TRIA At-Home Laser Hair Removal Device Cleared by FDA

TRIA is First Entry to Home-Based Device Market Featuring Diode Laser
                       Technology for Hair Removal

   PLEASANTON, Calif., Feb. 7 /PRNewswire/ -- SpectraGenics, a leader in
light-based therapeutic beauty devices, today announced over-the-counter
(OTC) clearance from the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA)
for their patented hand-held laser hair removal device designed for at-home
use. The TRIA is the first hair removal laser to enter the U.S. home-based
device market, an industry projected to grow exponentially over the next
three years.

   "The FDA clearance is the culmination of many years of research,
clinical testing and innovative product design efforts," said Robert Grove,
PhD, CEO, SpectraGenics. "Our engineers are the same scientists who
developed the first and gold-standard professional diode laser hair removal
system over 10 years ago which is still used by physicians nationwide.
We've invested significant resources to harness that same light-based
technology to deliver a safe, effective way for consumers to treat unwanted
hair in the privacy of their homes."

   The TRIA device is the first at-home device to feature a diode laser
specially designed to be safe and effective for at-home use. SpectraGenics
has been selling a version of the TRIA, called i-Epi, in Japan since 2005.
The TRIA is the first in a series of at-home science-based beauty devices
to be pioneered by SpectraGenics.

   "I have been performing laser hair removal in my office for 12 years
and welcome the arrival of TRIA as an adjunct to professional laser hair
removal," said Eric F. Bernstein, MD, Clinical Associate Professor at the
University of Pennsylvania. "TRIA is simple, safe and very effective. Many
of my patients will be able to use TRIA for touch-ups in between visits as
well as on other areas not treated in-office to achieve and maintain
beautiful results, and I expect it to increase the number of patients I see
for laser hair removal. The TRIA was developed by the engineers who created
the diode hair removal laser I use in my office today."

   Professional laser hair removal is consistently the leading
non-surgical cosmetic treatment for women 34 years and under, and the
second most popular procedure for women over 35, according to the American
Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery. The at-home device market is
relatively new and expected to grow exponentially with the introduction of
products targeted for treatment of hair, acne, wrinkles and skin
rejuvenation.

   TRIA will be available Spring 2008 from medical professionals and
select retailers, as well as online at http://www.triabeauty.com.

   SpectraGenics, Inc., the leader in light-based therapeutic beauty
devices, gives men and women the freedom to incorporate clinically-proven
aesthetic technologies into their personal care regimen. In 1993 Robert
Grove, Ph.D., and a team of American dermatologists and engineers developed
the first diode laser for hair removal utilized by physicians in their
medical practices. In 2003, these individuals founded SpectraGenics, Inc.
and assembled an internationally renowned team of experts in the field of
aesthetic lasers to begin the development of its flagship TRIA device and
future innovations in science-driven consumer beauty products.

Electrolysis vs. Laser Hair Removal

Get rid of facial hair forever

Hair styles, dos and don'ts

Question: Electrolysis vs. Laser Hair Removal

Maya, a reader from the UK, wrote in asking me about her best options for removing hair from her chin and upper lip. She was curious about electrolysis and laser treatments but was worried about the process involved, including having her upper lip shaved before a laser treatment (she didn't want her hair to grow back thicker).

Answer: Dear Maya, I suffer from chin hairs myself, so you are in good company here. Lasers and electrolysis are the only options for permanent hair removal on the chin and upper lip, but there are pros and cons to both.

Laser Hair Removal

Lasers work best on dark hair, light skin because the laser targets melanin which is found in dark hair. There are some lasers that now successfully remove blonde hairs, but from what I've read, they've not yet perfected them. If you have dark skin, beware also, because the laser will target the melanin in your skin as well, which can cause pigmentation problems.

The pain factor I've found lasers aren't as painful as waxing, but are more painful than depilatory creams or tweezing. I am going through laser hair removal on my legs right now (read all about it here) and it's working great. A pulsed light from the laser can feel like a rubber band snapping your skin. I recommend taking a couple Advil an hour before.

