FAQs on Laser:

How much do your laser and/or injectable treatments cost? Why don't you post your prices online?
Pricing depends on:
The area on your face or body that you are having treated.
The number of areas you are having treated.
The number of treatments you will need to achieve your goals (per treatment prices are reduced with the purchase of a treatment package, and the doctor can help estimate, based on your current condition, how many treatments you will need to accomplish your goals)
The amount of treatment needed (for example, some people require more units of Botox and cc's of Restylane than others depending on the depth and age of their wrinkles or the current shape of their lips)

With all these factors, it's easy to see why it might be difficult to clearly relay every possible pricing scenario on our website. Therefore, we invite you call us at (310) 943-6838 and one of our staff members will gladly discuss general pricing with you for treatments, including laser hair removal in Los Angeles. They will also offer to set up a complimentary consultation for you so a treatment plan can be created based on your individual needs, goals and budget.

Can I finance my procedures?
Yes, we have easy financing through Care Credit which you can apply for online easily and have a response in a matter of minutes. Learn more about this in our Financing section.

Who does your treatments?
Our Los Angeles photo facials, skin care, peels, and facials are administered by a licensed aesthetician with years of training and experience. Finally, our laser and aesthetic treatments, such as Botox and Restylane, are done by our on-staff medical director who is a board-certified doctor with specialized training in safely and effectively performing these procedures. We believe in offering our clients the highest quality care.

Sclerotherapy (for spider veins)
What is sclerotherapy?
Sclerotherapy is a medical procedure used to treat varicose veins and “spider veins.” Sclerotherapy involves an injection of a solution (generally sodium chloride) directly into the varicose vein. The solution irritates the lining of the vessel, causing it to swell and stick together, and the blood to clot. Over time, the vessel turns into scar tissue that fades from view. Sclerotherapy is a well-proven procedure has been in use since the 1930s to treat varicose veins.

How is sclerotherapy done?
Sclerotherapy is performed in a doctor’s office. In most cases, a 23 percent sodium chloride sterile solution mixed with lidocaine (a local anesthetic) and heparin is injected into a very fine needle directly into the blood vessel, using a very fine needle. A solution without lidocaine is available for people who are allergic to lidocaine. The number of varicose veins injected in one session is variable, depending on the size and location of the veins, and the patient’s overall medical condition.
Mild discomfort may occur, and a cramping sensation may be felt for 1 to 2 minutes when larger varicose veins are injected. The sclerotherapy procedure itself takes about 30 to 45 minutes.

How successful is sclerotherapy in treating varicose and spider veins?
Sclerotherapy works well for most patients with varicose veins. It is estimated that as many as 50 percent to 80 percent of injected varicose veins may be eliminated with each injection session. A few (less than 10 percent) of the people who have sclerotherapy on their varicose veins do not respond to the injections at all. In these instances, different solutions or a different method, such as laser therapy, may be tried.
In general, spider veins respond to sclerotherapy in 3 to 6 weeks, and larger veins respond in 3 to 4 months. If the veins respond to the treatment, they will not reappear. However, new veins may appear over time. If needed, you may return for injections.

What you need to do before the procedure
Prior to sclerotherapy, certain medications should be avoided. Tetracycline or Minocin, both antibiotics, may possibly cause a staining of the skin if taken 7 to 10 days before or after sclerotherapy. Ask your doctor about other antibiotic medications you may take, or ask for safe guidelines for discontinuing these medications. If you are required to take an antibiotic before any invasive procedure, such as dental procedures, colonoscopy or surgery, please inform your physician.

Do not take aspirin, ibuprofen (i.e. Advil and Nuprin) or other antiinflammatory medications for 48 hours before and after sclerotherapy, because these medications may interfere with the action of the sclerosing agent. Tylenol is permitted. Ask your doctor for specific guidelines before discontinuing any medication prior to sclerotherapy.

Prednisone also decreases the effectiveness of the sclerosing agent. Ask the doctor who prescribed your prednisone if it can be safely discontinued for 48 hours before the sclerotherapy procedure.

No lotion be applied to the legs before or after sclerotherapy. It is recommended that you bring a pair of shorts to wear during the varicose vein treatment procedure.

If you have compression hosiery from previous treatments, please bring them with you so we can make sure they will provide adequate support after the sclerotherapy procedure.

What are the side effects of sclerotherapy?
Certain side effects may be experienced after sclerotherapy. Larger injected varicose veins may become lumpy and hard for several months before resolving. Raised red areas may appear at the injection sites and should disappear within a few days. Brown lines or spots on the skin may be noted at the site of the injection, possibly caused by a form of iron that escapes from the injected veins. In most cases, they disappear within 3 to 6 months, but can be permanent about 5 percent of the time. Bruising may occur around the injection site and can last several days or weeks.
Other side effects rarely develop after sclerotherapy. If you have any of these side effects, please contact your physician immediately:
• Inflammation within five inches of the groin
• Sudden onset of a swollen leg
• Formation of small ulcers at the injection site
• Red streaking, especially in the groin area
• Allergic reactions to the sclerosing agent may occur at the time of the injection and are rarely serious.
Call your physician with any concerns or questions you may have after the sclerotherapy procedure.

