Spa Review: We Tried the Bela MD Facial at The Dermatology Collective
The Dermatology Collective is a state-of-the-art medical practice in Glendora, California that was founded by board-certified dermatologist Dr. Chris Tomassian.
It’s not every day that one gets the chance to see a renowned dermatologist who also happens to be TikTok famous, and I recently had the opportunity to do just that. I made the trip out to Glendora, California where I met with Dr. Chris Tomassian at his state-of-the-art medical practice The Dermatology Collective.
Dr. Tomassian opened his practice in September 2022 in Glendora because the community was low on dermatological resources. Located in the San Gabriel Valley and nestled in the foothills of the San Gabriel Mountains, Glendora is just under 30 miles east of downtown Los Angeles and is known as the “Pride of The Foothills.”
One thing that sets Dr. Tomassian apart from your average dermatologist is the fact that he is very active on social media and enjoys sharing his expertise with his online community of over 2 million followers on TikTok and Instagram. He’s passionate about skin care and loves to help people in any way he can, whether it’s by addressing various social media trends and misinformation to offering them suggestions for finding effective and affordable skin care products.
#BeautyBoss: Dr. Chris Tomassian, Founder of The Dermatology Collective
But large social media followings aside, Dr. Tomassian also has an impressive educational and professional background as well. He’s a Board-Certified dermatologist who completed medical school at the University of Missouri Kansas City before furthering his dermatology training at Kansas University Medical Center, where he developed his passion for aesthetic and medical dermatology and was named Cosmetic Chief of his residency program.
He was also named The Best Dermatologist in Kansas City and upon returning to his home state of California, he wanted to create an inviting and state-of-the-art medical practice to serve his community while treating them like family, which led to the opening of The Dermatology Collective.
The waiting area at The Dermatology Collective.
Here’s what you’ll love about The Dermatology Collective:
Its founder, Dr. Chris Tomassian, is a Board-Certified dermatologist who is passionate about skin care and provides his expertise to his amazing online community of over 2 millions followers on social media.
Prior to opening his practice, Dr. Tomassian was named Cosmetic Chief of his residency program at Kansas University Medical Center and in 2020 he was named The Best Dermatologist in Kansas City.
Dr. Tomassian specializes in medical, surgical and cosmetic dermatology which allows him to treat a patient fully to ensure all of their needs are addressed and they achieve the results they are looking for.
The Dermatology Collective (TDC) is a state-of-the-art medical practice that was created to make skin care more accessible to the community, offering a wide range of cosmetic and medical dermatology services and innovative treatments for all types of skin conditions.
The warm and inviting atmosphere at TDC makes people feel comfortable and relaxed, and Dr. Tomassian and his team of experts treat every client like family and work with them individually to create a personalized plan to improve their skin.
TDC only carries dermatologist-recommended skincare brands (Elta MD, RoC Skincare and MD Solar Sciences) that Dr. Tomassian personally uses and approves of.
Among the innovative treatments that are offered at TDC include Microneedling RF, the EDGE CO2 Vanity Peel, devices from Powered By MRP, and the Bela MD Facial—which combines multiple effective technologies into one comfortable treatment designed to address a variety of skin conditions and improve skin quality.
They accept different insurance plans and also offer virtual telehealth appointments for additional convenience.
The Dermatology Collective is located in a modern building right on Foothill Boulevard and they have an outdoor lot with free parking for added convenience. I entered the lobby and took the elevator to the second floor where the practice is located. They have a spacious and comfortable waiting area with multiple armchairs and sofas where clients can relax prior to their appointment. Upon checking in at the front desk and filling out several standard forms, I was immediately brought back to one of the treatment rooms.
As I made my way to the treatment room, I passed a wall that was lined with dermatologist-recommended skincare brands such as Elta MD, RoC Skincare and MD Solar Sciences. Dr. Tomassian is a fan of these specific brands and also uses them on himself, so clients can rest assured knowing that any product he suggests comes with a verified stamp of approval!
The Dermatology Collective also carries dermatologist-recommended skincare brands including EltaMD in its retail area.
Throughout Dr. Tomassian’s office he maintains a tranquil atmosphere that features neutral colors and artwork, comfortable treatment chairs and beds, as well as flat-screen TVs on the walls to keep clients entertained and relaxed during their time there. I was led into into one of rooms where I would be receiving my treatment, the Bela MD Facial, and prior to my service I had the chance to sit down with Dr. Tomassian to discuss my skin and any concerns, as well as ask him questions about the treatment and skin care in general.
Dr. Tomassian has a wealth of knowledge when it comes to skin care and unlike some doctors who are always in a hurry, he took the time to get to know me and learn more about my skin history and goals. He also explained what today’s treatment would consist of and offered some after care tips as well as product recommendations to further improve my skin.
Dr. Tomassian’s practice features tranquil walls and artwork in neutral tones to create a relaxing ambiance.
