Permanent Hair Removal at Home: Tria Laser Versus Silk'n SensEpil

Sep 18, 2010
Chasity Goddard

Laser Hair Removal At Home - Image by Hanna Zabielska

Two laser hair removal systems are now available for home use, but which one is better?

Both the Tria Laser Hair Removal System and the Silk'n SensEpil have received FDA approval for home laser hair removal, but these devices are vastly different in how they treat the hair follicles to remove and reduce unwanted hair growth. The Tria Laser is a pulsed diode laser, and the Silk'n SensEpil relies on selective pulsed light technology to remove the hair. Which device is right for you?

Tria Laser System Positives

The same scientists and engineers who developed the first professional diode laser, the LightSheer, also developed the Tria Laser.
The Tria Laser is cordless, making treatments in hard to reach areas a bit easier.
No trigger button to push makes the Tria Laser easy to use. The laser automatically fires when all of the three contact points are touching the skin.
The second generation Tria Laser device has a faster firing speed that makes treatments faster.
A skin sensor is included with every device that ensures the home laser hair removal experience is safe.

Silk'n SensEpil System Positives

The Silk'n SensEpil has a large treatment head, which makes the treatment of larger areas faster than many other laser hair removal devices.
Pressure is no longer required to trigger the device on the next generation SensEpil released in 2010 making hair removal treatments easier.
Silk'n SensEpil now includes a skin sensor for the safety of its users.
A corded device, the Silk'n SensEpil does not require recharging that can interrupt treatment sessions.
The Silk's SensEpil can be used for facial laser hair removal.

Tria Laser and Silk'n SensEpil Side by Side Comparison

The Tria Laser is not recommended for facial hair removal, but the Silk'n SensEpil can be used safely on the face. The Tria Laser has a treatment head smaller than a dime, and Tria Beauty states that the treatment of a woman's legs can take as long as one hour, or thirty minutes each. On the other hand, a woman's legs can be treated in twenty minutes with the Silk'n SensEpil.

The Tria device is a diode laser, while the Silk'n SensEpil uses pulsed light technology. The Tria system costs $495, with nothing more to buy, and the system should last through 250 charge cycles. Tria Beauty claims 250 charges should allow a woman to remove all the unwanted hair on her entire body. The Silk'n SensEpil device costs $499, but you must purchase replacement lamp cartridges for $49 each. While the Tria Laser Hair removal system will cost $495 for full body hair removal, the Silk'n SensEpil could cost as much as $769 to complete the recommended six treatments.

How I Made the Decision Between the Tria Laser and the Silk'n SensEpil

My decision ultimately rested on the two main differences between these hair removal devices; investment of time versus investment of money, and the effectiveness of the diode laser versus pulsed light technology.

In the end, I was more impressed with the research and reviews of the diode laser over pulsed light. I was also concerned that more than six treatments would be required for significant reduction of unwanted hair, meaning additional cost with the Silk'n SensEpil, but no additional costs with the Tria Laser. I decided to try the Tria Laser first. If the Tria does not reduce unwanted hair growth, the Silk'n SensEpil is next on the list.

Resources:

U.S. Food and Drug Administration: Tria Laser Hair Removal System (accessed September 18, 2010).
U.S. Food and Drug Administration: Home Skinovations Ltn Silk'n (accessed September 18, 2010).