Santa Monica Laser Hair Removal in Los Angeles| Yelp Reviews

In our office, all laser hair removal services are performed by a physician or a registered nurse. Laser hair removal can be performed on men and women on any part of the body including laser hair removal of the face and neck, chest, arms, underarms, legs, and bikini area. We are the laser hair removal experts in Los Angeles. In fact, Dr. Karamanoukian was featured on the hit medical television series, The Doctors, for his approach to laser hair removal.

Laser hair removal is an effective treatment to permanently reduce or eliminate unwanted hair on the face, body, or bikini line. The laser uses a technique called photothermolysis, which uses a specialized laser system to heat up and burn unwanted hair follicles. After several treatments, unwanted hair is usually weakened and often eliminated. Laser hair removal systems can be used on men and women of all skin complexions with minimal risk. The procedure may take as little as one minute to perform, depending on the quantity of hair and the area covered. The laser hair removal system at our office employs a cooling spray to minimize pain and avoids the need for anesthetic creams altogether. All procedures are performed by an experienced physician and we have performed laser hair removal successfully on over 5,000 patients.

We specialize on male and female laser hair removal. Unlike medi-spas and laser hair removal clinics located in quaint shopping malls, our office performs all procedures in a professional medical setting with physicians, not nurses or ancillary staff. After all, this is your body and you deserve the best. We invite you to our office for a complementary consultation in Santa Monica to discuss your options for laser hair removal. Yag laser for hair removal. Remove unwanted hair on the lips, chin, face, body, and bikini area.

Our Laser Hair Removal Clinic has been featured on www.yelp.com and has received excellent reviews by our patients. We use the Gentle Yag system for laser hair removal and our specific protocols for unwanted hair is unmatched for all skin types. If you have a darker complexion, we can safely perform laser hair removal on your skin.

Laser Hair Removal FAQ:

Should I shave before laser hair removal? We typically ask patients to not shave for about 5 days prior to laser hair removal. Definitely do not wax or pluck the unwanted hairs. Laser hair removal works directly on the follicle itself, so we typically like to see the most proximal base of the shaft to gauge the degree of photothermolysis.

How effective is laser hair removal on darker skin types and ethnic skin?Laser Hair Removal should be immediately effective regardless of skin type. The laser hair removal system targets the pigment in the hair follicle and causes photothermolysis, wherein the laser heat permanently damages the hair follicle.

In many cases of laser hair removal, the hair follicle is resilient and not completely destroyed. This may occur for many reasons including:

hair density
color of hair
thickness of hair follicle and shaft
wavelength of laser treatment
type of laser used
hormonal influences

If you have not received considerable skin clearance after four or five consecutive sessions spaced regularly apart, consider reassessing your laser treatment with your physician, including switching to a different wavelength of laser, setting, or interval of treatment.

Success in laser hair removal is really based on the experience of the physician treating you. I have personally had very effective responses in short intervals using the Candela Gentle Yag for ethnic skin types, including African American, South Asian, and Hispanic skin. The myth of ethnic skin and laser hair removal not being safe is absolutely wrong.

Laser Hair Removal FAQ:

Laser Hair Removal is a very effective procedure designed to remove unwanted facial and body hair. Our office is located in Los Angeles and provides laser hair removal treatments in a comfortable, professional, and ethical manner. Dr. Karamanoukian is an expert on laser hair removal and has been featured on the popular television series, The Doctors, for his approach to laser hair removal.

Pricing? The efficacy of laser hair removal depends on the depth and intensity of treatment. Our office is committed to being the premier destination for laser hair removal in Los Angeles. Our guarantee is that we will provide the best medical care at a reasonable cost. Every month, we offer laser hair removal specials to our new and existing patients. If you have a special offer from another facility, we will gladly match the price and provide superior quality of service.

Where is your office? Our office is a multispecialty clinic devoted to plastic surgery, cosmetic dermatology, and laser hair removal. We are located in Santa Monica, California at the St. John's Hospital Medical Plaza located at 1301 20th Street, Suite 240. The building is located at the intersection of Arizona and 20th Street. For a consultation, please contact our office at (310) 998-5533 or email us a question at spakare@yahoo.com.

Why should a patient choose Kare Plastic Surgery for laser hair removal? Our office has had tremendous success with laser hair removal with the absolute lowest complication profile in the country. The most important reason why our clinic is superior to other laser hair removal centers is that we are a professional medical office with vast experience in laser hair removal. Unlike medspas and other laser clinics, you will undergo a careful and thorough medical history by a physician who will perform and monitor your treatments every step of the way. Our office will always maintain the highest standards of ethical, professional, and medical care. This is your body, why choose anything less than the best?

