I’m finishing up the second round of treatment. It’s taken longer than the first round because I’ve been using Level 2 as much as I can stand. A charge seems to lasts around 40-45 min on Level 2, and then the Tria has to recharge for a couple of hours.
Treat a small area. Recharge. Repeat.
In addition to the Level 2 reaction I posted about earlier, I noticed along my bikini line on Level 1 that I developed red spots that made me think of heat rash. After 24 hours, the redness has mostly faded, but some of the spots are still noticeable.
I seem to be making some progress but it’s still very slow. My underarms have probably 30% less hair than when I started. It’s harder to say on my legs but I would guess somewhere between 20% and 30% less.
Honestly, I’m a little disappointed at this point. OK, a lot disappointed.
So far, I can say:
a) This is taking MUCH longer than I expected. It literally takes me hours to treat my legs. I’m a fairly patient person but I really expected to be further along than I am. After reading all of the literature, I knew the Tria would not yield instant results but I did expect more than this snail’s pace.
b) And this process is a LOT more painful than I anticipated. Again, I don’t consider myself a wimp where pain is concerned but this seems a bit much for as slow as progress has been. That rubber band snap thing? Not a chance. This is much worse. Like burning hot needles poking sunburnt skin.
c) I need to be a lot more flexible to effectively treat the backs of my legs. I haven’t asked my husband for help yet but I may need to in the future. This could be interesting. 
Did you have “traditional” laser hair removal before this? I’m thinking of your comments on pain, and trying to gauge if it’s “normal” or “abnormal”.
I know for me in the salon it was almost unbearable
.
Comment by Tally — July 21, 2008 @ 5:23 am |
I have never had “traditional” laser hair removal before this.
I have discussed the pain levels with friends who have had laser treatment professionally done and my experience seems on par with theirs. The main difference seems to be that, in the salon or whereever, my friends were offered some sort of numbing cream that they agree made a world of difference. I asked Tria customer service about this and was told they did not recommend using anything on the skin before treatment.
Comment by RA — July 21, 2008 @ 12:27 pm |
I dont think you should be too disappointed. regular treatment with laser at a salon takes about 6 rounds to see permanant, significant reduction, with 3-4 weeks between treatments. you have had nearly two treatments, and not very long apart – so the hair regrowth was not fully realised before zap it. If you are seeing 30% reduction at this stage you are doing well. but expect to keep going for some time yet. also bear in mind that if you were at a salon, legs,bikini, armpits – would be about 200-300GBP per treatment.
Comment by Phil — July 21, 2008 @ 3:39 pm |
I am wondering if you can tell me what results you saw on your bikini line. I want to buy Tria to treat my bikini, and would like to know what type of results you see there. Thanks for the blog, it has been very helpful!
Comment by Emily — July 21, 2008 @ 4:51 pm |
I agree with everything you said, Phil, especially about the cost, and I’m not giving up. At least not yet.
I think my disappointment is more a question of the amount of time it takes for me to treat a given area v. the results I’m seeing. I should also caveat that my percentages are estimates and not based on any specific ‘counts’. I also hope that what I’m seeing is actual hair loss and not wishful thinking. It’s tough to say because it’s too hot (100+F!) for me to go more than a couple of days without shaving.
Emily, I hate to say it but so far, my bikini line has been the toughest and most painful to treat and I’ve seen the least amount of hairloss in that area. I’ll keep you updated though!
Comment by RA — July 21, 2008 @ 7:18 pm |
I’ve been trying a Tria too, and I have to agree.. it’s a very, very slow process because of the batteries. You spend 20 or 30 minutes treating a few inches, then wait 2-3+ hours for a charge before you can continue. A full leg is over 400 square inches, and they recommend doing 50 pulses per square inch, but you only get 200-300 pulses on a charge. I wish they made the unit dual powered, like men’s electric shavers. I’d be happy to stay near a wall outlet.
If you think the Tria is painful at level 2, you should try a test zap at a commercial laser clinic. It’s at least twice as painful.
At any rate, I think the big question still yet to be answered is if the expense, patience, and pain are going to produce lasting results.
Comment by V — July 22, 2008 @ 2:26 am |
I’ve been trying a Tria too, and I have to agree.. it’s a slow process because of the batteries. A full leg is over 400 square inches, and they recommend doing 50 pulses per square inch, but you only get 200-300 pulses on a charge. I wish they made the unit dual powered, like men’s electric shavers. I’d be happy to stay near a wall outlet.
If you think the Tria is painful at level 2, you should try a test zap at a commercial laser clinic. It’s almost twice as painful and was unbearable for me without numbing cream.
At any rate, it seems the big question still yet to be answered is if the expense, patience, and pain are going to produce lasting results.
Comment by V — July 22, 2008 @ 4:06 am |
The biggest thing I wish I had done, was take before and after photographs.
I know at first, because I saw myself every day, I was very skeptical of any changes.
However, having “completed” treatments, I *know* there’s a drastic difference.
That being said though, I’m still not completely satisfied with the salon results. Hence my interest in yours with the Tria
Comment by Tally — July 23, 2008 @ 5:38 am |
I have been using Tria since mid June and am very happy with the results. I have a problem with facial hair but for the first time in over 15 years I feel like I have finally got it under control. The biggest negative people seem to have identified with it is the charge time but for smaller problem it is ideal. I have been treating chin, ’sideburns’, under the chin and the upper lip and the charge only ran out as I was finishing the second treatment.
If anyone is trying to work out if it is good value you need to factor in the convenience of being able to do this in your own home and the amount of time you would spend travelling to and from your nearest reputable salon. I found it value for money. I would have been charged for two facial areas if I had gone to a professional salon and it saved me a lot of time and not many salons are open at 10 at night
Comment by gigg1er — July 25, 2008 @ 12:55 pm |
That’s great news, Giggler.
I agree: I think this product may be better suited for smaller areas or areas that have been previously professionally lasered and need a touch-up.
It is important to note for anyone reading that the US version of this product is not approved for use on facial hair.
Comment by RA — July 25, 2008 @ 3:35 pm |
i have very fair skin and medium brown hair, and i’ve had numerous laser treatments (10 on my full legs and bikini, maybe 12 on my underarms). after all this, i still have probably 25% of my hair left, so the tria is great for doing touchups. it is disappointing when you spend so much money and you want the hair to be gone already, but it takes a LOT of treatments to get satisfactory results. good luck!
Comment by sarah — August 28, 2008 @ 4:09 am |
hi giggler
just wondering how your results have been now that it is 3 months later. i am thinking of gettnig tria for the same reasons as you and i am very interrested in your opinion
tina
Comment by tina — October 8, 2008 @ 6:54 pm |