TRIA has been approved by the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) as an 'over-the-counter, hand-held laser hair removal device designed for at-home use'.

 

Having been closely involved with the delivery of professional in-clinic laser or intense pulsed light hair removal over the last few years, with specialist lasers costing upwards of £40,000, we've been a little sceptical about the effectivenes of "at-home" lasers devices that were introduced in early 2006.

 

We were, however, impressed with the study data, alongside our own personal trial of the Tria (which was launched in the UK in early 2007).

 

TRIA is compact, hand-held and rechargeable, and harnesses advanced technology that really is similar to what you would find in a  professional hair removal clinic.

TRIA’s diode laser is designed to remove unwanted hair through a process called “selective photothermolysis”. When directed at the site of unwanted hair, the laser is absorbed by the hair’s black or brown colour, disabling the follicle with little discomfort. Since the laser is reacting to the melanin in the hair and transforming light energy into thermal energy, the surrounding skin is not harmed.

 

Results will depend on several factors:  

TRIA is simple to use. Once charged, TRIA allows you to select one of three levels of intensity appropriate for your degree of sensitivity, (low, medium or high). When applied to the skin it emits a short pulse of light through an output window, covering multiple hair follicles in second-long intervals. When it's time to move the output window, the device emits a short beep.

 

TRIA has three contact sensors to safeguard against misuse. If all three contact sensors are not touching the skin, the device will not emit a pulse of light. If the device is moved or lifted from the skin during a laser light pulse, TRIA will signal that the area needs to be treated again by emitting a short buzzing sound.

 

TRIA targets hair growth beneath the skin. Because the diode laser reacts with the dark pigment of the hair shaft, the surrounding lighter coloured skin is not harmed.

 

Although no in-clinic professional, or at-home laser hair removal device can currently claim permanent hair removal, permanent hair reduction is achievable using this device.

 

Before and After Pictures (Your Results May Vary)

 

Female – left underarm Before first treatment	One month after third treatment
Female – left bikini Before first treatment	One month after third treatment
Male – Chest Before first treatment	One month after third treatment

 

On individuals with white to light brown skin, TRIA can be safely used on these areas of the face and body: Nape of the neck, underarms, bikini line, legs, back, chest, abdomen, shoulders, feet, hands, upper lips (women only), and chins (women only).

 

Because the treatment head of the TRIA is small, managing hair growth over larger body areas - ie whole legs or back - may not be practical, and we would suggest that you go to a laser hair removal clinic for a professional course of treatment, followed by using the TRIA as a maintenance device to treat remaining hairs.

For best results, TRIA should be used every two to four weeks until desired results are achieved. After the first laser hair removal session, it takes approximately two weeks to begin seeing visible results. Hairs that were not in the "active growth phase" during the previous session will continue to grow and will need to be re-treated (see detailed product info for more details).

 

Despite the growing popularity and scientifically proven efficacy of laser hair removal technology, there are still those reluctant to switch from conventional methods of hair removal like shaving, waxing and depilatories regardless of the ongoing inconveniences associated with these methods.

 

Based on national averages, a woman can expect to spend between £1,500 and £4,500 for hair-free underarms, bikini line, upper lip and chin over the next ten years. And, the average fee for professional laser hair removal is between £50 and £200 per session, depending on the size of the area.

 

This makes the TRIA a convenient, time-saving, private and potentially cost-effective option for the long term reduction of hair growth.

 

WARNING: TRIA is not safe for use on medium brown to black skin tones and will not remove blonde, grey or red hairs. A high SPF sunblock should be used to protect treated areas that are exposed for the first week following each treatment. Please read the warnings and contraindications in the Detailed Product Info section below.

	For clinical study information - "Simulated Consumer Use of a Battery-Powered, Hand Held, Portable Diode Laser (810nm) for Hair Removal: A Safety, Efficacy and Ease-of-Use Study" please click on the adobe icon to download the PDF file (69kb).   If you do not have Adobe Reader installed click here.