Skin Care for Life on the Coast

Whitley Simpson, PA-C, helps patients stay proactive about sun damage and skin cancer at Coastal Skin Surgery and Dermatology.

Navarre native Whitley Simpson, a board-certified physician assistant at Coastal Skin Surgery and Dermatology, knows sunshine is a way of life for Emerald Coast residents.

As spring and summer approach and we are beckoned to long days of boating and beachside sunbathing, Simpson said that Coastal Skin Surgery and Dermatology is here to ensure you capitalize on the region’s outdoor offerings as safely as possible.

With offices located in Miramar Beach, Fort Walton Beach, Niceville, and Panama City Beach, Coastal Skin Surgery and Dermatology is devoted to providing comprehensive skincare, including the prevention, detection, and personalized treatment of dermatological diseases and conditions.

“A lot of our work relates to skin cancer, which we screen for year-round,” said Simpson, who provides patient care in the Miramar Beach office.  “Going into summer, people think about skin protection more as they start getting more sun.  Obviously, our area has a lot of people with a long history of sun exposure.”

Like many of her patients, Whitley grew up playing at the beach, contemplating surf and sandcastles rather than the long-term effects of sun exposure.

“When you are young, you don’t realize what the sun is doing,” Simpson said.  “My mom actually had skin cancer when I was younger.  I think you realize so much more as you get older.”

At the Miramar Beach office, where Whitley provides care, patients can benefit from a full spectrum of dermatological services under the care of Dr. Nicholas Papajohn, a board-certified dermatologist and Dr. David Adams, a board certified, fellowship-trained Mohs surgeon.

Mohs micrographic surgery is a procedure that precisely removes skin cancer from sensitive areas.  “Mild skin cancers on places like the face, ears, scalp, or shins don’t always have a lot of excess skin,” Simpson said.  “Mohs surgery allows for precise removal while preserving as much healthy tissue as possible.  Not every dermatologist is a Mohs surgeon, as it requires additional fellowship training, so it is really nice that we offer that service here.”

Simpson said that recently, Coastal Skin Surgery and Dermatology has begun offering products aimed at preventing harmful skin cancers before they develop.  Colloquially termed “chemo cream,” a compound of fluorouracil and calcipotriene can be applied twice daily to treat underlying damage and potentially cancerous sites.

“A lot of our patient aren’t familiar with it,” Simpson said.  “But we recommend it for people with significant sun damage.  It treats pre-cancers that are already there and helps reduce the risk of skin cancer in the future.  It’s really about prevention.”

Coastal Skin Surgery and Dermatology also provides cosmetic skin treatments tailored to support patient’s health and confidence.  The practice offers a catalog of injectables and fillers, as well as specialized treatments such as microneedling which targets restoration and rejuvenation.

The combination of high-level medical expertise and aesthetic treatments is what Simpson believes helps the practice succeed in its mission of patients achieving their skincare goals while preserving long-term dermatological health.

“It is rewarding to be able to help a lot people in this area,” Simpson said, reflecting on her past two years with Coastal Skin Surgery and Dermatology.  “I have always loved dermatology, but it’s nice to be working people who are helpful and make each other feel valued.  Everyone cares about each other, and we care about our patients.  It is a super positive environment that sets the standard for our level of care.”

coastalskinsurgery.com | (850) 654-3376 | info@coastalskinsurgery.com
Fort Walton Beach | Bluewater Bay/Niceville | Destin/Miramar Beach | Panama City Beach