Blog

woman receiving laser hair removal on her underarm

Laser hair removal is one of the most popular non-invasive cosmetic procedures performed today. It can be used on pretty much any area where you’d like to stop having to regularly shave, wax, tweeze, or apply depilatory cream. It has several advantages over other hair removal methods, ranging from eliminating stubble, skin irritation, razor burn, and ingrown hairs. It can help stop the hyperpigmentation that those with dark complexions can be prone to. But its big advantage is that it can provide a permanent solution by preventing hair regrowth and with it the need to regularly repeat the hair removal process.

Progressive Hair Removal

Laser hair removal uses the same principle wherever it’s used – energy from focused laser light pulses is used to heat up and damage individual hair follicles in the area being treated. All hair follicles go through periodic cycles where they grow and then lay dormant. Laser pulses only have the desired effect on hair follicles that are in their growth phase, and hence several treatments are needed to effectively treat all hair follicles in a given area.

Treated hairs don’t immediately fall out following treatment – they’re shed gradually in the days following each session. Some hairs may re-grow after falling out, but typically much finer and lighter-colored than before. As sessions are repeated, this re-growth slows and eventually stops altogether.

Underarm Hair Removal

Using laser hair removal under-arm is very similar to using it on other body parts. You may find that your under-arm hair is coarser than other parts of your body, and your armpit skin may be more sensitive and irritation-prone than other areas. You’ll find that laser hair removal will, over time, substantially reduce or eliminate this irritation.

Your practitioner will supply you with a list of several ways to prepare for the procedure, including avoiding using cosmetics, deodorants, and other lotions or creams immediately before treatment. You’ll need to avoid direct sun exposure for several weeks beforehand, as well as stopping using any artificial tanning products. You’ll be asked to shave the area being treated the day before treatment.

Underarms can be quite sensitive, and the laser light pulses can be uncomfortable. Your practitioner will use various techniques to minimize this discomfort, ranging from anesthetic sprays or lotions to the use of cooling jets or pads that numb the area being treated.

In common with laser hair removal in other areas, several laser removal sessions will be needed to permanently stop hair re-growth. You should expect to see increasingly fine hair re-growth after your initial sessions, as each hair removal procedure affects progressively more of the hair follicles.

Choose Your Practitioner with Care

Although the laser hair removal procedure is straightforward, it will pay you to carefully research who you use to perform the procedure. Lasers, although relatively simple to use, can be misused by inexperienced practitioners. You risk not only having to repeat the procedure more than necessary but also unnecessary irritation, burns or even scarring in the hands of inexperienced or inadequately trained practitioners.

Your Laser Skin Care

Your Laser Skin Care practitioners are medically qualified and highly experienced in performing laser hair removal procedures. We can provide expert advice on the best techniques to address your particular situation and will be happy to answer any questions or concerns you have. We also have extensive experience with a wide variety of other non-invasive cosmetic procedures and can help you choose the safest, most effective, and most cost-effective way to achieve your cosmetic goals. Call us at (323) 525-1516 to schedule a free consultation, or visit us online for more information.

Woman wearing sunscreen at the beach avoiding sunspots and sun damage

Sunspots are a common type of skin discoloration, typically indicating that excessive exposure to the sun’s UV rays has resulted in skin cell damage accompanied by uneven concentrations of skin pigmentation. They should not be confused with freckles, which are also associated with UV rays exposure but tend to fade when the UV exposure ends.

Lighter-complexions are more susceptible to developing sunspots, but there’s also a genetic component – some people are simply more likely to develop them than others.

Minimizing Sun Exposure

At the risk of stating the obvious, the best way to reduce your chances of developing sunspots is to reduce your exposure to excessive sunlight. You should avoid not only direct high-intensity sunlight but also lower-intensity sunlight, even on cloud-covered days. The UV light that causes sunspots is present on sunny and on cloudy days and can also be intensified when reflected off surfaces such as water, snow, or sand.

Minimizing sun exposure is best achieved by applying a high-SPF rated sunscreen, in combination with wearing sun visors (or loosely fitting hats), sunglasses, and by ensuring that vulnerable body areas are covered by clothing.

Overheated skin is also more likely to develop sunspots, even without direct sunlight exposure. You can use ice, cool water, and even frozen food bags to cool your skin if it’s uncomfortably hot. Water sprays are a particularly effective way to cool down quickly.

