The History of Ohshiro Clinic

■ The world’s first general hospital specializing in laser treatment.

Laser is a light. After the research of light by many researchers, an American Theodore Maiman succeeded in creating laser light using ruby crystals as the laser medium. The president of this clinic, Ohshiro read a paper written by Professor Leon Goldman, where application of lasers in the field of dermatology and was inspired to apply lasers to the treatment of nevi which Ohshiro was studying at the time. In 1974, Ohshiro flew to the United States and received training in laser medicine and laser engineering. In 1975, Ohshiro established Ohshiro clinic for the laser treatment of nevi, and Japan Medical Laser Laboratory in Shizuoka-city, Shizuoka prefecture. In 1977, the clinic and laboratory moved to Koujimachi, Chiyoda-city, Tokyo and in 1994, they moved to the present address of Shinanomachi, Shinjuku-city, Tokyo. In 2002, the clinic was made into a medical corporation, and has been ever since then to the present date.

At the time of the establishment there were no medical lasers available in Japan. Ohshiro had to contrive by independently importing the ruby laser K2 (for industrial use, made by Korad Co. a company created by Maiman) and reforming it for medical use at the Japan Medical Laser Laboratory. The reformed laser device was called Ohshiro type KORAD K2 ruby laser and laser treatment of nevi commenced. This was the beginning of laser treatment in the fields of plastic surgery and dermatology in Japan.
Following this, the clinic became the pioneer of laser treatment, treating mainly melanotic nevi (black nevi, brown nevi, white nevi) and abnormal vascular nevi (red nevi). The efficacy of the treatments were reported through books, academic journals, meetings of societies, news papers, television and periodicals both domestically in Japan and internationally. The possibilities of medical lasers were pursued, and application of lasers broadened to such as the treatment of pain (orthopedics, pain clinic), medical laser hair removal, allergic rhinitis (ENT clinic), climacteric disturbance and infertily (Lady’s clinic), cosmetic surgery and cosmetic dermatology.
Presently, Ohshiro clinic owns and operates 103 laser devices of 29 types of lasers. These lasers are used by specialists from the fields of plastic surgery, dermatology, orthopedics, pain clinic, ENT clinic, Lady’s clinic, cosmetic surgery and cosmetic dermatology for a comprehensive coverage of general disorders.

Ohshiro clinic has a strong conviction to use lasers for medical care in order for people to live life "healthy" , "beautifully" and "gorgeously" and it will continue its work as the world’s first general hospital specializing in laser treatments.

■ Timeline of Ohshiro clinic and Japan Medical Laser Laboratory.

Laser treatment

■ Laser apple

"Laser apple" was made by president Ohshiro to illustrate the reaction of laser light incident to the surface of living tissue. It is from this concept where new treatments are created. Laser light scatters to the periphery and to a depth of the tissue in a concentric circular manner. The point of incidence has the highest density of light while the density decreases as the distance from the point of incidence increases.
The outermost layer is "activation" , the second layer is "welding" (<55℃), the third layer is "protein breaking" (68℃~), the fourth layer is "protein coagulation" (100℃~), and the next is "vaporization" (100℃~), and finally is "carbonization" (200~2000℃).
Activation is a reversible reaction where cells and tissue are still alive. In welding the cells and tissue are partially alive, but the reaction is irreversible. Protein breaking, protein coagulation, vaporization and carbonization are all irreversible reaction where cells and tissue are destroyed (for more details please read commentary of the Japan Medical Laser Laboratory).
President Ohshiro classified and named the treatment using these reactions, as surgical laser treatment (High reactive-Level Laser Treatment : HLLT) and internal medicine type laser therapy (Low reactive-Level Laser Therapy: LLLT) and Mid reactive-Level Laser Treatment: MLLT which is in between. This classification is used worldwide.
As such, Ohshiro clinic plays an important role as the worldwide promoter of laser treatment.

