If you’re looking for a genuine home laser hair removal device, then Tria is pretty much the only game in town. The Tria Hair Removal Laser 4X is ideal for focused home hair removal on small areas – though it’s less well suited to large areas such as your legs.
Where to Buy
Pros
Actual laser hair removal (not IPL)
Ideal for small areas
Cordless
FDA-approved
Cons
Very small head makes progress slow-going
Not suited to large areas
Recommended soothing gel is an expensive extra
So here’s the thing about home laser hair removal devices. Most of them aren’t “laser” hair removal, at all. This includes devices from some of the biggest brand names around – Braun, Philips, Remington, no!no! – these products may be sold under the laser hair removal category on stores such as Amazon or Boots, but they are in fact IPL (Intense Pulsed Light) rather than true laser.
Step forward, then, Tria – with its Hair Removal Laser 4X (and smaller Precision model), Tria has some of the only “true” laser hair removal products for home use. Does this make the Tria Hair Removal Laser 4X a better choice than an IPL device? Bear with us...
Breaking Down the Manufacturer Claims
Tria claims the 4X uses “the same diode laser technology preferred by professional salons” – and that’s true, to a point. This is indeed laser hair removal, not IPL, which is the tech used by most other manufacturers of home “laser” devices.
On top of this, Tria also states its tech has “three times more hair eliminating energy than any other at-home hair removal device”. Sounds good, but let’s take a moment to explain how this works in practice.
One look at the Tria 4X against devices from Braun, Philips or Remington (all IPL) and you’ll spot a key difference straight away. That is, the Tria’s “head”, where the laser is emitted from, is tiny compared to the light windows on rival devices (typically 3cm squared to 4cm squared). So, back to tria’s claims – its energy may indeed be higher than that emitted by rivals, but it’s far more focused into a smaller area.
This means that the Tria will be truly slow-going for doing, say, your legs, abdomen or a male chest (consider an IPL device for those, though their weaker output may mean you’ll need more sessions). The Tria is ideal, though, for smaller areas such as the upper lip, bikini line or armpit.
Tria’s laser tech targets the pigment at the root of the hair follicle. In effect, this permanently disables a hair follicle’s to regrow. Tria claims its device can reduce up to 70% of unwanted hair after just two treatments in as few as three months. As ever, these results will vary tremendously depending on your hair and skin type, and the area you are treating. For instance, finer hairs above your ip will respond very differently to coarse hairs around the bikini line.
If you’re patient enough to work through regular cycles of usage, you will indeed see results (provided you meet the skin and hair colour criteria recommended – see more, below).
Is Laser Hair Removal Permanent? See our full explainer guide
Features and Extras
One great thing about the 4X is that it’s cordless, unlike so many IPL devices under the £300 mark, which constrict you to corded use. This means you can more easily use it while sat on the sofa, or in your bathroom and away from a conventional power socket. Users report battery life of around half an hour, which should be ample for a session treating smaller areas (again, if you’re looking to do full legs, this may not be the device for you).
There aren’t many extras bundled in with the Tria 4X, though you can opt for a set which includes a tube of Tria’s Calming Soothing Gel. This helps to numb the skin in preparation for a session with the Tria device.
Users warn that the higher intensity settings can be uncomfortable at first, and recommend starting at the lower settings. Of course, you can slap on some of that Calming Soothing Gel, but at a somewhat jaw-dropping £49 a tube of just 150ml, you may want to go easy (or grin and bear it).
Skin and Hair Type Suitability
The Tria device is FDA-approved as safe to use, which is always reassuring. However, Tria warns that its products aren’t suited to those with very dark skin, or with very light hair.
Sadly, just as with home IPL machines, dark skin is risky with this device, as the higher levels of melanin absorb the heat from the laser – instead, you want it focused on the hair. Light hair (white, blonde, or red) will also be less suited, as it doesn’t absorb the light and heat from the laser.
Verdict - Should You Buy It?
If you’re looking for an authentic home laser hair removal machine, then Tria has the IPL crowd beat. The 4X is the real deal, and with its cordless approach, it’s a convenient way to go about home laser hair removal. The small head means it’s not perfect for zapping your legs, but if you’re looking to control hair in a smaller area, this is a tremendous choice.
Where to Buy
