Being Grateful for the Health You Have

One of the best parts of being part of ANTIDOTE is connecting with people who share our passion for personal care, self-confidence, and vitality. 

We loved our time with Dr. Shamila Gupta Rawal so much that we wanted to re-share highlights from our conversation.  

One thing that she said has really stayed with us, "be grateful for the health you have."

We especially connected with her holistic approach to health, wellness, and beauty, and her inspiring message about taking charge of our own well-being.

She shared with us, “I am a strong believer in tapping into nature’s bounty to heal our bodies, both externally and internally.  I practice medicine from a holistic approach and strive to empower my patients to take a leadership role in their own rejuvenation process.” 

Shamila is a heavyweight - a board-certified otolaryngologist/head and neck surgeon, specializing in the management of hair loss and rejuvenation of the face and neck at The Rawal Institute for Hair Restoration and Aesthetic Medicine.

Dr. Rawal graduated with a Bachelor of Science magna cum laude in biomedical engineering from Northwestern University’s McCormick School of Engineering. She continued her studies at Northwestern University’s Feinberg School of Medicine, and following medical school, she entered the otolaryngology/head and neck surgery residency program at the University of Illinois. As a senior resident, she received recognition for her outstanding work and was presented with the Alpha Omega Alpha teaching award.

And did we mention that she's also warm and down to earth?  Here's more of what she had to say:

Describe your approach to health (for you and your clients)?  I practice medicine from a holistic approach and strive to empower my patients to take a leadership role in their own hair restoration and skin rejuvenation process.  Everything I do at The Rawal Institute is a slow, continuous partnership, driven by my patient’s goals and desires, but informed at every step by a thorough education by myself and my staff. 

Why do you use ANTIDOTE products?  I have my own medical-grade skincare line which is produced from all natural, plant-based ingredients and is rich in antioxidants, stem cell boosters, and skin barrier repair agents, to prevent, repair and protect the skin from environmental and stress-induced damage.  ANTIDOTE products are made with a similar philosophy and ingredients, so they are a natural complement to the vision we have here at The Rawal Institute.  The best part of ANTIDOTE products are the absence of harsh chemicals, the fact that they are customizable to a variety of hair types and scalp conditions, and honestly, my hair smells and feels so great after using them.

What is your favorite ANTIDOTE product?  My favorite ANTIDOTE products are the Rosemary Shampoo and also the Jojoba Conditioner!.  The Rosemary Shampoo is an excellent clarifying shampoo, with apple cider vinegar, that helps promote strength in hair growth.  For my patients who suffer from hair thinning or loss, and even the ones on whom I have performed a hair transplant, it is an excellent shampoo to boost health and wellness of the follicles.

Favorite hair or wellness tip? My favorite tip for both hair and wellness is: LOVE being who you are and be grateful for the health you have.  I love helping my patients reach their goals of optimizing their skin and hair health, but I do so within the constraints of what is naturally theirs.  I don’t do the “freeze face” or anything phony.  I want my patients to leave feeling like the best version of themselves.  My practice motto is:  You…refreshed.

How did you get into the industry? I am a Board-Certified Otolaryngologist/Head and Neck Surgeon with advanced training in facial aesthetics and hair restoration.  At my practice, The Rawal Institute for Hair Restoration and Aesthetic Medicine, I have many patients asking for my recommendations for products to enhance their hair growth and reverse skin aging as complements to the various procedural treatments I offer. 

Your favorite vegetable is… Ooh, this is a hard one, because I love ALL of them!  If I really had to choose, I would say zucchini.  It is such a versatile veggie: grill it, sauté it, make zoodles out of it, and my favorite-bake it into a cake!!

Learn more about Dr. Shamila Rawal here.

We hope the you enjoyed meeting Dr. Rawal as much as we did!

Abigail + David