How much time, how much money? The good news is a laser session on the upper lip and chin is fast compared to the legs and bikini. Each session will take about 10 minutes. You'll need 5-6 treatments spaced four weeks apart. The bad news is laser hair removal is not affordable for everyone. Depending on where you live, each session can cost $150-$200.

To shave or not to shave? As for your concern about shaving, you may have to shave the area for a particular machine to work. But the good news is that all the hair falls out within 10-14 days. I have fast-growing leg hair, so when I get laser hair removal the hair grows in immediately per its usual tricks, but then it magically falls out (with a bit of exfoliating help on my part) within that magical 14-day period. Depending on how fast your hair grows, you might have a bit of coarseness for a few days, but it should all fall out.

And just so you know, shaving never makes hair grow back thicker. Virgin, never shaved hairs have fine, soft ends. Shaved ends are coarser. This is why the hair that grows back after you shave seems to be thicker.

Are results guaranteed? Results, unfortunately, are never guaranteed with laser hair removal. You can expect an 80% reduction in hair growth, but some people see more, some less. I have had great success with lasers, while a friend of mine turned to electrolysis because all his back hair grew back after his laser treatments.

Find a reputable aesthetician Beware the cheap places that offer discounts. You want to make sure you are going to a credible, licensed aesthetician who is most likely using the best, most up-to-date machines available. City Search has a salon section where users rate salons in cities.

Electrolysis

Electrolysis is a more guaranteed form of hair removal and works on dark AND light hair.

How it works The aesthetician inserts a sterile needle into every hair follicle. A low-level electrical current kills the follicle. Because electrolysis focuses on one hair at a time, it can be a tedious process, which makes it ideal for small areas like the brows, upper lip and chin.

The pain factor The pain from electrolysis is greater than laser and it may feel like 20 pricks to your one for laser hair removal. Cost is about $60 for a typical 30-minute session, but the con is you need about 15-30 visits to see the best results (ouch!)

Are results guaranteed? Yes. Unlike laser and pulsed lights, electrolysis kills every follicle the aesthetician treats.

Is Laser Hair Removal Right For You

The ideal candidate for laser hair removal is a fair skinned individual with dark hair. Lucky for them, that's who's most likely to have it done.

There is no treatment that removes all hair forever. This is the closest thing, but it doesn't happen overnight. April Baumeyer never considered laser hair removal until she hurt her arm in a car wreck, making it hard to shave under her arms.

During laser hair removal, a spray cools down the epidermal layer of the skin before the laser pulses. It's energy is then transformed into heat which disables the hair follicle without harming the surrounding skin. "It kind of reminds me of getting your ear pierced. It's a little sting, but as soon as she puts her finger on it, it goes away," explained Baumeyer.

The laser likes contrast, such as dark hair on light skin. Otherwise, it may leave light or dark patches on the skin. And you don't have to let the hair grow out beforehand.

Laser technician Kris Culbertson said, "The laser energy works in the hairs that are in the anagen stage of growth. So, the hair growth cycle grows in three different stages at all times. So, that's why this is not a one-time treatment."

Hair that's lying dormant will get zapped next time around. All patients require at least two to three treatments, anywhere from one to two months apart. In the meantime, patients may wonder what's going on. "It almost appears as if the hair is starting to grow, but it's just starting to fall out of that hair follicle mouth," explained Culbertson.

Shaving is still necessary for April for a few more weeks. Then the hair will fall out completely. For most patients, that redness and swelling goes away in two hours. And they can shave 24 hours later.

That may not be the case for people who take certain kinds of medication that make them more sensitive to light, such as acne medication or St. John's Wort. So those patients would need a different type of laser.

This procedure isn't cheap. It can cost $300 for a small area and up to $1,500 for a large one like your legs. And that's just for the first treatment, but the price does go down for every treatment after that.

