My approach has always been the same: clinical excellence, patient education, and advanced dermatologic care — guided by what's right for you, not what's on a chart. This portal is built around that philosophy.
This is your private patient hub. The first goal is simple: complete your paperwork before you arrive, so when you walk in, you skip the clipboard, skip the waiting-room scramble, and we can spend our time on what actually matters — your skin health.
Beyond that, you'll find what to expect on visit day, after-care guides, your team's contact info, insurance verification, and a direct line for emergencies. Everything in one place. Always accessible.
We never push unnecessary procedures. We never recommend something just because it's profitable. We explain every option clearly, give you the time you need to decide, and respect that your skin, your health, your decision.
If something can wait, we'll tell you. If it can't, we'll explain why in plain language. Your trust matters more than any single procedure.
i. Paperwork first. Complete it in this portal before your visit — and we'll have you in the exam room within minutes of arriving. Saves you 20+ minutes versus filling forms in the waiting room.
ii. Your time matters. If we ever run more than 10 minutes behind, we'll tell you at check-in and give you the option to wait, reschedule, or step out.
iii. Questions stay open. Anything that comes up after your visit — message us through this portal. Same-day response during business hours.
Complete everything below before your visit. Each form takes 2–5 minutes. The more you finish in advance, the faster you're in the exam room on visit day.
Finish before your visit to save approximately 20+ minutes of waiting-room paperwork.
We're building electronic signature directly into this portal. Soon, every form will be sign-and-submit from your phone — no printing, no scanning, no bringing physical forms.
In the meantime, you can download forms, fill them out at home, and bring them with you — or our team can hand you a tablet at check-in for any forms still outstanding.
Knowing the flow makes everything easier. Here's exactly what happens from the moment you walk in to the moment you leave.
If you're anxious about your visit: Many of our patients have skin-related anxiety — you're not alone. Tell us at check-in. We take extra care to walk you through every step, explain findings in plain language, and make sure you leave feeling informed rather than overwhelmed.
A short checklist beyond just paperwork. Most patients can complete everything in 15 minutes total.
Wear loose, comfortable clothing. Remove nail polish from fingers and toes if possible — we check under the nails too. Make note of any spots that have changed, are new, itch, or bleed. If you've been tracking a mole, bring photos showing how it's changed over time.
Plan for a half-day visit. Mohs surgery is done in stages — each layer is examined under a microscope while you wait. Most cases take 2–4 hours total, but some take longer. Bring a book, phone charger, and snacks. You may eat beforehand. A driver is not required but may be helpful for procedures near the eyes.
Avoid blood-thinning medications (aspirin, ibuprofen, fish oil) for 7–10 days before surgery unless directed otherwise by your prescribing doctor. Do not stop any medication without speaking to the doctor who prescribed it.
Bring photos of results you admire. Come with an honest sense of what concerns you most. Dr. Derrick's approach to cosmetic dermatology — fillers, neurotoxins, chemical peels, microneedling — starts with understanding what you want. The more honest the conversation, the better the result.
We see patients of all ages starting at newborn. Dr. Derrick is one of the few fellowship-trained pediatric dermatologists in New Jersey. A few tips that make pediatric visits easier:
◇ Talk about it positively beforehand — no scary stories
◇ Bring a comfort item (small toy, blanket)
◇ Try to schedule earlier in the day when energy is fresh
◇ You're welcome to stay in the room — we never separate kids from parents
A full-service medical, surgical, cosmetic, and pediatric dermatology practice with board-certified providers and advanced treatment capabilities.
Paragon Skin brings together board-certified dermatologists, fellowship-trained specialists, and experienced providers across medical, surgical, cosmetic, and pediatric dermatology. Dr. Handler is fellowship-trained in Mohs micrographic surgery with over 30 peer-reviewed publications. Dr. Derrick is one of the few fellowship-trained pediatric dermatologists in all of New Jersey.
What this means for you: expert diagnosis, precise treatment, and outcomes guided by the latest evidence in dermatologic care.
Personalized care guides for every procedure. After your appointment, the relevant guide automatically surfaces here — but everything stays accessible whenever you need to reference it.
When to call us directly: Persistent bleeding after 24 hours · pain that worsens after day 3 · swelling that spreads · redness/warmth/drainage at the wound site · fever above 101°F. Don't wait — call (732) 234-7546.
Paragon Skin is led by Dr. Mark Handler and Dr. Kristina Derrick, with Ashley Falis, PA-C, and a dedicated team of medical professionals who make every visit smooth.
