Tria Hair Removal Laser 4x is an at-home hair removal product from Tria Beauty. Today we offer our review along with additional product information.
About Tria Laser
Tria Laserthe current official company website
Below is a screenshot of triabeauty.com, taken in January 2015.
Tria Laser features & claims:
- 4 color choices: Turquoise, Graphite, Lavender, or Fuchsia
- Interactive LED display which guides you through each treatment
- 30-minute battery life
- Permanent hair removal results
- FDA cleared
- Pulse counter
- Up to 70% reduction in hair regrowth after second session
Tria Laser 4x Review
The new Tria 4x addresses some user concerns with earlier models, such as battery life, weight, and design. There is now a skin sensor and a LED display which can assist in the hair removal process.
Our tests of the product found that – depending on the candidate – it works quite well to remove hair, and the results were maintained at least six months after usage. Nevertheless, using the product effectively requires consistency and an investment of time.
Limitations
To Tria’s credit, they offer a testing tool on their website to determine if their product is right for you. This test allows you to input your skin color and your hair color. As some users will find, Tria is not for everyone, including those with light hair or dark skin. These limitations of the product, along with others, are noted below.
- Light hair – Tria states, “Lighter hair colors such as naturally white, blonde, red, or gray will not absorb enough of the laser”s energy to disable the hair follicle.”
- Dark skin – “People with dark skin tones have a higher risk of skin injury with the Tria Laser 4X because of higher levels of melanin in the skin. Melanin is the pigment that gives skin its beautiful brown coloring.”
- Facial hair – Women can use the Tria 4x for facial hair, but it is not recommended for men.
- Tattoos – Using the laser on tattoos or dark spots can injure the skin.
How much does Tria Laser cost?
Of the multiple hair removal products we have evaluated to date, Tria Laser 4x is one of the most expensive, at a total of $449.
Given the higher price, below are a couple additional considerations for the benefit of potential consumers:
Time investment
At-home laser hair removal is a marathon, not a sprint. Sessions can take about a half hour, and require patience – not only per session, but also in regards to long-term expectations.
Planned Obsolescence
Tria’s greatest drawback is that of planned obsolescence. In other words, it is only designed to last for about 300-400 charges (about 90,000 pulses), which is enough to treat an entire body once. There are no replacement bulbs or batteries, so you must purchase another unit if you require treatment beyond 300 charges.
It is recommended that you shave prior to using the Tria Laser. This not only helps the effectiveness, but can reduce the shock sensation which sometimes accompanies treatment.
Alternatives to Tria Laser
There are presently many at-home hair removal products available on the market. Two such examples include No!No! Pro and Silk’n Flash & Go.
2007 Science Study
In 2007, a study of Tria’s technology which appeared in a peer-reviewed scientific journal called Lasers in Surgery and Medicine concluded it was “highly effective” with the following results quoted below:
The mean hair reduction was 61% 3 weeks after the first treatment, 70% 3 weeks after the second treatment, 60% 1 month after the third treatment, 24% 2 months after the third treatment, 6% 3 months after the third treatment, 41% 6 months after the third treatment, 31% 9 months after the third treatment, and 33% 12 months after the third treatment. The only observed side effect for appropriate users was transient erythema.
History
The Google Trends graph below shows search interest in the term “tria laser” over time. Overall, curiosity appears to have increased steadily for several years. After a peak in February of 2014, interest has seemingly decreased, yet still remains palpable.
Bottom Line
Tria Laser 4x delivers impressive results to those who have the patience to use it diligently in combination with the hair colors and skin tones best-suited for product usage. The updated design addresses some issues of the first-generation model, but the limited lifespan of the product (~90,000 pulses) is disappointing considering the expensive price-tag.
Your Tria Laser Review
Have you used Tria Laser 4x? Let us hear from you in the comments below.
Updated January 9, 2015
Originally published December 2013
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