Are there different types of laser hair removal? Laser hair removal has been evolving since 1996 and there are various modes of treatment with laser or light based on the frequency of energy used. Unfortunately, many of the older generation lasers are still in use in the community. Our office is dedicated to your safety and we use one of the newest and most effective lasers approved by the FDA in the United States.

What type of laser system do you offer for laser hair removal? Our results with laser hair removal have been phenomenal. We employ a 1064 nm Candela Gentle Yag system with a cooling spray. Our experience with this laser system has been superior to any other laser on the market. The 1064 nm laser is superior to other laser hair removal systems for all skin complexions.

Does a physician perform the Laser Hair Removal treatments? Yes. Dr. Raffy Karamanoukian is an authority on laser hair removal. On your first consultation, he will evaluate your skin and hair to determine a suitable laser hair removal regimen for you. At this time, you will be able to ask questions about laser hair removal, including length of treatment, interval of treatment, and expected results.

How many laser hair removal treatments have you performed? Our physician, Dr. Raffy Karamanoukian, is a board certified plastic surgeon who has performed over 6,000 laser treatments without complication. He has a very thorough screening process and procedural protocol for laser hair removal. African American, Hispanic, Asian, and Caucasian patients with excessive hair can be treated safely and effectively in a professional medical environment.

Will Laser Hair Removal Work on Blonde Hair? Laser hair removal works on the pigment contained within hair follicles. Most laser hair treatments focus on melanin contained within the hair follicle and thus work preferentially on black or brown hair. Blonde hair and red hair is less responsive to the laser light. In many cases, there is enough melanin contained within blonde or red hair to effect a positive response with laser hair removal.

What areas can be treated with laser hair removal? Laser hair removal is the gold standard for hair removal. It is commonly performed in both men and women. The most common treatment areas include the upper lip, chin, neck, arms, legs, and bikini area. After a single treatment, most patients prefer laser hair removal over waxing, threading, and electrolysis. Laser hair removal of the bikini is the gold standard over bikini waxing.

Is laser hair removal different from electrolysis? Yes. Laser hair removal treats quarter sized areas of hair with each pulse of the laser, unlike electrolysis which treats individual hairs. Laser hair removal also permanently removes hair whereas electrolysis is less likely to do so.

Do you prefer diode or Nd-Yag laser for hair removal? Our office performs laser hair removal with an Nd-Yag laser. We have chosen this laser because of its high safety profile for Caucasian, Asian, Black, and Hispanic skin types. If you are considering laser hair removal, the Gentle Yag system will acheive optimal results in permanently reducing hair.

Can I have laser hair removal performed on my underarms? Armpit/Underarm laser hair removal. Although laser hair removal can be safely performed on any area of the body, removal of unwanted underarm hair continues to be among the top two most popular hair removal treatments. The procedure takes as little as two minutes to perform and is highly popular in both men and women. One reason why underarm laser hair removal is so popular is that it is used to treat a variety of medical conditions affecting the armpit. These conditions include hyperhidrosis, or excessive sweating, body odor, ingrown hairs, and mild forms of hidradenitis suppurativa. In many cases, the hair follicles can be associated with accessory eccrine (sweat) glands and destroying the hair follicles and associated gland may provide symptomatic relief.

More commonly, laser hair removal of the armpit is peformed for cosmetic reasons and hygeine. Men and women routinely under hair removal in the underarms. Typically, three to five treatments are needed.

How many laser hair removal sessions will I need? The number of laser hair treatments necessary to permanently remove hair depends on a number of different factors, including hormonal factors, density of hair, thickness of hair, type of laser used, color of the hair, and most importantly, the experience of the treating physician. Typically, most non-hormonally influenced hairs will be permanently removed with 3 to 6 treatments. Dr. Raffy Karamanoukian will examine your hair and provide you with an approximate estimate at the time of your consultation.

I have had several laser sessions at another facility. Can I resume my treatments at your office? Laser hair removal is a medical procedure that should be performed by an experienced professional. If you are unhappy with the progress of your current treatment, you should consider resuming your care in a more professional environment. We have dozens of active patients who have switched from a med-spa to our office to complete their laser hair removal.

I have acne. Can I do laser hair removal? In fact, the acne may improve with laser hair removal. In many cases, ingrown hairs and folliculitis can worsen acne. Laser hair removal may actually remove some of the responsible follicles that are worsening your acne problem. If you have a hormonal type acne, Dr. Karamanoukian can evaluate your skin and recommend topical medications.

