime is minimal, around one day and treatment can be repeated in four weeks.
CO2 Laser: Edge One CO2 laser is an ablative laser. The Co2 laser targets the water in our skin, creating hundreds of microscopic holes in the skin with minimal damage to the surrounding structures. This controlled damage to the skin allows for skin remodeling and collagen and elastin formation. This is one of the best lasers to treat uneven texture, wrinkles, large pores, surgical and acne scars, as well as sun damage. The Edge One is a very versatile machine which allows me to manipulate the energy to treat different skin conditions and personalize it for each patient.
M22: IPL/Q-Switch/Nd-Yag Laser: The M22 is a multi-use laser platform that incorporates Intense Pulsed Light, Q-Switch ND-YAG, as well as long pulse ND-YAG. Intense pulsed light (IPL) therapy, aka photofacial, is a way to improve the appearance of sun damage, and reduce the signs of aging of your skin without surgery. It can help undo some of the sun damage we accumulate in our youth such as sun spots, redness, uneven texture and tone. One of the most common conditions I treat is redness from rosacea, which can be notoriously stubborn. We use special filters with the IPL to target the blood in the vessels which helps them collapse, limiting your overall redness and flushing. IPL can also be used to boost collagen, as well as permanent hair reduction. IPL is a great device, however, it is important to have this done by a trained professional as you can potentially have negative outcomes like unwanted burns or hyperpigmentation/hypopigmentation. IPL is best used on lighter skin types and is best performed in the colder months (Oct-March). For deeper blue blood vessels as well as cherry angiomas (red moles), we utilize the long pulse ND-Yag which allows us to target deeper skin structures.
Q-Switch Nd-YAG: This device allows the use of target pigment on darker skin tissues as well target dark tattoos.
Bela MD+ Derminfusion and Microdermabrasion: BELA combines popular treatment essentials such as medical-grade dermabrasion, deep cleansing, and serum infusion with muscle stimulation, antioxidant action, and electroporation to elevate the treatment experience and results. This comprehensive treatment helps treat and protect against common skin concerns such as skin aging, dehydration, acne, and photodamage, discoloration with customizable treatment options and targeted serum solutions.

Dr. Tomassian is a Board-Certified dermatologist who offers innovative skin care treatments and ultra-modern lasers at The Dermatology Collective in Glendora, CA.

Do you have a specialty?

The beauty of dermatology is the variety of my speciality. I specialize in medical, surgical, and cosmetic dermatology which allows me to treat a patient fully. If I had to pick a favorite it would be cosmetics, especially laser therapy (CO2). Treating scars from all varieties (traumatic, surgical, self induced, etc) is one of my favorite procedures to offer as it can really make the biggest difference for someone.

Do you offer a signature treatment?

The EDGE CO2 Vanity Peel is a great lunch time, low down time procedure (usually 1 to 2 days of pink, red skin, depending on your skin) which creates a hundreds of microscopic holes in the skin (controlled damage) to help build collagen, reduce fine lines, wrinkles, reduce pore size, as well help with uneven texture and skin tone. This can be done on all skin types and great for maintenance skin rejuvenation for my younger patients.

What’s your most popular treatment?

Microneedling RF is the most popular service offered at my clinic. People love this for several reasons. One, it can be used on all skin types and all skin colors. This device includes all the benefits of microneedling to build collagen and elastin, but also delivers radiofrequency heat for further tissue tightening and collagen stimulation. With so many great benefits and minimal downtime, this is a treatment everyone wants!

What product lines do you carry?

Currently, my practice sells Elta MD, RoC Skincare and MD Solar Sciences. Our most popular sunscreen is the MD Solar Sciences Gleam + Glow SPF 50 and our most popular product is the RoC Multi Correxion Hydrate Plump Serum Capsules. I only carry products that I personally love and would use myself. We have SPF options for all skin types, skin tones and lifestyle needs.

How has TikTok impacted your practice?

Without my TikTok community, I would not have my practice. It’s very direct and true. There are rarely residents who graduate and open their own practice. With the love, support and empowerment of my 1.6M+ followers, I was able to open my practice and now I get to see my followers as patients, whether it's in person at our Glendora office or via telehealth. Telehealth has been an amazing way for me to connect with my community around the world and it’s a service I’m proud to offer at The Dermatology Collective.

In addition to his clientele, Dr. Tomassian has also created an amazing online community of over 2 million followers on TikTok and Instagram.

Who inspires you?

My parents have inspired me from a young age. My father is not only a brilliant family physician but he has taught me that patient care is so fulfilling. My family has always given their all to their patients and that is what inspired me to become a physician. Now I work one block away from my dad and it’s a very full circle moment. I also feel inspired by my peers who have supported me from the beginning like Dr. Anannd Rajpara, Scott Carson, Dr. Muneeb Shah and Dr. Shant Tomassian.

Secret to success?

My fiancé. Paulina has been by my side through residency and has worked alongside me to bring my dreams for The Dermatology Collective to life. The “secret” is support and having someone rooting for you every day. This helps fuel my drive and I’m so grateful for her partnership.

Beauty secrets?

Skin care starts with a simple but strong routine. Three words: SPF, retinol, vitamin C. This is the best way to prevent skin issues as well as maintain or achieve healthy skin. I always recommend SPF with moisturizer, I love a good multi-use product like the La Roche-Posay Toleriane Double Repair UV SPF Moisturizer with Sunscreen SPF 30. My retinol is prescription from SkinMedicinals, but if you’re new to retinol, I highly recommend starting with the Kiehl's microdose retinol serum. In terms of vitamin C, I love the new L'Oreal 12% Pure Vitamin C + E + Salicylic Acid Serum.

Wellness tip?

This year, one resolution I support is sleep hygiene. Sleep is crucial not only for your mental health but affects your skin! Lack of sleep increases inflammation, which causes signs of early aging and breakouts. Sleep deprivation can eventually lead to stress, and stress has been known to result in telogen effluvium hair loss. This is when stress pushes the hair follicle into a premature “resting state,” which is then followed by a premature "shedding phase." Your body, mind and skin need restorative sleep to prevent it from going into cortisol surge. With 7+ hours of restful sleep, your skin will love and feel younger, healthier and brighter.

Favorite ways to relax?

Personally, my favorite way to relax is playing video games! It’s a fun way for me to connect with my friends from medical school and take a break from work. Self care is subjective, but each month I like to treat myself to things I enjoy like getting myself a BELA MD+ treatment, going to the movies or getting a massage. I also genuinely love my morning and evening skin care routines and make sure to try to relax at those times by putting away my phone, focusing on the routine, and seeing how my skin might be reacting to my environment that day.

For more information about The Dermatology Collective, visit their website and follow them on Instagram: @dr.tomassian

[Photo credit: Blanca Diaz, @blancittaaa, @idclosangeles]

Beauty Boss: Dr. Chris Tomassian, Founder of The Dermatology Collective