Hello,
Not sure your exact specialty, but I know jobs in the sciences are huge in California. Were you in a lab/research setting? Have you considered working with a head hunter to help with he job process? Which online sites have you used? Are there some particular to your field?
As for the cutting, I would wear a long sleeve shirt on the interview if that is what makes you feel comfortable, but I think what you wear after is again up to what makes you most comfortable.