I have rosacea. Can I do laser hair removal? Yes. Laser hair removal can be safely performed on the facial skin in patients with rosacea of the face.

Can laser hair removal cause scarring? Permanent discoloration or scar is extremely rare with laser hair removal. Of most importance in avoiding complications is communication with your physician. Our office maintains a preprocedural protocol to minimize hyperpigmentation and scarring with laser hair removal.

What is photoepilation? Photoepilation is the technical terminology for laser hair removal. The science behind laser hair removal is simple: Laser light energy is directed at the skin and hair. Once the laser energy reaches the hair follicles, the melanin contained in the hair follicles absorb the energy and heat up. This causes destruction of the follicle.

Can I do microdermabrasion with my laser hair removal? Yes. However, not all microdermabrasion systems are the same and you should consult with Dr. Karamanoukian before you proceed with any particular microdermabrasion system. In our office, we use the Hydrafacial microdermabrasion system and the diamond microdermabrasion system alongside laser hair removal. However, we would not advise aggressive microdermabrasion or crystal based systems. Ask Dr. Karamanoukian, our aesthetician, or cosmetic nurse for specific recommendations.

Can I purchase a series of treatments at your office? Yes. If you are a candidate for laser hair removal, you may purchase a series of treatments to receive a special discount on the price of individual laser hair removal sessions.

Is laser hair removal safe on Black / African American skin? Dr. Karamanoukian has extensive experience in laser hair removal for darker skin complexions. The Gentle Yag laser can be used safely on all skin types, including Black skin. On your first consultation, Dr. Karamanoukian will perform a spot test on your skin and recommend a safe laser hair removal program for you. Routinely, laser hair removal can be performed safely on facial and body hair in Black patients.

I am Indian / South-Asian. Can I still do laser hair removal safely with my skin tone? Absolutely. We have many patients that have a darker skin tone. Rest assured that Dr. Raffy Karamanoukian will evaluate your skin color, hair thickness, and density before prescribing a treatment regimen based on your individual genetics. Dr. Karamanoukian has treated thousands of patients with laser hair removal with outstanding success. If you have additional melasma or skin hyperpigmentation, discuss these issues with Dr. Karamanoukian so that they can also be treated alongside the laser hair removal.

Will laser hair removal work on curly, coarse hair? Laser hair removal works exceptionally well on coarse or curly hair that is pigmented. The shape of the hair is less an issue as the thickness and color.

Is there downtime after laser hair removal? Downtime is minimal after laser hair removal. Many patients in Santa Monica and the Westside perform laser hair removal on their lunch hour. If you are on a time constraint, please make arrangements with the front desk and call ahead so that we can immediately accomodate your request.

Can my boyfriend have laser hair removal on his nose and ears? Laser hair removal can be performed on almost any part of the body. Quite surprisingly, laser hair removal of the outer nose hairs and ears are quite requested quite commonly. The treatment may require several sessions for permanent results. Laser hair removal of the ears and nose, however, requires the expertise of a physician to minimize the risk of complications.

If I have sensitive skin, can I have laser hair removal?

How long after bikini waxing can I have laser hair removal? After waxing, it takes anywhere from 4 to 6 weeks for the hair follicles to regrow. Since laser hair removal works directly on the hair follicle, it will not work on the skin until the hair follicles have regrown. When performing laser hair removal, we recommend patients to wait 6 weeks after bikini waxing to perform laser hair removal. During this time, schedule an appointment with Dr. Karamanoukian to discuss your options and candidacy for laser hair removal.

How long is a typical laser hair removal session?

Does laser hair removal hurt more than waxing? Laser hair removal works by directing a laser light on your skin and hair follicles. With each laser pulse, a quarter size area of hair is destroyed. The feeling is much like plucking your hair...a little stinging that goes away in a second or two. Patients complain more about the heat than the pain itself. Our office uses an advanced cooling spray attached to the laser that minimizes pain. If you are still worried, remember that we are a medical office committed to your safety and healthy. We would be happy to apply prescription strength numbing creams before the procedure to keep pain to a minimum. Unlike waxing, though, the laser treatments can be paced during the treatment so that you feel more comfortable.

Can the doctor prescribe topical numbing creams before laser hair removal? Topical lidocaine and other topical numbing medications can be used safely before laser hair removal. You should inform the office if you have any history of heart disease or seizure disorders as these may be a contraindication to using the creams. If you would like to use topical numbing creams before your treatment, please arrive 30 minutes before your laser hair removal session.