Dermatology Specialists welcomes Lauren Hagen to practice
After months of extensive hands-on training, she started seeing patients this week at the Navarre, Gulf Breeze and Pensacola locations.
“Dermatology is a good mix of hands on and general medicine,” Lauren said. “Plus, the skin is the organ that everyone sees, and it can play a big role in people’s confidence. So being able to help aide people in their skin conditions, it just feels good to build people’s confidence in clearing their skin.”
Lauren grew up in Pensacola and is excited to work in the area she was born and raised. She looks forward to developing relationships with her patients.
“I’m from the Panhandle, so I’m excited to finally be giving back to my general community and building relationships with the local people that live here.”
Lauren graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in biochemistry from the University of West Florida in Pensacola. From there she went on to earn her Master of Science in physician assistant practice from Florida State University College of Medicine in Tallahassee.
Lauren’s passion for dermatology comes from her commitment to total wellness. Through helping her patients maintain their healthiest skin, she can play an integral part in her patients’ overall health.
She likes helping people find a solution to their skin problems. Her favorite part of her job is treating acne and performing minor surgeries like cyst excision.
“I like the hands-on aspect and you get immediate results,” she said.
Lauren is plugged into her industry. She is a member of the Society of Dermatology Physician Assistants, the American Academy of Physician Assistants, and the Florida Academy of Physician Assistants.
Prior to obtaining her master’s degree, Lauren was a certified Emergency Medical Technician and worked in a procedural recovery unit as a Patient Care Technician.
She said she learned a lot from the position and appreciated her time as an EMT, but ultimately felt called to dermatology.
“I feel like it gives me a well-rounded balance of my medical knowledge,” she said. “It was a good introduction to the medical world.”
Now she gets to do what she loves every day at Dermatology Specialists. Skin is the largest organ, and she loves to see results.
“Skin is the one thing people notice the most about themselves probably,” she said. “And you can see the work that you’re putting in, so it’s very satisfying as a provider.”
When she’s not helping patients, Lauren enjoys spending time with her family, traveling, being outdoors, and cooking.
As far as her personal skin care routine, she uses a gentle fragrance-free cleanser and moisturizer and she said she uses a chemical exfoliant once or twice a week.
“For the general public, I would suggest a simple ingredient skin routine. Start with a gentle cleanser and gentle moisturizer and tailor it based on any other skin problems,” she said.
With summer starting and the sun coming in hot, Lauren reminds everyone to wear your sunscreen every day.
“I personally like zinc in my sunscreen,” she said. “It’s a physical blocker that sits on top of your skin and blocks the sun rays.”
She recommends Neutrogena sunscreen and CeraVe or Cetaphil cleansers and moisturizers.
“Something gentle and fragrance free because fragrance can dry your skin out more,” Lauren said.
The Gulf Breeze location of Dermatology Specialists has a spa connected to it that sells highly recommended skin products.
Lauren also suggests wide brim hats and UPF clothing which blocks UV rays.
“It’s really good for those fishing all day or those out in the sun for a while or who work outside,” she said.
Dermatology Specialists of Florida
2053 Fountain Professional Court, Suite B
850-932-1455
DermatologySpecialistsFL.com