“Clients Today Are Much Better Informed.” Is TikTok Becoming Good for Us?
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He’s one of the longest-standing online derms, known for giving in-depth, scientific skincare advice to thousands of followers, as well as his disdain for online misinformation.
But since he first started posting on YouTube in 2015, it’s fair to say the online beauty space has changed dramatically (with everything from tween skincare to filler trends coming under fire for their influence).
So what is YouTube derm Davin Lim’s real take on the online skincare information tsunami? We sit down with the man himself to find out his real take on all things #beautytok.
From trainee derm to YouTuber
The first Australian to be trained under the Irish Association of Dermatologists, Dr Lim did residencies in Dublin and Drogheda, Ireland, before then training in the UK and winning a Royal Society of Medicine Registrar’s Prize.
He finished his training in Australia where he focused on cosmetic and laser dermatology and then travelled throughout Asia and the US to expand his knowledge.
“I’ve always been fascinated by lasers and evolving technology,” he says. “Dermatology is a field that continuously progresses, making it an exciting and dynamic area to work in.”
In 2007 he started Westside Dermatology in his native Australia. His favourite skin issues to tackle? “Pigmentation and acne scarring,” he says. “Both require a thoughtful approach and often yield life-changing results for patients.”
By 2015 he was sharing his knowledge on all things skin on YouTube, eventually reaching over 650,000 followers and over 100 million views.
How socials have shifted our skincare understanding
With nine years of consistent content creation behind him then, what does Dr Lim make of the explosion in skincare information, misinformation, and trends – particularly since the Covid pandemic seemingly turned us all into skinfluencers?
“Trends have shifted significantly over the years,” he explains.
Far from being all bad though, Dr Lim says that in some ways, online trends have shifted towards prioritising skin health and long term goals over fast results.
“A decade ago, high volume injectables were popular but now there’s more interest in natural-derived treatments like polynucleotides.” These are molecules that trigger new production of collagen and elastin and help to improve the overall look of the skin.
“Looking ahead, I expect a rise in bioremodelling – stimulating the body’s natural processes to boost collagen production.”
The upside of social media
And although there’s been an alarming rise in beauty misinformation online (hello, caveman skincare), Dr Lim says there’s been another benefit alongside an increased interest in skin health; the rise in derms sharing their expertise.
“I believe an informed patient is a better patient,” he says. “When people have a clearer understanding of the treatments, processes and outcomes, they come in with more realistic expectations and are better prepared for their journey.”
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“It has improved efficiency,” he says. “Patients now arrive with a deeper understanding of treatments, recovery timelines and achievable results.”
And socials have helped him personally too, he says. “Social media has also sharpened my ability to communicate concisely and accurately with both patients and peers.”
The takeaway
According to one of the online space’s longest-standing derms then, socials aren’t all bad for skin information.
If TikTok or Insta are your favourite spaces for beauty inspo though, “Don’t chase trends or fall for marketing hype,” Dr Lim says. “Keep your routine simple and focus on what truly works.”
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