Laser hair removal treatments can now be administered in the comfort and privacy of home. The Tria and the Silk'n SensEpil have been approved by the FDA for the treatment of unwanted hair. Both devices have demonstrated to the FDA that they offer permanent reduction of hair growth, but the FDA has only approved the Tria laser's ability to claim permanent hair removal.
Benefits of Home Laser Hair Removal
- The cost of laser hair removal can be prohibitive. Home laser hair removal devices cost about the same as one to two professional hair removal sessions, but provide full body laser hair removal.
- Laser hair removal treatment at home offers privacy that professional laser hair removal treatments cannot match.
- Permanent laser hair removal at home is more convenient than making appointments and traveling to a salon for treatments.
The Tria Laser for Home Hair Removal
The Tria laser, manufactured by Tria Beauty, is a pulsed diode laser that has been approved by the FDA as a laser hair removal system "intended for permanent reduction in hair regrowth." The Tria laser works by targeting the pigment in dark hair, effectively killing the hair follicle prohibiting new hair growth. The Tria laser is less powerful than the lasers found in salons and dermatology offices, so more hair removal treatments may be necessary. Tria recommends a treatment regiment of every two weeks for three months, then once a month for five months, with visible results possible after the second month of treatment.
Tria customer service prohibits the use of the home laser hair removal device for facial hair, but the FDA clearly states that "devices cleared for body hair removal are also cleared for facial hair removal" effectively ending the speculation that Tria has not been cleared by the FDA for facial hair removal. Tria customer service stated that the device is not recommended for the face because the skin of the face and neck are more delicate than skin on other parts of the body and the laser can possibly burn the face. The Tria laser is recommended to treat the areas of the body below the neck with the exception of delicate genital areas. The Tria laser is cordless and can be recharged as much as 250 times, which Tria customer service claims is enough for the average woman to completely treat her entire body.
Silk'n SensEpil for Permanent Laser Hair Removal at Home
The Silk'n SensEpil hair removal system administers selective photothermal treatments for the reduction and inhibition of hair growth, and has been approved by the FDA as a device for permanent reduction of hair growth. The Silk'n SensEpil uses removable light cartridges that target the dark pigment in hair, heating and destroying the hair follicle. These cartridges must be replaced after "approximately 750 pulses, which are enough to treat an entire body once," but not enough to complete the full regiment of recommended treatments. Treatments are recommended every two weeks for two months, then as needed for hair that is regrowing.
The Silk'n SensEpil can be used for body hair removal and facial hair removal from the cheek bones down. Silk's SensEpil customer service claims that most individuals will see a noticeable reduction in hair regrowth after two months of bi-weekly treatments. The treatment area of the Silk'n SensEpil is six times larger than the Tria, reducing the time needed for each treatment.
Laser hair removal is not an overnight solution to unwanted hair. The treatments can be painful and require a commitment of time and money to complete. Home laser hair removal systems offer cost-effective and private treatment options to people who otherwise would never experience the benefits of permanent hair removal.
Further Reading:
Become a Laser Hair Removal Technician
Tria Laser Versus Silk'n SensEpil
Chasity Goddard - Chasity Goddard holds a BA degree from the University of TN. Her wide-ranging interests and research skills pull her in various ...
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