Get the real deal on beauty treatments—real doctors, real reviews, and real photos with real results.Here's how we earn your trust.

Laser injury to teeth with upper lip treatment? And not seeing results...

ABT15
I am a 30-year-old female with PCOS.  I have had thick dark hair on my chin and jawline since I was 18, which I had been managing by extensive daily plucking and shaving.  I recently started laser hair removal on my chin/jaw and my upper lip, which cost a total of $600 for both areas to be treated once per month for 18 months.  I have had three sessions so far.  I have not seen any results yet, and the hair is not falling out, thinning, or growing any slower.  I should mention that the hair is dark and I have very light, pale skin.  Each session, the technician tells me she is turning up the power on the laser a little more because I am not not seeing results.  I was initially told to expect redness, burning, itching, and bumps following the treatments, which wold be a sign that they are working.  I have minor redness that lasts only ten minutes or so, and I have never felt any irritation afterwards at the treated sites - no itching, burning, or pain.  I do feel the painful "bursts" or "pops" when the laser actually passes over the skin, and I can smell burning hair.  My first question would be - do I need to press the technician for a higher laser setting or ask for more and/or longer passes over each area - or do I just need to give it more time?  Remember, this is not fine lady hair but thick, coarse, man-beard type hair.  My second question has to do with the last treatment I had - when the laser passed over my upper lip, I felt burning and pain in the roots of my front teeth.  Usually, I try to put my tongue over my teeth, but I didn't get a chance this time.  I still occasionally feel discomfort in my front teeth now, a week later.  Could this be a potential problem, and have I inadvertently injured or weakened the roots of my front teeth?

Answers (5)

From board-certified doctors and trusted medical professionals
Jason Emer, MD profile photo
Dr. Jason Emer, MD
Dermatologic Surgeon, Board Certified in Dermatology
4.7 | 521 Reviews
Answer
1 person found this helpful
Dr. Monika Soni, MD
Board Certified Anesthesiologist
Answer
Dr. Hardik Soni, MD
Board Certified Emergency Medicine Physician
Answer
1 person found this helpful
Dr. Laura Riehm, MD
Physician, Board Certified in Anesthesiology
Answer
1 person found this helpful
Steven F. Weiner, MD profile photo
Dr. Steven F. Weiner, MD
Board Certified Otolaryngologist
4.9 | 151 Reviews
Answer
1 person found this helpful