Applying Skin Protection

Basic high-SPF sunscreen products are highly recommended, but some products also contain antioxidants that can help to counteract some of the damaging effects of sunlight. Hydrating skin products should also be used to help minimize skin damage – hyaluronic acid-based products are particularly effective at counteracting the dehydrating effects of sun and heat exposure. Some products also combine skin moisturizers with high-SPF sunscreen protection. Your doctor or dermatologist should be able to provide advice on the best product for your skin type and lifestyle.

And if you use sunscreen and/or moisturizer, don’t forget that they need to be re-applied regularly during the day.

Healthy Diet Options

Eating a balanced and healthy diet is, of course, a great idea, whether or not you spend any time in the sun. But there’s some evidence that eating a nutritious diet that contains a variety of antioxidants can also improve your body’s ability to resist and recover from damage caused by excessive sunlight exposure.

Skin Damage Repair

Aloe Vera is a natural product that has been used for generations as a way to help maintain healthy skin, as well as assisting it to recover from damage caused by too much sunlight. It can help reduce discomfort caused by sunburn, as well as dry or irritated skin caused by other irritants.

Your Laser Skin Care

Your Laser Skin Care practitioners are medically qualified and highly experienced in performing non-invasive cosmetic procedures to treat sunspots and other skin imperfections. These can include laser and/or pulsed light treatments and a variety of chemical peels. We can provide expert advice on the best techniques to address your particular situation and will be happy to answer any questions or concerns you have. We also have extensive experience with a wide variety of other non-invasive cosmetic procedures and can help you choose the safest, most effective, and most cost-effective way to achieve your cosmetic goals. Call us at (323) 525-1516 to schedule a free consultation, or visit us online for more information.

woman showing off her body after laser hair removal

Laser hair removal is a highly effective and simple way to achieve long-term hair removal. However, due to the use of precisely tuned laser light pulses, there are a few precautions you should take prior to the procedure to maximize the benefits and minimize any chance of complications.

For at Least Two Weeks Beforehand

Avoid direct sun exposure to the area being treated and any artificial tanning products and UV tanning beds. Apply sunscreen every day, regardless of the weather. The sunscreen should ideally be at least SPF 30.

Avoid any other cosmetic procedures on the area to be treated during this period, including Botox, dermal fillers, and chemical peels. Also, avoid using any abrasive skincare products.

For Two or Three Days Before Treatment

Avoid the use of creams and lotions containing compounds that might increase your sensitivity to light. Ingredients to be avoided include salicylic acid, benzoyl peroxide, retinol, and hydroxy acids.

The Day Before

The area to be treated should be completely shaved 24 hours beforehand. It’s important to avoid any other hair removal products or techniques, such as chemical hair removal products, as well as waxing or pulling hair out. This is to ensure that hair follicles (which will be targeted by the laser light pulses during the procedure) are not damaged before treatment. It’s a great idea to also try to get a full night’s sleep before the treatment as a way to help reduce your stress level the day of your treatment.

On the Day of the Procedure

Shower thoroughly, but avoid any and all creams, perfumes, lotions, deodorants, powders, and cosmetics. Ensure that you drink plenty of water during the day – this may also help reduce your pain sensitivity. It may also be a good idea to avoid coffee or tea beforehand, as caffeine can lower your pain threshold. Your practitioner may also recommend that you use medications before treatment to minimize the pain later on. This could include pain killers, numbing creams, or antihistamines.

During the Procedure

The practitioner will review your recent medical history and verify that you’ve avoided using any proscribed products immediately before treatment. Then, they’ll review the proposed treatment and will probably verify that your expectations are reasonable, and that you understand that hair loss will be progressive after treatment, and that several procedures will probably be required.

Depending on the areas being treated, they may supply protective eyewear, as well as ensuring that all body areas not being treated are shielded from any stray light. They will also normally use one or more techniques to minimize any pain or discomfort. This may include taking mild pain killers before treatment, applying numbing cream or lotion, and/or using an ice pack to numb the skin. 