Gilette Invests in Home Laser Hair Removal Research

Now we are talking - home laser hair removal. I just cannot bring myself to go into a doctor for hair removal. Too much expense, I just can’t rationalize it. I can, however, rationalize DIY laser removal. Unfortunately that isn’t available - yet. Gilette has just invested a big chunk of money into the development of a home laser system - so our time may be coming. [Source]

Now I am not saying laser in the doctors office is a bad thing - only that I am stingy with my cash and would rather shuck out money to a department store than a doctor. If you are looking into going into the office for a laser procedure, you might be interested in this FAQ from Cutera, about laser hair removal with their product, the Pro Wave:

Did You Know?

* Laser Hair Removal is the most requested cosmetic dermatology treatment in the U.S. among females
* ProWave Laser Hair Removal can be used on both light and dark skin tones safely and effectively - - wavelengths can be adjusted depending on the skin type
* ProWave offers faster treatments using larger spot size and is great for backs and legs
* ProWave is twice as fast as other hair removal systems

The ProWave Difference

The ProWave hair removal system delivers a specially tailored light source for permanent hair reduction. Cutera’s newest hair removal innovation provides treatment for a wide range of skin types. An additional patient benefit is the ability of the handpiece to treat large areas such as a women’s legs and men’s backs – quickly and safely.

What do ProWave treatments feel like?

When the pulse of light is delivered, some patients experience a mild pinching or stinging sensation. No local anesthesia or pain medication is typically required; however, some patients may prefer to use a topical anesthetic when sensitive areas are treated.

How many ProWave treatments will I need?

Most areas require 3-6 treatments. However, the number of treatments required for optimal long-term benefits depends on multiple factors – hair thickness, the area treated and your hair’s growth cycle. Each hair grows at a different rate and goes through three distinct phases: growth, regression, and resting. ProWave treatments work by disabling the hair that is principally in the active growth phase at the time of treatment. Since other hairs will enter this active growth phase at different times, additional treatments may be necessary to disable all of the hair follicles in a given area.

What happens after the treatment?

Immediately following your ProWave treatment, the area may appear a bit red and swollen. Three to seven days after the treatment you may experience what seems to be regrowth of hair. Actually, most of these hairs are being shed as a result of your treatment and are not regrowing. Between treatments you should not wax or pluck your hair, but it is permissible to shave.

Are there any restrictions on my activity after treatment?

Following the treatment, you can return to your normal activities right away, but some redness may occur. The use of sunscreen is recommended on any treated areas exposed to the sun. In addition, your physician may recommend that you use a specially formulated skin care product line or prescribe a skin care regimen especially formulated for your skin type.

What are the possible side effects?

Although patients experience few side effects, the most commonly noticed are slight reddening and local swelling of the skin, similar to a sunburn. These effects typically last for several hours or less. In rare instance, blistering may occur. Consult with your medical professional for complete information on the benefits and risks of treatment.

How does ProWave compare with other hair removal methods?

Shaving, waxing, and depilatory creams are all temporary methods which must be repeated on a frequent basis. ProWave offers permanent hair reduction for lasting results.

How does ProWave compare with electrolysis?

Electrolysis is a tedious, invasive and painful process that involved inserting a needle into each individual hair follicle and delivering an electrical charge to them one at a time. Electrolysis often requires years of treatments at regular intervals. By delivering light energy to hundreds of hair follicles at a time, ProWave effectively treats an area in just seconds that would take over an hour with electrolysis.

Why is ProWave a good choice over other hair removal systems?

Using the latest technology in hair removal, ProWave can rapidly treat large areas safely and effectively on patients with a wide range of skin types. The cooled handpiece increases patient comfort and minimizes the adverse skin reaction commonly seen with other light sources.

Laser Hair Removal :: The First Followup

The first day after the laser hair treatment, I noticed little purple dots when I got home from work. They instructed me to put their special lotion on 4x/day, but I forgot the bottle at home, so only had it on once in the morning. I called, of course, and Claudia the office manager was very sympathetic and instructed me to apply the lotion and call if it got worse. I applied the lotion, and all was better in a few hours.

