Are you seeking an effective method for hair removal at home that can keep you hair-free for months or even years? Have you stumbled upon IPL and laser hair removal treatments while browsing online but found yourself uncertain about how these technologies operate and which device you should invest in?
While IPL (Intense Pulsed Light) devices have been available for quite some time, finding a laser device suitable for at-home use can be challenging. In this article, we introduce you to two leading options on the market: the Philips Lumea, renowned for its IPL technology, and the Tria Beauty, celebrated for its laser capabilities.
Before delving into the specifics of these devices, let's explore how they function to effectively remove hair from the roots.
Tria Beauty Hair Removal Laser
The Tria Beauty 4X hair removal device utilizes laser technology to target and destroy hair follicles. With its small, round treatment window, it emits a monochromatic beam of light that penetrates the hair, where it is absorbed by the hair roots, ultimately leading to their destruction and entering the hair into a resting phase.
This concentrated light energy specifically targets hair follicles, leaving the surrounding skin unharmed. However, after a laser session, you may experience skin irritation, a stinging sensation, or mild burns. Additionally, Tria Beauty is compatible with darker skin tones, a significant advantage over many IPL devices.
Philips Lumea IPL
The Philips Lumea 9000 series represents the latest in Philips’s line of IPL devices. Other series, such as Prestige and Advanced, also exist. This device operates using a non-coherent polychromatic beam of light that penetrates the hair roots, effectively destroying the follicles, similar to laser treatment.
The key distinction between IPL and laser technologies lies in their targeting methods: IPL focuses on the contrast between skin and hair color, while laser technology solely concentrates on the pigment within the hair.
Tria vs. Philips Lumea: Which Device Is Right for You?
1. Design: Winner – Tria Beauty
Both the Tria and Philips Lumea are designed in a gun shape. The Philips Lumea can be used with or without a power cord, whereas the Tria Beauty device operates solely on battery power. The Philips has a straight stem, while Tria features a curved handle, which enhances comfort during use.
Additionally, the light window on the Philips device is rectangular, allowing it to target a larger area of hair simultaneously, whereas Tria’s round window targets specific hair follicles. Tria also includes a digital display for battery level and intensity settings, along with built-in fans for cooling the device.
Overall, Tria Beauty stands out with its user-friendly digital interface and ergonomic design.
2. Skin Tone Compatibility: Winner – A Tie
Both laser and IPL technologies rely on the difference in pigmentation between hair and skin. While modern laser technologies can accommodate darker skin tones, this isn’t applicable for Tria Beauty. Both Tria Beauty and Philips Lumea 9000 are suitable for fair to medium brown skin tones, as well as black to light brown or dark blonde hair colors. However, they are ineffective on dark brown or black skin tones and on hair colors such as light blonde, white, red, or orange.
3. User Experience: Winner – Philips
The Tria laser device offers five power levels to cater to various hair types and skin tones. It also includes skin sensors that ensure the device operates only when the skin tone and hair color match the requirements. Despite these features, some users report experiencing skin redness and itching due to the high-energy laser.
In contrast, the Philips Lumea IPL device also provides five intensity levels and advanced skin sensors that automatically select the appropriate intensity for your skin type. Furthermore, it features UV filters designed to protect the skin from UV light effects. While users may still feel a stinging sensation during treatment, the intensity is milder, making Philips Lumea a superior choice in terms of overall user experience.
4. Time to Notice Results: Winner – Philips
When using the Tria Beauty laser device, sessions are recommended every two weeks. After approximately eight treatments, you’ll start to observe a reduction in hair regrowth, with complete hairlessness anticipated within one year.
Conversely, the Philips Lumea IPL device suggests a session every 15 days. Significant hair reduction can be observed within just three sessions over six weeks, followed by maintenance sessions once a month to achieve complete hairlessness.
Thus, Philips Lumea delivers quicker results, with about 92% hair regrowth reduction achieved in a shorter time frame.
5. Longevity of Results: Winner – Tria
As a laser device, Tria effectively obliterates hair follicles, leading to results that can last up to one year without the need for touch-ups, allowing you to enjoy smooth, hair-free skin for a full 12 months.
On the other hand, IPL devices like the Philips Lumea produce less intense results, lasting about six months before re-treatment may be necessary. Therefore, Tria Beauty outperforms Philips in terms of lasting results.
6. Safety Clearance: Winner – Tria
When considering any high-intensity light device, it’s essential to verify its safety for skin usage. Among the various safety certifications, FDA clearance stands out as a reliable endorsement.
The Tria Beauty hair removal laser is FDA-cleared, assuring users of its safety. While the Philips Lumea is generally safe for skin use, it has not yet received FDA clearance.
7. What's Included: Winner – Philips Lumea
The packaging for the Tria Beauty hair removal laser includes only the device and its charger, available in pink, grey, and green. Other accessories, such as safety goggles and soothing gel, must be purchased separately.
In contrast, the Philips Lumea package includes the IPL device, three or four attachment heads, an adaptor, a user manual, and a travel case. However, it does not include safety goggles either.
Overall, Philips Lumea comes out on top due to its more comprehensive packaging and additional accessories.
8. Customer Reviews and Ratings: Winner – Philips
The Tria Beauty device holds a rating of 3.96 out of 5 stars from 1,011 customers. In comparison, the Philips Lumea Prestige boasts a 4.5 out of 5-star rating with 2,653 reviews, while the Lumea 9000 has a 4.4 out of 5-star rating from 289 customers.
With its higher ratings and more positive reviews, Philips Lumea IPL emerges as the preferred choice.
