Dr. Bharat Kothakota, MD, MPH

Media Releases

Get to know Emergency Physician Dr. Bharat Kothakota, who serves patients in Los Angeles, California.

Serving the Los Angeles community, Dr. Kothakota (fondly referred to as “Dr. K” by many of his patients and colleagues) is a board-certified emergency physician specializing in aesthetic injections and procedures. 

Having developed and honed his skill set in aesthetic medicine, he now owns Self Care LA, a boutique aesthetics medical spa in the heart of Santa Monica. He is also the Medical Director of Beyond Harmony Med Spa in Valencia, California, where he strives to perform procedures with the utmost safety and care while delivering exceptionally natural results.

Helping individuals feel empowered and confident, Dr. K and his team at Self Care LA specialize in using the latest energy-based treatments to produce exceptional improvements for the skin and body. They offer options like Clear + Brilliant® fractional treatments, EvolveX body contouring, and CoolSculpting®. Additionally, Self Care LA is the only practice on Montana Avenue to offer Lumecca IPL treatments for pigmentation issues and wrinkles. 

Combining advances in medical technology and expertise, the highly trained team of talented medical professionals at Beyond Harmony Med Spa provide a variety of aesthetic procedures including: Botox and fillers, PDO thread lift, body contouring, laser Lipo, CoolSculpt ® , laser hair removal, laser skin resurfacing, tattoo removal, and more. Their purpose is to enhance each individual’s natural beauty and to give them the confidence that they need and deserve. 

A native of Washington, D.C., Dr. K graduated with his Bachelor of Science degree in Finance from Washington University in St. Louis in 2001. He then went on to complete a Post Baccalaureate program in Pre-Medicine at the University of Maryland in 2004, after which he earned his Master’s degree in International Public Health from George Washington University in 2005.

Furthering his education, he obtained his medical degree from the Howard University College of Medicine in 2009. He then completed his internship in general surgery at Howard University Hospital in 2010, and his residency in emergency medicine at Lincoln Medical & Mental Health Center in 2014 before moving to Los Angeles.

A member of the American College of Emergency Physicians, the doctor is board-certified in emergency medicine by the American Board of Emergency Medicine (ABEM). The ABEM certifies emergency physicians who meet its educational, professional, and examination standards.

Prior to becoming the Medical Director at Self Care LA, Dr. K was the medical director of Sollis Health in Beverly Hills (2021 – 2022), and served as the medical director of the Emergency Room at Olympia Medical Center (2015 – 2021), providing care and stabilizing the sickest of patients that come through his doors. 

As a balance to the fast pace of the ER, he decided to start a career in medical aesthetics because his wife said to him one day, “Can you do my Botox for me?” Subsequently, she became his first patient, and that kicked off his aesthetics career. 

Since then, Dr. K has performed hundreds of procedures and has spent countless hours perfecting his craft in medical aesthetics.

Emergency medicine, also known as trauma and emergency medicine, is the medical specialty concerned with the care of life threatening medical conditions or injuries requiring immediate medical attention. Emergency physicians are trained to care for a wide range of problems that require emergent medical help. These problems are often serious and may be life-threatening. 

In February of 2014, in the Journal of Emergency Medicine, Dr. K published a case report and literature review of a dissecting thoracic aneurysm in a 16-year-old boy presenting to the emergency department.

Working tirelessly to bring the best standards of care to his patients, he attributes his success to thinking outside the box and earning best practices from others.

A few interesting facts about Dr. K are that he is a watch, sneaker, and car enthusiast; prior to going to medical school, he was a consultant for Accenture and worked at the Pentagon; during his studies, he spent a semester in Kenya working on a vaccination program; and his favorite places to vacation are Paris, Hong Kong, and Istanbul; and his hobbies include running, playing tennis, boxing, and hiking. 

In his spare time, he likes to spend time with family and friends, travel, and spend time at Leo Carillo Beach with his dog, Baxter. One can also find him at many of the restaurants on Montana Avenue. 

Recommended Articles

• What Is Epistaxis?

  What is epistaxis?Epistaxis or commonly called a nosebleed is defined as a type of bleeding that occurs from the nostrils, the nasal cavity, or the nasopharynx. Nosebleeds are mostly caused by the rupture of blood vessels inside the nose. Bleeding may be spontaneous or caused by injuries or trauma....

• What Is a Transient Ischemic Attack (TIA)?

  OverviewA transient ischemic attack (TIA) is a mini-stroke, which only lasts for a few minutes. It occurs when blood stops flowing to a part of the brain for a short time. The symptoms of TIA are similar to other symptoms of stroke, but they do not last long, so TIA does not lead to permanent...

• What Is Reye's Syndrome: Causes and Treatments

  What is Reye’s syndrome?Reye's syndrome is a rare but serious condition that can cause swelling of the liver and brain. Even though this condition can occur at any age, it is mostly reported to affect children and teenagers, especially those who are trying to recover from viral infections, such as...

• Facts About Meningitis Vaccines

  IntroductionThe only way to prevent serious and life-threatening diseases such as meningitis is through vaccination. Meningitis can also be caused by viral, bacterial, and fungal infections. The infection usually affects the meninges or membranes that enclose the brain and spinal cord. Although...

• What Is Cat Scratch Fever?

  IntroductionCat scratch fever or cat scratch disease is a bacterial infection spread by cats. You can get the cat scratch fever from a scratch or bite of a cat that is infected with the bacterium called Bartonella henselae. Aside from the infected cat’s scratch, you can also acquire the infection...

• What Are Ketones?

  Almost every cell in the body has a primary source of energy, which is usually glucose. However, when the body doesn't have enough glucose, the liver responds by producing chemicals known as ketones, converting stored fatty acids into ketone bodies. Ketones are used as a backup fuel source when...