Semiconductor laser device with mirror protection includes transversally a structure with a double waveguide, consisting of an active waveguide and a separated or adjacent trapping waveguide, and longitudinally a main segment and end segments, the thickness of the upper cladding of the end segments being gradually decreased toward the mirrors. In the main segment, the field distribution is asymmetric, preponderantly located in the lower cladding. In the end segments, the field distribution gradually further shifts toward the lower cladding. Along the end segments, the fundamental mode confinement factor Γ is gradually and substantially reduced. The reduction of the confinement factor Γ protects against degradation the projection of the active region on the exit mirrors, the laser element most sensitive to degradation.