Her Story
About Desiree
Dr. Desiree Eakin is a board-certified physician, speaker, and women’s wellness advocate specializing in integrative and functional medicine, hormone optimization, metabolic health, brain health, and aesthetic medicine. As the founder and Chief Medical Officer of Total Illusion Aesthetic & Wellness Center in Seal Beach, California, she is dedicated to helping women achieve optimal health through personalized, evidence-based care. Her signature "Look Deeper" method takes a comprehensive, whole-person approach, identifying the interconnected factors that influence health and empowering patients to regain vitality, confidence, and long-term wellness.
Dr. Eakin began her medical career in pediatrics, serving at one of the nation’s leading children's hospitals, where she was inspired daily by the resilience of her young patients and their families. Over time, personal experiences and witnessing similar health challenges among colleagues led her to recognize the limitations of conventional medicine in addressing chronic symptoms and quality-of-life concerns. This realization inspired her transition into integrative and functional medicine, allowing her to combine traditional medical expertise with innovative approaches to hormone health, metabolism, neuromodulation, regenerative aesthetics, and lifestyle medicine. In addition to caring for patients, she serves as a clinical instructor for Kaiser Permanente and the Keck School of Medicine at USC, helping educate the next generation of physicians.
Beyond her clinical practice, Dr. Eakin is a passionate educator and national speaker committed to advancing women's health and transforming the conversation around aging, confidence, and preventive care. She regularly speaks on topics including hormone health, mental wellness, and whole-person healing, encouraging women to advocate for themselves and embrace lasting wellness from the inside out. She also serves as Vice President of the Children's Benefit League of Long Beach, supporting philanthropic initiatives that improve the lives of children. Guided by a commitment to compassionate care, lifelong learning, and medical innovation, Dr. Eakin continues to inspire both patients and healthcare professionals to look beyond symptoms and pursue health with purpose and confidence.
Her Interview
Ten minutes with Desiree
01What’s the best career advice you’ve ever received?
Trust in yourself. Be you. Always remain true to you. Don't try to base your practice on someone else, and don't do things just because they're trendy.
02What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
We never stop learning. Just because we have the MD or board certification doesn't mean the education stops. We have to give the best care to our patients by continuing to have that thirst for knowledge.
03What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?
Lack of ongoing education among colleagues and difficulty working as a team with primary care physicians who are overwhelmed, leading to issues like getting necessary labs ordered such as insulin levels for patients.
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