For months and months, we've all heard about home laser hair removal. Some of us, could barely contain ourselves (myself... I'll honestly say I was very curious to say the least). This kind of laser technology has been on the market for years in Europe, the most popular being the Rio and Epila lasers. These products were never FDA approved, but I know quite a few people who got their hands on Rio hair removal lasers through sites like eBay. I always think shirking the FDA is a dangerous decision, but if you want something bad enough (i.e. smooth, hairless skin), you have to do what you have to do.

However, more legal means have now become available with the FDA approval of laser hair removal home devices. The Tria hair removal laser is the first FDA approved at-home device for laser hair removal, however, I suspect that many lasers are coming just around the corner. Gillette, I know, has teamed with Palomar (the makers of the uber popular StarLux) to provide an over-the-counter laser hair removal device. Until then the Tria is now available at certain laser clinics for purchase.

First Hand Tria Laser Review

My friend Nola (yes, Nola of the boob job fame) got her hands on a Tria though, and I just had to try it out for myself. Needless to say I was not terribly impressed. The sensation is pretty similar to professional laser hair removal, only not quite as bad. Tria is like junior laser hair removal... it's just like the real thing, only much smaller. So, pretty much in every way the Tria laser falls short of professional hair removal. It hurts less and is easy to use (pretty much point and click), but it's just not as effective. First of all, it's not permanent! So, laser hair removal's biggest selling point falls way short with the Tria. I would say the hair definitely stays gone longer than waxing, but it just doesn't seem worth it to me. The reason the Tria is not permanent hair removal is because in order to make it safe enough for home use, they had to make the laser far weaker.

The other big problem I hear is that the Tria can be dangerous for those with darker skin tones. Dark skin tones in general are not compatible with laser hair removal, but it can even be downright risky with untrained hands. Laser clinics such as American Laser Centers can treat darker skin tones because laser technicians display a higher degree of skill. Now if you put the same laser in the hands of someone with little to no experience (much like you or me), expect to end up with scarring, burning, and blistering. Ouch!

If you thought the answer to all your hair removal dreams is the Tria laser, well, try again. I say stick to professional laser hair removal, it might cost a little more, but the results are more than worth it.

Take it from your friend,
Mia ;)