That weekend was the week in the country, and I applied religiously, plus covered the lasered areas in their special 65 Total Blocker. Another successful move. No sun. No purple dots. Just smooth skin. One notable thing is a freckle on my leg must have gotten zapped (remember the laser is attracted to the contrast of dark pigment and light skin), because it looked raised. I will bring this up at my September visit.

Did the hair fall out yet from the laser blasts? No. I am not aloud to pluck or cream, as that would encourage the hair follicles. I have been shaving, so I know that the hair is not out yet. We'll see after the second zap if there is a difference. It is scheduled to take 6 sessions. Some people see results sooner, some don't. I have a feeling my hair will be a little resilient (but not for long...hehehe)

Laser Hair Removal

Unwanted hair growth may appear on many areas of the body including the upper lip, sideburns, chin, ears, chest, back, armpits (axillae), legs, fingers, feet, or toes and is annoying for both men and women. Lasers help eliminate unwanted hair.

Causes of Excessive Hair Growth

Excessive hair growth is classified as either hypertrichosis or hirsuitism. Hypertrichosis is the presence of excess
hair in a normal or abnormal pattern. This may be inherited (genetic), or due to medications, hormones, malnutrition, tumors, or metabolic problems. Hirsuitism is the presence of excess hair in women in a male pattern such as the beard, mustache, or lower abdomen, and may be due to hormonal problems, medications, tumors, or heredity.

Female with hirsuitism of the chin and neck

One year after three IPL treatments

Hair Removal Methods

There are many ways to remove unwanted hair including shaving, plucking, electronic tweezers, radiofrequency tweezers, waxing, depilatories (creams), and electrolysis (inserting a needle into each hair follicle one at a time followed by an electric spark to burn out the follicle). Most of these methods, however, are temporary. A topical cream called eflornithine can be applied to slow hair growth on the face in women, but must be used on an ongoing basis. Lasers offer the only method for permanent hair reduction.

Male with back hair before IPL

Six months after three IPL treatments

Types of Lasers and How They Work

A large area of the skin can be treated at one time making laser hair removal cost-effective and faster than other methods. Lasers send a low-energy beam through the skin that is absorbed by dark pigment (melanin) present in the shaft of the hair follicles. Since hair cycles as it grows, repeated treatments are necessary to destroy about 80 percent of the hairs. Different types of lasers may be used. The ruby, alexandrite, and diode were the first lasers approved for hair reduction. The intense pulsed light (IPL) systems are also used. These lasers work best on light-skinned, dark-haired individuals because dark pigments in the surrounding skin cannot absorb the light they emit. Lasers with longer wavelengths, such as the Nd:YAG lasers, have the ability to treat darker skin types including African-American skin.

Male with undesired neck hair before alexandrite

One year after two alexandrite laser treatments

Preoperative Consultation

Patients interested in laser hair removal should consult a dermatologist who will make an assessment of:

• Skin type (i.e., ability to tan or to burn)
• Hair color
• Thickness and location of hair
• Presence of tan
• Previous hair removal methods
• Medical history including ovarian or thyroid disease, medications, history of abnormal scarring, history of cold sore (herpes simplex) outbreaks in the treatment area, or past isotretinoin use
• Presence of tattoos or moles in the treatment area

After the preoperative evaluation, the appropriate laser and treatment settings can be determined. Realistic patient expectations should be discussed including the need for multiple treatment sessions, the potential need for maintenance treatments, and the possibility of variable responses to treatment.

Pretreatment Instructions

Before treatment, patients are advised to avoid tanning and sunless tanners. Broad-spectrum (UVA/UVB) sunscreens with SPF 15 or higher should be used. No plucking, waxing, or electrolysis should be done, although shaving or depilatory creams can be used. The site to be treated may be shaved one to two days prior to laser treatment. A prophylactic (protective) oral antiviral medication may be started the day prior to treatment to suppress the possibility of developing a herpes simplex infection in the treatment area. An oral antibiotic may be prescribed if the nasal or perianal skin is to be treated.