Your Laser Skin Care

Your Laser Skin Care practitioners are medically qualified and highly experienced in performing laser hair removal procedures. We provide expert advice on the best techniques to address your particular concerns and will be happy to answer any questions or concerns you have about the procedure and how best to prepare for it. We also have extensive experience with a wide variety of non-invasive cosmetic procedures. We can help you choose the safest, most effective, and most cost-effective way to achieve your cosmetic goals. Call us at (323) 525-1516 to schedule a free consultation, or visit us online for more information.

man getting botox
While Botox is still predominantly used by women, its use by men has been steadily growing in recent years. Indeed, Botox is now the single most popular cosmetic procedure for men. Not only that, but we see a very diverse group of men attracted to the procedure.
Of course, the same benefits from Botox are available to men and women, but men and women may have somewhat different objectives in mind when considering the procedure.

Maintaining a Youthful Look

The primary motivation for getting Botox is the desire to look young for as long as possible. Botox helps achieve this by removing or minimizing the lines and wrinkles that often accompany aging – it can also soften the general complexion, resulting in a more relaxed, rested look. Botox can help to achieve a smoother forehead which contributes to a more youthful look, especially for men with receding hairlines, or who are bald. It’s also widely used to treat “crow’s feet” – the deep lines that can develop in the corners of the eyes. Botox can also be used to minimize smile lines that can extend from the sides of the nose downwards, although many men are not concerned if they develop this facial feature.
Men typically carry more muscle mass and consequently may require larger doses of Botox than women do to achieve the desired results. Men also typically prefer lower-maintenance procedures than women are prepared to accept, and are more likely to try to maximize the periods between Botox treatments.
We also see younger men, who may not have actually developed significant facial wrinkles, looking to use Botox proactively, as a way to prevent these wrinkles from forming in the future.

Reduced Sweating

Botox can be used in many body areas to help stop excessive sweating. In this case, it’s used to paralyze the sweat glands that cause the unwanted sweat. It can help reduce the unwanted moisture, as well as the sometimes objectionable odor that accompanies it.

Muscle Relaxant

Botox is not only used to treat facial lines – its use as a muscle relaxer also allows it to be used to treat a number of muscle-related disorders, including involuntary twitching and muscle stiffness.

Chronic Headaches

Botox has been shown to be effective as a way to block the transfer of pain signals – it’s particularly useful as a way to reduce the severity and frequency of migraine headaches.

Minimal Recovery Period

The absence of any significant recovery period after treatment is also generally seen as a major plus with Botox. While there is a small chance of minimal side effects after treatment, these are typically confined to some redness, minor swelling, and occasional minimal bruising. Post-procedure precautions include avoiding rubbing the treated area, and avoiding alcohol, painkillers, and vigorous exercise for a day or so after treatment. This allows an almost immediate return to normal activities afterward.

High Satisfaction Rate

Partly due to the rapid speed with which results become apparent, coupled with the minimal or short-duration side effects, Botox has a very high satisfaction rate among male patients.

Your Laser Skin Care

Your Laser Skin Care practitioners are medically qualified and highly experienced in the use of Botox for cosmetic purposes. We provide expert advice on the best techniques to address your particular concerns and will be happy to answer any questions or concerns you may have about our procedures. We also have extensive experience with a wide variety of non-invasive cosmetic procedures and can help you choose the safest, most effective, and most cost-effective way to achieve your cosmetic goals. Call us at (323) 525-1516 to schedule a free consultation, or visit us online for more information.
Beautiful gorgeous mid aged mature woman looking at camera after botox
Botox procedures are relatively straightforward, involving the judicious injections of Botox into the particular muscles that need to be relaxed to eliminate the lines and wrinkles being treated. Despite this, to get the best results it’s important to follow the instructions that your practitioner asks you to follow after each treatment. Although these instructions may vary, they typically include the following do’s and don’ts.

Avoid Massaging the Treated Area

You should avoid rubbing or massaging the treated area for about 24 hours after treatment. This includes resisting the temptation to touch the treated area, and certainly means avoiding anything more energetic, such as a facial. The main concern is the possibility that some of the injected Botox might migrate to untreated parts of the face, possibly resulting in unwanted muscle weakness in these areas. This side-effect is unlikely, but easily avoided by following this advice.
Although in theory it’s ok to apply powdered makeup right after treatment, it’s important not to massage the makeup into the skin for at least 24 hours after treatment. If possible, just avoid all makeup for the first day.

Avoid Vigorous Exercises

Try to maintain a normal heart rate, and avoid vigorous exercises that might boost your pulse or blood pressure. In other words, just take it easy for the rest of the day.

