Dr. Nitin Bawa opened his practice, Dr. Bawa and Associates, in Santa Rosa Beach, about 10 years ago and has since added locations in Destin and Fort Walton Beach. He completed his M.D. and residency at University of Illinois, Chicago and is board certified in internal medicine. Bawa’s interest in complementary and holistic medicine has led him to pursue additional training in these fields, and he attends conferences frequently to keep his knowledge fresh. His practice provides integrative, holistic medical care focused on general, overall wellness and employs natural treatments whenever possible.

Bawa’s interest in holistic medicine and bioidentical hormones stems from patient requests. “I had patients come and ask me to help them with bioidentical hormones, and that is when I started to research their use,” he relates. “When I started prescribing them, patients came back with rave reviews and even started to lose weight and have more energy.”

As this and other areas of anti-aging medicine have become a more prominent part of Dr. Bawa and Associates, the physician’s areas of special interest have come to include hormone and genetic testing, weight loss and esthetic services, including the use of state-of-the-art lasers. He strives to provide the latest and best treatments for his patients through well-researched, cutting-edge treatments, supplements and natural remedies that can enhance their quality of life.

Patients begin with a full screening that includes very detailed bloodwork and may also include hormone testing and some of the latest genetic testing available, which can help individuals to identify increased risk factors related to some health problems, determine the root cause of health issues and provide guidance regarding what types of treatments to choose.

In line with the practices of the Mayo Clinic, the Scripps Institute and Duke University, Bawa was one of the first in the Northwest Florida area to use genetic testing as a routine part of a complete physical. Saliva testing is also performed at an additional charge. Bawa accepts health insurance and tries to ensure that the patient is not billed too much for the tests.

Bawa pays attention to his patients’ weight and level of physical activity, knowing the monumental influence extra body fat and lack of physical activity can have on health. He notes, “Simply using bioidentical hormones can boost a person’s metabolism and make it easier to lose weight; plus, we monitor each individual and their progress as we consider a variety of treatments to improve weight loss and increase energy levels. No two individuals are alike, and that’s why we specialize in addressing each patient’s individual needs.”

Another concern for many people is the appearance of aging. Bawa understands the psychological and emotional importance of looking one’s best. He performs state-of-the-art laser procedures, including Cutera Pearl and Pearl Fractional.

The Pearl Laser, made by Cutera, Inc., is approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration for cosmetic skin resurfacing and fine wrinkle treatment. Bawa notes, “It is similar to a chemical peel in that it helps to get some of the dead skin off the surface; however, there are no nasty chemicals that could cause an allergic reaction. With Pearl treatment, patients experience about three days of downtime, with some peeling skin.”

The Pearl works by delivering pulses of light gently to the epidermis. The laser simultaneously sends heat to the deeper layers of skin to stimulate longer-term collagen growth. A natural protective layer forms on the skin, alleviating the need for wound care. The treated skin will look and feel slightly sunburned. On day three or four, the protective layer will peel away, revealing new, healthy, vibrant skin with a “pearl-like” glow.

The Pearl Fractional Laser is the most advanced fractional laser technology available; it improves photo-damage/photo-aging, tone and texture in just one treatment, resulting in a noticeably smoother, brighter complexion. With this intense but safe laser, only a small percentage of the skin is affected. Pulses place tiny holes deep in the skin, and the columns of damaged tissue are selectively removed, leaving surrounding skin intact. This shortens healing time and stimulates the body’s natural process for creating new collagen, plumping the skin from below and reversing the signs of photo-aging and other imperfections.

The best candidates for Pearl Fractional treatment are patients with light-to-medium skin tones and skin imperfections due to aging and sun damage. Within a week of recovery, dramatic results may be observed, but over the long term, patients will see continued structural changes in their skin, including increased volume and firmness. Maximum results are visible in one to three months.

“Laser treatments can also be combined with other services such as fillers, which are comprised of hyaluronic acid, a compound that naturally occurs in skin, to help fill in lines and creases and reverse the visible appearance of aging,” advises Bawa.

These are just a few of the esthetic services offered by Dr. Bawa and Associates. Above all, Bawa strives to make excellent medical care available to everyone at reasonable prices.

 

Dr. Bawa and Associates is located at 155 Crystal Beach Dr., Ste. 121, Destin; 850-424-7320; 907 Mar Walt Dr., Fort Walton Beach; 850-586-7890; and 45 Sugar Sand Ln., Santa Rosa Beach; 850-534-4170. For more information, visit DrBawa.com.