The list of lasers used at our clinic

Ever since 1975 when we developed the first medical laser in Japan, the clinic, in conjunction with Japan Medical Laser Laboratory, has developed and introduced numerous laser and treatment devices. As of April 2012, the number of laser devices are 103 devices of 29 types of treatment devices. This hospital handles the most number of lasers in Japan.
The list of representative laser and treatment devices used at Ohshiro Clinic

Access to JR Shinanomachi Station

■ By Shinkansen (bullet train)

From Tokyo station (approximately 15 minutes)
Take the JR Chuo-line to Ochanomizu station and change trains to JR Chuo-Sobu line which will arrive on the opposite side of the same platform.

From Shinagawa station (approximately 25minutes)
Take the JR Yamanote-line (clock wise course: bound for Shibuya and Shinjuku) to Yoyogi and change to the Chuo-Sobu line (bound for Yotsuya).
The second stop is Shinanomachi.

From Shinjuku station (approximately 5minutes)
Take the JR Chuo- Sobu line bound for Chiba. The third stop is Shinanomachi.

■ Access from airports

From Haneda International Airport (approximately 50 minutes)
Take the Tokyo Monorail to Hamamatsucho station and change to the JR Yamanote line (counter clock wise course) to Kanda station.
Change to the Chuo line (rapid) and get off at Ochanomizu station to change to the JR Chuo-Sobu line which will arrive at the opposite side of the same platform.

From Narita International Airport (approximately 80 minutes)
Take the Narita Express to Tokyo.
From Tokyo station take the JR Chuo-line to Ochanomizu station and change trains to JR Chuo-Sobu line which will arrive on the opposite side of the same platform.

Frequently Asked Questions ( FAQ ) and answers.

What are the costs of treatments?

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For the treatment of nevi and senile flecks, the cost depends on the type, depth of the lesion along with individual variations, and a definitive price cannot be said, but the general rules are as follows.

The price of laser treatments are
●In the case of nevi: 12000~19000yen per 1cm². The area will be measured at each treatment.
●In the case of senile flecks: 500yen per 1mm². The area will be measured at each treatment.
●In the case of freckles: 2500yen~ per freckle.

5000~30000yen per treatment will be required for medication and/or examinations.
Feel free to ask at the time of consultation for a complete estimate, after making a reservation.

Who should refrain from treatment?

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●People with allergies: people with severe bronchial asthma, urticaria or atopic dermatitis may experience attacks of asthma or coughing fits during the treatment. Such people are prone to prolonged post-treatment redness.

●People with diabetes mellitus: Post-treatment redness may lead to ulcerations.

●Chronic disorders: People with hypertension, heart diseases, liver diseases, renal diseases or malignancies may experience exacerbation of their conditions after laser treatments. Permission by the attending physician is required.

●People attached to cardiac pace makers: Since laser light is a type of electromagnetic wave, disruption of cardiac rhythm may occur, depending on the type of cardiac pace maker. Permission by the attending physician is required.

●Pregnant women: Not only lasers but other stimuli carry the risk of miscarriage and premature delivery and should be avoided.

Those listed above are only in general. Feel free for any inquiries.

How long does laser treatment take?

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Senile flecks and certain types of lentigines may be removed by a single treatment.
However even in such cases, 2~3 months are required for follow up and checking for recurrences.
In the case of nevi, multiple treatments are required for its gradual dissipation.

From what age can laser treatment be started?

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Laser treatment can be started as early as 3 months of age.
In the case of treatment of nevi, the treatment may require a long period of time.
Early consultation allows for treatments based on a long term treatment plan.

In the case of laser therapy for pain, how often should I receive treatments?

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This differs from case to case, depending on the condition of the pain and individual.
During the first 2~3 weeks, treatments once or twice a week is advocated. As the pain decreases, the interval between treatments is lengthened. As a rule in general 5 treatments are considered a single course where an assessment of the treatment is made.

When can I wear makeup after being treated on the face?

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Depending on the laser used for the treatment, makeup is allowed from the next day in some instances while no makeup is allowed for 3days to 1week in others.
There are also restrictions concerning bathing, so please follow the doctor’s orders.

For reservations and inquiries please contact us by telephone or e-mail
at the number and address listed below.