Avoid Lying Down

Try to stay upright for at least 4 hours after treatment, and especially avoid lying on your face. Doing so could cause blood to pool, which could in turn result in the swelling of the treated area. The objective is to minimize the swelling, and avoid accidently rubbing your face, which risks causing the Botox to migrate away from its intended area.
Some doctors advise trying to sleep on your back the night after a treatment – again trying to avoid moving Botox around if you move too much during the first night.

Avoid Tight Headwear

Don’t wear anything tight across the forehead – in general try to avoid wearing anything that might apply pressure to the treated area, including headbands.

Avoid Alcohol or Strong Painkillers

It’s best to avoid anything that might thin your blood, as well as any anti-inflammatory painkillers and alcohol for 24 to 48 hours after treatment. Your skin might bruise immediately after Botox treatment, and alcohol or painkillers will increase the chance of this happening. Dizziness is an occasional side-effect of a Botox treatment, and drinking alcohol can make this more likely.

Your Laser Skin Care

Your Laser Skin Care practitioners are medically qualified, and highly experienced in the use of Botox for cosmetic purposes. We provide expert advice on the best techniques to address your particular concerns, and will be happy to answer any questions or concerns you may have about our procedures. We also have extensive experience with a wide variety of non-invasive cosmetic procedures and can help you choose the safest, most effective, and most cost-effective way to achieve your cosmetic goals. Call us at (323) 525-1516 to schedule a free consultation, or visit us online for more information.
woman getting botox in her jaw
It’s widely known that Botox can be used to reduce or eliminate lines and wrinkles in the forehead and around the eyes by relaxing the facial muscles that cause the wrinkles. Botox is actually a very mild neurotoxin which can be diluted and injected into muscles – it works by blocking the transmission of signals along the nerves that would otherwise cause muscles to contract. This nerve signal blocking typically lasts three to four months after treatment, although some patients report shorter or longer duration effects. The procedure has to be periodically repeated if patients want the benefits to continue over the longer term. It’s also not uncommon for an initial Botox treatment to last somewhat less time than subsequent treatments do.
Because Botox is an effective way to block muscular nerve signals, it is also an effective way to relieve muscular pain. Botox has been used to treat nerve and muscle-related conditions for many years, and its use for non-cosmetic purposes continues to expand. Botox is particularly useful as an effective way to treat jaw-related pain.

Relief of Jaw Pain

Botox can be used to selectively immobilize some of the jaw muscles that can be the cause of pain or tension in the jaw. Overdeveloped or overworked muscles are often the cause of these symptoms – particularly in patients who habitually clench or grind their teeth. The jaw muscles are not completely paralyzed – they are only partially affected, just enough to relieve the pain.

Relief of TMJ

TMJ syndrome occurs when the temporomandibular joint (the connection between the jawbone and the skull) becomes injured and/or inflamed. TMJ is also normally caused by grinding or clenching the teeth, but can also be caused by arthritis in the joint, or by dislocation of the articulated disc and rupture of the ligaments that are also part of the joint. TMJ can cause pain and discomfort, prevent the normal functioning of the jaw, as well as causing a wide range of other symptoms, including regular or migraine headaches, ringing in the ears, and neck or shoulder pain.
Botox can contribute to temporarily reducing overuse of the jaw muscles, in turn removing the primary cause of TMJ, and allowing inflamed tissue time to heal. In extreme cases it can also be used over longer time scales to prevent TMJ from reappearing.

Your Laser Skin Care

Your Laser Skin Care practitioners are medically qualified, and highly experienced in using Botox for cosmetic and pain-relief purposes. We can provide expert advice on the best techniques to address your particular concerns, and will be happy to answer any questions or concerns you may have about our procedures. We also have extensive experience with a wide variety of non-invasive cosmetic procedures, and can help you choose the safest, most effective, and most cost-effective way to achieve your cosmetic goals. Call us at (323) 525-1516 to schedule a free consultation, or visit us online for more information.
laser hair removal

One of the more outlandish ideas currently circulating on TikTok is the full-face hot-wax facial treatment. It’s being advocated as a safe and beneficial quick-and-easy way to remove all unwanted hair in one fell swoop. If you hear warning bells ringing, and the thought that maybe that’s not the best way to achieve the smooth, hairless look comes into your mind, then well done – your intuition is right. Here are just some of the reasons why.

