The Tria Laser hair removal gadget has been around for a couple of years now- with Kiss and Makeup being a longterm fan-, but it recently underwent an upgrade in January with a new streamlined design, a safety skin test feature built into the base and more modes than ever before.
This is a LASER hair removal device- many of the other devices on the home market are IPL- Intense Pulsed Light- and I don't think they're as effective as a laser treatment.
HOW IT WORKS
The Tria is a diode laser hair removal device- the diode laser sends flashes of light onto the skin which then turn into heat energy and disable the hair follicle. Hair follicles grow in three stages, so this needs to be repeated to catch them at the right time. You're suggested to treat the chosen areas every two weeks for 6 months and then to do top ups.
STARTING IT UP
The folks behind the Tria want to make sure you're using it safely and have included a skin sensor in the base of the product. To turn it on you need to scan your skin and see that you're the right shade to use it (darker skin types aren't suitable, due to the way the laser gets attracted to the melanin in the skin) and then you need to get unlocking instructions via the website, which will make you assess your hair and skin type- some shades of hair can't be treated. The skin sensor will beep and unlock the Tria only if it considers you suitable- very cool! The Tria features a digital display which shows the power level (you have five modes) and can be used on the legs, bikini, arms and the FACE (upper lip and jaw only).
TREATMENT ONE with the TRIA
The prep you need to do before first use is easy- shave and clean the area chosen. I started with my legs, and had them super smooth and ready to go. I then used the skin sensor on the base to check my skintone was fine and it beeped and unlocked for me. I then chose what power mode I'd have it on- I started with two as I was a little nervous!
On Mode 2 I found the sensation against my skin warm but not unpleasant. When all parts of the Tria head was on my leg it would beep and emit the laser and I could then either slide it along to the next place or lift it and move it. Lifting was needed around the knees but it was good being able to slide it down my legs.
To do both legs took around 30-40 minutes, and that's about the battery life as well, if you're looking for a gauge.
I moved up to Mode 3 and the sensation felt a lot warmer and prickly but I managed to cope with it. I was warned that my legs might be red after treatment, but I didn't experience that- maybe when I try Mode 4 in two weeks?
I'll keep you posted with the Tria's properties over the next 6 months, and we'll see what happens to my leg hair by then!
*Note: Readers may have noticed that I have used an older version of the Tria before on my legs, but this was a number of years ago and I have some regrowth. My leg hair is not as thick as someone who is *new* to lasers, but enough for me to assess functionality and outcome.
