Smooth as Silk

By: Ruth Donnelly
Created on 20th January 2011

If you’re planning on getting cosy under the mistletoe this Christmas, you might want to make sure you’re fuzz free first. We take a look at the top two home hair removal systems on the market

For many of us, winter is a time to cover up and take a break from hair removal, but if you’re considering a permanent reduction in your body hair using laser or intense pulsed light, now is the time to act.

With the credit crunch showing few signs of abating, in-clinic options seem a costly measure, so we decided to investigate the best machines to use at home.

The big boys

In the world of home use hair removal devices, there are two major players. The first is the Silk’n, from Israeli company Home Skinovations, and the second is the Tria, developed by Tria Beauty.

Granted, neither option is as cheap as a razor, home waxing kit or hair removal cream, but both offer the benefit of a longterm reduction in body hair. So which works best?

Silk’n

The Silk’n uses intense pulsed light technology. It deploys energy density of only ten per cent of the density deployed by in-clinic IPL machines and lasers currently on the market.

This low energy can’t create complications and is therefore very safe to the user’s skin. It has proven to be clinically effective at achieving long term hair clearance, is easy to use, fast, safe and users report that the hair removal process with Silk’n is pain-free – more of a warm, tingling sensation.

The Silk’n is FDA cleared and can treat most skin and hair, except skin types four to six on the Fitzpatrick scale, which need to be treated with in-clinic devices.

The device is designed to be used on the body, but can be used on the face from the cheekline down, so you can use it to get rid of any unwanted facial fuzz before the Christmas party!

Tria

The Tria is a diode laser, which is FDA cleared for use on the body but not on the face. It will work best on those with medium to light skin tones and dark hair – white, grey, blonde and red hair will not benefit from the system and, as with the Silk’n, darker skin tones need to be treated in clinic.

Although full safety testing has been carried out, the Tria laser is stronger than other home-use lasers, so extra care should be taken when using the device.

Users report that the Tria is more painful to use than the Silk’n – like a ‘snap’ from a rubber band on legs and eyewatering on the bikini line! – and that hair takes longer to remove, although hair reduction is comparable.

The winner

Overall, Silk’n wins hands down – it is faster and less painful than the Tria, treats a greater range of skin and hair colours and can be used on the face as well as the body.

With Christmas and New Year just around the corner, now might be the time to invest in a product that will have you hairfree for all the parties, and still silky smooth come summer!