After our nice conversation, one of Dr. Tomassian’s expert physician assistants came in to perform the Bela MD Facial on me. It’s an all-in-one skin LUVO aesthetic treatment that combines multiple effective technologies together to improve overall skin quality and address various skin conditions such as dryness, acne, photodamage and aging skin.
The treatment, which is performed using the Bela MD+ Advanced Skin Health Platform from Powered by MRP, includes medical-grade dermabrasion, deep cleansing and serum infusion along with muscle stimulation, antioxidant action and electroporation—and despite all of the above, it’s non-invasive and leaves skin glowing so you can go about the rest of your day after.
“The Bela MD+ Advanced Skin Platform’s results-driven technology takes popular treatments such as serum infusion and diamond microdermabrasion to the next level,” said Scott Carson, Founder and CEO of Powered by MRP. “This popular, non-invasive treatment exfoliates and deeply hydrates the skin with the infusion of powerful ingredients for a toning and lifting effect. The energy-based device is also ideal to prepare the skin of your patients before more extensive treatments to optimize results and patients’ satisfaction.”
The Dermatology Collective treats over 100 different medical conditions and specializes in natural and safe cosmetic dermatology treatments.
The entire treatment from start to finish was relaxing, painless and quick (which isn’t always the case with some facial services) and consisted of six steps. I came in with clean skin so that she could get right to work. First she removed dead skin cells off the surface of my skin with the diamond microdermabrasion tool, which accelerates skin cell turnover, reduces the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles, and allows for ingredients and products to better penetrate skin.
Using the Aqua handpiece and tip, she infused my skin with hydrogen-rich water to reduce oxidative stress and inflammation, which felt very soothing and refreshing. Instead of typical extractions to remove impurities in the skin (which can be painful and cause redness), she loosened and removed debris from my pores with the Ultrasonic Skin Scrubber, which is one of my favorite devices that I wish more estheticians would incorporate into their treatments. It features a metal spatula that oscillates with ultrasonic vibrations to create a pressure washing effect that helps rid skin of dirt, debris and impurities.
Then came my favorite part of the treatment: the facial and neck toning massage. Using the Bela MD Y Handpiece, which has 360-degree rotating massage balls and Micro-current Electrical Neuromuscular Stimulation (MENS) technology to stimulate muscles, she performed a relaxing massage on my face and neck, focusing around the jawline and under the chin. The repeated muscle contraction and relaxation boosts circulation and toning, and once she finished she handed me a mirror so that I could see the instant results—the difference was quite noticeable with more lift and firmness and she pointed out that one will see further results with more treatments.
A flat-screen TV in one of the treatment rooms keeps patients entertained while they wait and undergo their procedures.
When selecting the serum to infuse into my skin, she asked me what skin issues I wanted to treat and I told her that hydrating my skin was my main goal for the treatment. She incorporated the BELA bCALM Bio-infusion serum into the service, which helps replenish the skin barrier, boosts hydration, reduces water loss, and improves skin’s firmness and elasticity. They also offer other serums for reducing dark spots, brightening skin and treating acne, depending on the clients’ needs.
For the final step, she applied a gentle electrical field to my skin during electroporation, which optimizes the absorption of the serums allowing them to penetrate deeper into the skin. Once the current stops, skin cells return to their normal state and have the active ingredients enclosed inside of them for continued benefits.
After that she was done—and I couldn’t believe how hydrated and supple my skin felt. Unlike some facials where you want to head straight home after and not see anyone for the rest of the day, my skin was glowing, bright, and looked better than it did less than an hour ago when I had walked in the door. For optimal results, the Bela MD Facial is recommended in a series of three to five appointments, spaced one month apart.
If you’re looking for instant results and glowing skin with zero downtime, the Bela MD Facial is a great way to go. It’s painless, effective and relaxing, and the best part is that you can do it anytime of day without it interfering with your busy schedule or the need to cancel plans. If anything, once you see how good your skin looks after, you’ll want to make some plans!
The Bela MD combines multiple effective technologies into one comfortable treatment designed to address numerous skin conditions and improve overall skin quality.
Cost: Bela MD Facial ($150-$250)
Insider Tip: For best results, typically a series of three to five appointments, spaced one month apart, is recommended. There is free parking in the outdoor lot next to the building.
Hours: 9 a.m. to 12 p.m., 1:30 p.m. to 5 p.m. (Monday-Friday)
Address: 552 W Foothill Boulevard, Suite 202, Glendora, CA 91741
Phone: 626-240-2020
Email: info@thedermatologycollective.com
For more information about The Dermatology Collective and to book a treatment, visit their website and follow them on Instagram: @dr.tomassian
[Photos by Kamala Kirk]
Kamala Kirk is a University of Southern California graduate and has been an editor/writer for more than a decade. She has written for E! Online, Total Beauty, TravelAge West, Malibu Times Magazine, and many more. She resides in Los Angeles and is a proud pug mom. Follow her on Instagram: @kamalakirk