Dr. Handler is a Board Certified Dermatologist specializing in Mohs Surgery and Skin Cancer. He graduated from UC San Diego with a B.S. and received his M.D. from the University of Nebraska. He completed a research fellowship in Pediatric Dermatology, a residency in Dermatology at Rutgers, and a Mohs Micrographic Surgery fellowship. He is an Assistant Clinical Professor at Rutgers New Jersey Medical School.
Dr. Handler served as a fellow in the U.S. House of Representatives, received three Congressional Recognition Awards, and is the first author of back-to-back cover articles in the Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology. He has over 30 peer-reviewed publications and five book chapters.
Dr. Derrick is a Board-certified dermatologist and fellowship-trained Pediatric Dermatologist — one of only 15–20 across North America who complete this fellowship each year. She earned her B.A. from Johns Hopkins, M.S. in Biochemistry from Johns Hopkins School of Public Health, and completed residency and fellowship at SUNY Downstate where she served as Chief Resident.
She developed modules for the AAD's Skin of Color curriculum, received the Certificate of Courage for staffing COVID wards in Brooklyn in spring 2020, and has numerous peer-reviewed publications. She specializes in pediatric skin conditions, cosmetic treatments, and patch testing.
Ashley Falis is a certified Physician Assistant with over 20 years of experience in General Dermatology. She received her B.S. in Health Science and completed Physician Assistant studies at Wagner College/Staten Island University Hospital's top-ranking program, followed by specialized dermatology training.
She is known for taking her time, never rushing through exams, and explaining everything clearly. Ashley practices in both the Toms River and Manahawkin offices.
At Paragon Skin, our mission is to empower every patient to feel confident and radiant in their own skin. Through personalized care, advanced treatments, and a commitment to excellence, we deliver transformative results while prioritizing health, education, and well-being.
That's the kind of dermatology visit you deserve.
Insurance is genuinely confusing. We've made it our job to make it less so. We accept most major insurance carriers and handle all filing on your behalf.
Submit your insurance card photos through this portal (or share when you book) and we'll verify your coverage before your appointment. By the time you sit in the exam room, we already know what's covered, what your copay will be, and whether you've met your deductible.
Most insurance verifies in under 30 minutes
We accept most insurance policies. When you schedule your first appointment, our staff will verify your eligibility.
Don't see your provider? Message us through the portal — we likely accept it or can verify out-of-network benefits.
We accept all major credit cards, cash, and personal checks. For cosmetic procedures and larger treatment plans, we can discuss payment options. We discuss your specific treatment costs and payment options privately, with no pressure. You'll always know costs before any work begins.
If your friends or family ask "do you know a good dermatologist?" — we hope you'll think of us. Word of mouth is how this practice grew, and how we'd love to keep growing.
If you've had a great experience here, please share Paragon Skin with the people you love. We'll take exceptional care of them — and we'll always thank you for the introduction.
One tap — your phone opens a pre-written message ready to send
Friends and family who might appreciate Paragon Skin's approach:
◇ Anyone looking for a board-certified dermatologist in Ocean County
◇ Parents searching for a pediatric dermatologist for their children
◇ People who want a Mohs surgery specialist close to home
◇ Friends interested in cosmetic treatments — fillers, Botox, peels
◇ Anyone ready for a thorough, no-rush skin cancer screening
Reviews are how new patients find us. Even a single sentence makes a difference.
This is your direct line to our front desk team — a clean text thread tied specifically to your visit. We prefer text over phone for non-urgent questions.
What happens next: When you tap "Send," your phone's messaging app opens with everything pre-filled — your visit details, the subject you selected, and your question. Office responds: same-day during business hours.
Skin emergencies happen at inconvenient times. Here's how to handle them.
During business hours, we'll get you in same-day. After hours, the line provides emergency guidance.
◇ Mild rash without fever
◇ Acne flare-up
◇ Dry, itchy skin
◇ Non-urgent mole concerns
◇ Cosmetic questions
If you're unsure — just call us. We'd much rather you call than worry through the weekend.
For everything tied to your visit, use the Message Office tab — it keeps everything organized. For day-of urgencies, call directly.
The Message Office tab is built exactly for this. Your visit details auto-attach to every message.
214 Commons Way, Bld B
Toms River, NJ 08755
1616 Route 72 West
Manahawkin, NJ 08050
Complete your paperwork ahead of time, arrive a few minutes early, and we'll have you in the exam room quickly. We'll spend our time on what matters — your care, your comfort, and your skin health.
— The Paragon Skin Team