Tria Laser - Reviews and Cost for At-Home Laser Hair Removal

Tria, an "At-Home" Laser

The Tria personal laser hair removal system is an at-home hair removal device, the first laser to be FDA cleared for use at home.

Other home hair removal devices utilize light-sources such as IPL or electric wires to remove hair. The Tria, however, targets the hair's melanin pigment and triggering the hair's telogen, or resting, phase.

6 to 8 Months before Desirable Results

According to Tria, optimal results require 6 to 8 treatments or more to achieve a desirable result. Treatments may need to be spaced out every 4 weeks in order to target all the hairs in the treatment area.

A Treatment Session

In order for the laser to properly target your hair shafts, you shouldn't wax or pluck any hair for about two months prior to treatment, although you may shave during that time. It is recommended you shave prior to treatment as this helps improve the treatment's effectiveness by allowing more of the laser light to reach the deeper hair follicles rather than the portions of the hair above the skin.

As you press the device on the treatment area and have contact with the skin, it will beep, indicating that it is treating the area. The device should be held in place until a second beep is heard indicating that area is completed. If the treatment of that area was not successful, the Tria will buzz instead, and treatment should be reapplied. You will continue this process throughout the entire section of the body you are treating until you have successfully passed the whole area. Tria Beauty states that about 50 beeps per square inch is required for a treatment session, which works out to about approximately 30 minutes for an underarm area. Large areas like legs or back may take much longer.

Pain

Laser treatments can be painful which is why physicians performing laser surgery will often utilize topical anesthesia, cooling sprays, contact cooling, or pneumatic skin flattening during treatment. This helps diminish pain. Obviously when treating yourself at home you will not have access to such methods of limiting pain. Tria has three settings which control the strength of the treatment and can be used to limit pain. Most people who have used the device say the pain is tolerable.

Not For Everyone or Every Body Part

The Tria is only approved for people who are light in color. If you are of a darker complexion or are tan, you cannot and should not use the Tria. Using the Tria on dark skin may cause serious injury to your skin. Laser hair removal for dark-skinned people is possible, however should be done in a physician's office.

The device should also not be used on the face, head, ears, genitals, nipples, anus or neck. The density of the hairs, darker tone of the skin, and the sensitivity of the skin in these areas of the body may also lead to injury.

It is important to note that treatment on white, blond, red, or gray hairs will not be effective.

Activating & "Unlocking" the Tria

The Tria is sold with a charger and should be fully charged prior to use. It also comes with an instruction packet with valuable information about the proper use of the device. A laser is a highly sensitive device and should be used safely and properly so it is strongly recommended you follow the instructions provided. Prior to your first treatment with the Tria you must activate it by calling the manufacturer. They will answer any questions you might have and activate the device for use.

The Tria is not FDA approved for consumers with darker skin. To ensure proper use of the device a sensor is provided which will test your skin color to be sure that you may safely use the Tria. If your skin is light enough, the sensor will flash a green light and you may "unlock" the Tria hand piece by passing the sensor in front of it.

Who's Behind the Tria

This home laser was co-developed by Robert Grove Ph.D., Chief Technology Officer of Tria Beauty. Dr. Grove has some experience with laser hair removal having also co-developed the first diode laser used for professional laser hair removal. "Since 1995 we have had professional laser hair removal, and since that time we have wanted to bring it into the home" commented Dr. Grove. Already in use in Europe and Asia, the Tria was approved in February 2008 by the US Food and Drug Administration opening the way for its entrance into the all-important US market.