Laser Treatment

On the day of treatment, the area should be clean and free of cosmetics. A topical anesthetic cream may be applied prior to treatment. Most lasers have a cooling device in the form of a cool gel, refrigerant spray, or water-cooled contact piece that lessens the patient's discomfort. The device should protect the skin from excessive heating as well as the potential of skin darkening or lightening. Everyone in the room must wear protective eyewear during the laser procedure.

In general, three or more treatments are required at each site to achieve permanent hair growth reduction. Darker hair responds best to the laser, while lighter hair (white, gray, or red) is less responsive. Topical medications can be used in an effort to increase the receptiveness of lighter hair to the laser treatment.

Female with hirsuitism of the arms, before IPL treatment

One year after three IPL treatments

The laser pulses feel like the snapping of a rubber band or warm pinpricks against the skin. Ideally, the immediate response is vaporization of the hair shaft. Slight swelling and redness around the hair follicles appear within a few minutes. Ice packs may be applied to the skin following treatment, and over-the-counter pain relief medicine may be taken as needed before and after treatment. If localized blistering occurs, a topical antibiotic ointment is applied once or twice daily until healed. A mild topical steroid cream may be applied to reduce swelling and redness. Patients are instructed to avoid sun-exposure and to use a broad-spectrum (UVA/UVB) sunscreen with SPF 30 after the laser treatments. Cosmetics may be applied to the treated skin.

Side Effects

Side effects of laser hair removal treatments may include pain, perifollicular edema (swelling around the hair follicle due to excessive fluid), and erythema (redness and inflammation) lasting one to three days. Blistering, herpes simplex outbreaks, and bacterial infections also can occur. Temporary skin lightening or darkening, especially in darker skin types, or in patients with a recent tan, may be seen. Permanent skin pigment change or scarring is very rare. Loss of freckles or lightening of moles in the treatment area may occur, as well as darkening or lightening of tattoos.

Laser Hair Efficacy

The percentage of hairs removed per session varies in different body locations, with areas of thin skin (for example, bikini and armpits) generally showing a better response than areas of thick skin (for example, the back and chin). Approximately 10-25 percent reduction in hair growth can be expected with each treatment. Treatments are repeated every four to eight weeks. The hair that re-grows tends to be lighter and finer in texture.

Laser Hair Treatments

Laser hair reduction should be performed under the direct supervision of a dermatologist, a physician who specializes in the medical, surgical, and cosmetic treatment of hair and hair diseases, and who is trained to help manage hair and skin problems.

Laser hair removal safe, painless procedure

Laser technology now offers a safe and effective way for men and women to eliminate unwanted hair and not have to worry about shaving.

Laser technology now offers a safe and effective way for men and women to eliminate unwanted hair and not have to worry about shaving.

Allie Blazzard, owner and family nurse practitioner at Amara Med Spa, located at 558 E. Riverside Drive Suite 200, said laser hair removal is the use of a laser attracted to pigmented hair, which helps to stimulate hair reduction by affecting the hair in its active growth cycle and reducing 90 percent of hair. It works by using a certain type of laser that attracts the melanin pigment of the skin and hair, then the laser targets the hair follicle long enough that the heat creates inflammation, but not long enough that the heat will cause damage to the surrounding tissue.

“More men are patients than women, and they age anywhere from early teens to 60s and 70s,” Blazzard said.

Ashley Farmer, a master aesthetician at Southern Utah Laser Aesthetics, located at 515 S. 300 E. Suite 201, said she sees male and female patients, particularly women 19 and older, and are now receiving older patients because of the new laser used that eliminates lighter colored hair.

Determining a candidate for laser hair removal and the number of treatments will depend on skin color, hair color (body hair), and medical history. For example, the pigment melanin is a chemical within the body that enables skin and body hair to have color, so with enough melanin under the skin, the hair turns darker.