What Exactly is a Full-Face Hot-Wax Treatment?

The technique varies, but essentially involves inserting breathing straws into the nose, and covering the entire face with hot wax or resin. Some videos also show wax placed inside the ears and nostrils; some show wax covering the entire area from the forehead down to the neck. The wax is eventually pulled off, along with most (or all) hair from the treated area.

Waxing Areas that Should Not be Waxed

Skin surrounding the eyes is thin and easily damaged – not least by the application of hot wax. This skin also risks being torn when the cooled wax is aggressively stripped off after cooling.

The skin lining the nostrils and ears is also easily damaged, and should never have hot wax applied to it. There’s the danger that some wax particles will remain inside after removal – this can cause infection, and might even need to be surgically removed afterwards.

Obstructed Breathing

Obviously covering one’s nose can obstruct breathing, even if precautions have been taken to insert breathing straws. It’s also possible to inhale small wax particles left inside the nostrils. Doctors have warned about the danger of asphyxiation if the person performing the procedure is untrained or inexperienced.

Waxing Large Skin Areas is a Bad Idea

Applying hot wax to large areas of skin and then removing it risks over-exfoliating the skin, leaving it raw, unprotected, and vulnerable to subsequent infection. Small pimples or pus-filled bumps can easily result from the over-enthusiastic application of hot wax to sensitive areas. The act of applying heated wax is also risky – it’s quite easy to burn the sensitive skin on and around the face. Scarring is also a potential problem when hot wax is applied to sensitive skin areas. Removing the wax requires skill to prevent bruising or even bleeding, and over-aggressive wax application can easily lead to skin abrasions, scratches, laceration, or worse.

“It’s Not Bad For Your Skin”

This phrase has been used as a way to characterize the process, but the question we think you should instead be asking is whether any part of the procedure is good for the skin. Some people will have the procedure performed by untrained or insufficiently trained “beauticians”, while others may even be tempted to perform the procedure on themselves. As should by now be obvious, we think there are a whole raft of reasons to avoid this procedure entirely, and very few, if any, reasons why it might be a good idea.

Not Every Internet Fad is Worth Following

Internet social media platforms are extremely effective ways of spreading ideas rapidly to potentially huge audiences. Unfortunately these same social media platforms typically take no responsibility for disseminating what may prove to be harmful or even dangerous ideas. We strongly recommend against following internet fads, particularly when they involve potentially risky behavior. In this case there’s little to no evidence that this technique actually has any positive benefits, and a whole lot of reasons why it may not work, and why it may potentially be quite harmful.

In this case we see that videos not only target adults, who at least are responsible for their own actions, but also children. Putting aside the fact that children are the last group who should be worrying about excess facial hair, they are also being placed in potentially dangerous situations by the same adults who should instead be protecting them from unproven and unnecessary cosmetic treatments.

Your Laser Skin Care

Your Laser Skin Care practitioners are medically qualified, and highly experienced in performing hair removal and skin rejuvenation procedures. We can provide you with expert advice on the best techniques to address your particular concerns, and will be happy to answer any questions or concerns you may have about our procedures. We also have extensive experience with a wide variety of other non-invasive cosmetic procedures, and can help you choose the safest, most effective, and most cost-effective way to achieve your cosmetic goals. Call us at (323) 525-1516 to schedule a free consultation, or visit us online for more information.

1 12 13 14 15 16 79
Schedule Your Laser Skin Care Appointment Today! Make An Appointmentcircle-arrow-icon

Our Specials

  • Botox $11 per unit (20 units minimum)*
  • Juvederm $750 per syringe*
  • 10% OFF Latisse
  • * New clients only

Meet Dr. Fedonenko

Dr. Fedonenko is a member of the American College of Physicians and is Board Certified in Internal Medicine.

She completed her Residency at the University of Virginia School of Medicine in 1998 and has since specialized in Cosmetic Dermatology.

She obtained additional training in aesthetic medicine procedures soon thereafter, and the results of her extensive training and experience show in each and every patient’s face. She’s a doctor that can truly been trusted with your skin care and anti-aging needs.

Our location

6221 Wilshire Boulevard,
Suite 102, Los Angeles, California 90048
Schedule Your Laser Skin Care Appointment Today! Make An Appointment