What happens after the treatment?
After the treatment you will be able to drive yourself home. You may resume your regular activities and are encouraged to walk. You will be instructed to wear support hosiery or compression wraps to “compress” the treated vessels. All support items can be purchased at The Cleveland Clinic. Support stockings purchased from a department store may not be adequate if a heavy compression stocking is prescribed.
After the procedure, avoid aspirin, ibuprofen and other antiinflammatory medications for at least 48 hours. Tylenol may be used if needed.
Do not take hot baths or sit in a whirlpool or sauna, nor apply hot compresses or any form of heat to the injected areas for 48 hours after treatment. In addition, avoid direct exposure to sunlight (sun bathing and tanning beds)jogging, high-impact aerobics and swimming for 7 to 10 days after the procedure.
Showers are permitted, but the water should be cooler than usual. The injection sites may be washed with a mild soap and lukewarm water.

How will I know if I am a candidate for sclerotherapy?
Prior to the procedure, you will have an initial consultation with a vascular medicine specialist who will tell you if you are eligible for sclerotherapy. You are not eligible for sclerotherapy if you are pregnant, breastfeeding, or are bedridden. You must wait at least three months after birth before you can be considered for this procedure. You can have sclerotherapy if you take birth control pills. If you have had a blood clot in the past, your eligibility will be decided on an individual basis, and will depend on the extremity and the reason for the clot.
Veins that are potentially usable for future surgical bypass procedures (such as the saphenous vein for coronary artery bypass graft surgery) will generally not be considered for injection, unless they are already deemed unusable for bypass procedures.

What can I expect during my consultation and follow-up appointments?
Your first visit with Dr. Bissoon will be a Mesotherapy consultation. After filling out a series of forms, the doctor will review your medical history and give you an in depth explanation as to what Mesotherapy is. He will address any of your concerns.
Following this, you will have your photos taken (for medical records only) which is one step taken towards charting your Mesotherapy progress (periodically you will take follow-up pictures to facilitate this).
You will also receive two small injections used for allergy testing.
In most cases, patients are not treated at the time of the Mesotherapy consultation in order to allow time to see if there are any allergic reactions to the two injections. The patient is required to call 24 hours later to report if s/he has had any negative reaction. These results will get recorded in the patient’s Mesotherapy chart.
You may schedule a Mesotherapy appointment for treatment one day later at the time of your consult allowing for the 24 hour period need for allergy testing.
Patients typically sign up for advance Mesotherapy appointments in order to best accommodate their schedule. Most come once a week for Mesotherapy but on occasion a treatment may be skipped--this will not affect your progress.
You will be offered the choice to purchase a topical numbing cream which you can apply 45 minutes prior to your Mesotherapy appointments. We suggest trying the first Mesotherapy treatment without the cream; many can tolerate the treatment without it.
You will leave your consultation with a list of instructions (do's and don'ts) for Mesotherapy.
Payment for your Mesotherapy consult and sessions is due at the time of treatment. We do not require advance payment.
In order to reserve your Mesotherapy consultation, we require a contact phone number and a credit card. As per our office policy, we will charge $150 for patients who do not cancel within 48 hours prior to appointments.

When Will I see Results?
Results vary depending on your body type and the condition being treated. On average, patients notice visible improvement in two to three sessions. For certain conditions, patients see results after the first session.

Will the results last?
The results do last, especially when combined with exercise and proper nutrition. However, we cannot stop the natural aging that affects your appearance. For this reason, we recommend regular maintenance visits.

Are the treatments painful?
You may feel a slight pinching or burning sensation when the injections are administered. However, we can provide a topical anesthetic that makes treatment virtually painless.

Are there any side effects?
A common side effect of Mesotherapy is bruising, which generally resolves over one week. To speed up the healing process, we recommend that the homeopathic supplement arnica be taken either orally or applied topically on a daily basis. Patients may experience temporary soreness. This will subside within 24-48 hours.

Are there any Restrictions?
Restrictions vary, depending on the condition being treated. We discuss these with each patient before treatments commence. In general, patients are advised not to wear makeup for at least 4 hours after facial treatments, not to take hot showers for at least 6 to 8 hours. We recommend that patients eat a high-protein meal, and avoid caffeine or other stimulants before treatment.

How Much Does It Cost?
The cost varies by doctor and geographical location. In addition, the total cost depends on the nature of the medical condition and the number of sessions needed to achieve the desired results. Prior to your first session, you will receive a treatment plan that outlines the anticipated costs.