The Celeb Derm Tackling TikTok’s Misinformation One Myth at a Time
Main image – Dr Angelo
If you’re any sort of beauty fan you’ll definitely have heard of him. After all, his beautifully cynical TikToks gain him plenty of attention from both fans and enemies alike.
Yes, we’re talking about Dr Angelo Landriscina (or @dermangelo to give him his proper TikTok handle), one of the best-known- yet possibly most divisive- derms of our time.
With an account dedicated to tackling skin-related misinformation, Dr Angelo’s high-profile takedowns of some of the more egregious beauty myths and routines peddled online have gained him a loyal following, while simultaneously upsetting some of the beauty influencers named – and facing the wrath of their followers too.
Image – Dr Angelo
But whether you enjoy his direct (and I have to say, hilarious) approach or not, one thing’s for sure – he is passionate about clearing up misinformation (something we’re absolutely here for).
So, we had a chat with him about the highs and lows of social media, what drives his deep need to confront misinformation head on, and the one skincare myth he wishes could be consigned to history forever.
Why dermatology?
Dr Angelo explains his choice of career was inspired by something deeper than simply how skin looks. “I realised that the skin, hair and nails have a unique social importance, and as a result, dermatologic diseases have wide-ranging impacts on one’s life,” he explains.
“They don’t just have physical symptoms like a rash or itch. They can impact how others see us, and even how we see and feel about ourselves. I wanted to be the one to help.”
And now that he’s got the job, what keeps him showing up each day? “I would say the variety of it,” he says. “Dermatology is a very customisable job. In my clinical practice, I focus on aesthetic dermatology, but I still get to treat medical conditions like acne and rosacea.
Image – Dr Angelo
Through the content creation side of my career I get a totally different outlet and way of connecting with people. I wear a lot of hats, and each one fits me well.”
And in the spirit of variety, Dr Angelo says that in his world, no two days are the same. “On days when I’m seeing patients, I give that the majority of my attention,” he says.
“On days devoted to my other endeavours I can be creating new content, talking with journalists as an expert source, or speaking on a panel.”
Sharing is caring
The idea of sharing his expertise on social media came from the inaccuracy Dr Angelo was seeing online. “When I was in training, we always used to tell patients, ‘don’t Google your symptoms’ since it was very difficult to find accurate information online, and a lot of what was out there was scary or overblown,” he explains.
But then something shifted. “When I was a resident, I had a specific interaction with a teen who had developed an uncommon condition called “pityriasis rosea.” She came into clinic already having made the diagnosis herself! I was very impressed. It was a real lightbulb moment for me – people were getting better at finding the right information, we just needed to provide it.”
So now that skincare has become more of a widely popular topic, what else has changed? “One big change that I love is the emphasis on safer sun practices,” he says. We love to hear it.
“UV exposure from the sun is the primary preventable risk factor for skin cancer and skin aging. More and more people are taking this seriously and implementing safer sun practices in their daily lives.”
And he says talking about social media definitely has its upsides, particularly for shining a light on the perspective of the consumer. “I do quite a lot of work with brands, and I think they’re able to get so much more feedback now. We can so easily see what people want and meet their needs,” he says.
Finding his tribe
It’s pretty clear just from his follower count on TikTok alone that Dr Angelo is well liked. “A lot of the people in my comments section would disagree,” he says. But he says his popularity boils down to trust.
“I love my audience, and I feel that I’ve been able to grow it over time by earning their trust,” he explains. “I try to be real and evidence-based in all of my content, and I think people appreciate that since so much of social media is smoke and mirrors. I also try to make my content fun while being educational at the same time, so people can enjoy learning with me.”
Image – Dr Angelo
Mr Anti-misinformation
Well-known for his disdain for the wrong advice getting out there, Dr Angelo says scaremongering is the cause. “Sensationalism sells,” he says. “Whether it’s online clout or actual financial profits people are after, scare tactics are a great way to leverage one’s emotions for your personal goals. It only stands to get worse as fact checking has been devalued online.”
@dermangelo #stitch with @Anne Marie Avey Dear viewer: It’s not worth it!!! #dermreacts #skincare #dermatologist #reaction #reactionvideo #dermangelo
His advice to online users on how to best protect themselves is clear. “I’d suggest that people get their information from experts in each specific subject area.”Whilst there are many skincare trends and myths that casually get thrown around, the one Dr Angelo most wishes people wouldn’t perpetuate is the apparent need for multiple products in your skincare regime. “I wish we had less waste in skincare overall,” he says.
“One myth that leads to more consumption and waste is that you need a lot of steps to have an effective skincare routine. Quite often, overdoing it on the products is making people’s skin worse.” Anything else? “I also wish people would stop demonising sunscreens.” Amen!
@dermangelo #onthisday Hate these! #dermreacts #skincare #dermatologist #reaction #reactionvideo #dermangelo
And what about the one skincare tip, aside from using regular SPF, that he wishes would be preached about more? “Consistency is key,” he says. “Find a routine that’s intentional and aimed at your specific concerns and stick with it!”
Derm Angelo at home
So, we’ve got to know Dr Angelo, self-confessed ‘derm daddy’ and online straight talker. But who is he when he’s not working to tackle skincare myths or fixing patients? Let’s start with his personal skincare regime.
“It is heavy on the SPF, retinoids and vitamin C because I like to stick with the evidence,” he explains. “On the other hand, I’ve felt freer to express myself – it’s easier when you have less f*cks to give.
Image – Dr Angelo
“Coming up in the medical field, I always felt like I could be myself only up to a point in order to be respected. Now, anything goes. I’ve been discovering how I can express myself with new hairstyles, painting my nails and even experimenting with makeup.”
Image – Dr Angelo
What about his overall beauty inspiration? “Aside from my dermatologists (amazing skin all around), definitely the women in my family,” he says. “All of them have fun with beauty! From a celebrity angle, Lady Gaga is my ultimate icon and the work she’s been doing with her makeup artist Sarah Tanno is so inspiring. Paul Mescal is my current hair inspo.”
Finally, he says time with his family helps him to disconnect and recharge. “Even if I’m burnt-out [family] reminds me what it’s all for,” he says. “Spending time in the gym is also a favourite, as well as cocktails and a yap session with friends.” *Finds way to make friends with Dr Angelo immediately.*
The takeaway
You may be of the opinion that Dr Angelo’s blunt opinions on social media are a bit harsh. Or you might be one of the thousands who love it (*raises hand enthusiastically*). Either way, his passion for making sure the right advice gets out there is palpable.
And the harsh reality is that we do have a misinformation problem online.
It’s not in every corner of the internet- there are plenty of good guys too- but it is widespread enough that we all need to be careful who we’re looking to for our beauty information. Because when it comes to your skin, only expert advice will do.
So, wear the SPF, don’t overload your skin with multiple ingredients and do listen to the likes of Dr Angelo because, let’s face it, a medical qualification means way more than a blue tick.
As for Dr Angelo and his ongoing skincare advice, there is even more on the horizon. “I can’t say too much yet, but I’ve been working on something that will help people take care of their skin in a new way – stay tuned!” Oh we most definitely will!
Get Glowing!