The more melanin an individual has in his or her hair, the more effective the laser will be, according to hairremovaljournal.com. This is because the laser attracts melanin and that means the more melanin, the darker the hair color, and the easier it is for the laser to distinguish which hairs to eliminate. The same goes for skin color. With enough melanin produced under the skin, it turns a darker color. Thus, the more melanin in the skin, the more likely it is that the laser is going to target the skin rather than the hair, causing damage to the surrounding tissue leaving scars, redness and swelling.

Farmer said the worst side effect she has seen from the treatment is blistering. Arcing causes blistering, which occurs when the laser is on the hair follicle too long. Therefore, light skin and dark hair are the ideal combination, but there are lasers that treat other combinations.

The number of treatments an individual would need depends, again, on the pigment and the location of the hair. It also depends on whether the patient follows protocol for staying out of the sun and avoiding any activity that may cause damage to the skin.

Following the initial treatment, touch-ups are needed to ensure customer satisfaction and the procedure was done accordingly.

“The No. 1 reason (for laser hair removal),” Blazzard said, “is [the patients] hate shaving or have some type of follicular disorder.”

Laser hair removal is by doctors to be safe and painless. Patients experience long-lasting hair removal, and the treatment is useful for removing hair from a large area.

Farmer said, “Unwanted hair is gone, and you no longer have to deal with it.”

Some disadvantages to laser hair removal are dieting. Dieting itself does not have effects on laser hair removal, but the chemical beta-carotene, found in carrots, vitamin A supplements, squash and other vegetables, does. When absorbed in the body, it turns the skin an orange or yellow color and allows the laser to absorb the laser energy of the skin, preventing it from reaching the hair follicle.

Some other disadvantages, Blazzard said, are the cost, the time it takes, and the situation may be uncomfortable, depending on the area of treatment.

Disadvantages “are far and few,” Farmer said. While there may be blistering, having lighter colored hair also means the patient will need more touch-ups than a darker colored individual.

After a decision has been made to get laser hair removal, the next step is to choose a provider. Dr. Eric F. Bernstein, medical director at Mainline Cosmetic Laser Center, wrote an article titled “Choosing Your Doctor” on hairremovaljournal.com that gives some helpful tips for laser hair removal. Bernstein said the No. 1 factor is to choose someone who is committed to doing laser hair removal regularly, preferably a trained physician.

It's important that the physician is someone who knows his or her specialty, understands the technology, and knows what he or she is doing. It is crucial to know the doctor or physician’s history in order to feel comfortable with him or her.

Bernstein also included several important questions that every patient opting for laser hair removal should ask before receiving treatment: Do you own your own lasers? What is your specialty? How many different lasers do you own? Are you a board-certified physician? Where did you get your training?

It also is a good idea to do some research about the specific treatment and the facility.

Although laser hair removal or any other cosmetic procedure can be costly, many men and women find the lasting effects of the treatment more than worth the cost. Pricing for laser hair removal depends mainly on the area of treatment and how many extra visits are needed to complete the procedure. According to a Southern Utah Laser Aesthetics brochure, the pricing is based on the area being treated and whether the whole body or extremity is being treated.

“The bigger the area, the bigger the price,” Blazzard said.

According to hairremovaljournal.com, the American Society of Plastic Surgeons recorded the national average cost for one treatment to be $429. In addition, laser hair removal is not covered by any insurance company for the reason that it is considered a cosmetic procedure, therefore, the patient is solely responsible for payment.

To help with those payments, patients can receive financial help from the facility of treatment. Some facilities have programs that allow patients the convenience of low interest so they can pay off his/her treatment.

Amara Med Spa and Southern Utah Laser Aesthetics offer a financing plan called CareCredit. This plan is for procedures of $300 or more and offers up to 12 months of no interest if the minimum amount is paid in full on the due date.

An alternative is a low interest payment plan. This plan is for patients who receive procedures of $1,000 or more and offers low monthly payments up to 60 months with an annual percentage rate of 11.9 percent. CareCredit can be used at other medical facilities for different medical procedures and can be applied for three different ways. Ask for an application at the facility, online at www.carecredit.com, or by phone at (800) 365-8295.