Kayla Young
Who would have guessed you can zap away wrinkles and achieve glowing, smooth, beautiful skin from the comfort of your home? By using the Tria Age-Defying Smooth Beauty Laser, that dream is now possible without going to a salon or dermatologist.
Using this futuristic, FDA-approved, clinically-studied home light therapy device, your wrinkles will be less visible and your skin will be smoother and more youthful. This powerful device uses a proprietary 1440 nm non-ablative fractional laser technology, similar to what is used by professional dermatologists and plastic surgeons.
This article is a Tria Age Defying Laser Review. In it, I look at the power, effectiveness, and capabilities of the Tria Smooth Beauty treatment. I also look at some potential issues with the Tria system and things to watch out for.
Contents
Tria Age Defying Laser Review
Let’s start with a short video showing how the Tria Smooth Beauty Laser works, and then we’ll delve into the details:
Key Features of the Tria Age-Defying Laser
- Provides you with radiant, glowing, and refreshed look.
- The results are not visible instantly. Typical users need up to 12 weeks to see results, but some see results in only 2 weeks.
- Easy to use – you need only go over your face for a few minutes per day with the laser.
- There are three treatment power levels. The higher levels may become painful for a time.
- Rebuilds new collagen – stimulates it and makes your skin look smooth and supple.
- The FDA has approved this non-ablative fractional laser technology for home use.
- The Tria laser device has a 1-year warranty.
A Minimum of Four Weeks of Laser Treatment for Skin Rejuvenation!
The Tria Age Defying Laser uses a 1440 nm fractional non-ablative diode laser to essentially pierce the skin and rough it up (don’t worry: I’ll break that down in a second!). This process fosters the growth of new collagen. This collagen smooths skin and reduces wrinkles.
It is a great device to use after something like ultrasonic cavitation.
I found that after about four weeks of use, I started to start to see results from the Tria’s powerful technology. It was particularly evident around my eyes. There was a noticeable anti-aging effect, with firmer skin, more even pigmentation, and better skin tone and suppleness.
Unfortunately, using the Tria for this time was a little bit painful, especially on higher power levels. The pain goes away somewhat as you get used to it, though.
Sigh.
The things we endure for ageless beauty.
Let’s break down the basics of the Tria system, which will explain how it works.
How Do You Use the Tria SmoothBeauty Laser?
Tria’s SmoothBeauty lasers are built for safe and non-invasive wrinkle treatments. To use, you simply move the Tria’s wand slowly over your face for the required length of time. That time changes based on the power level you have the Tria set to.
The entire device is made of a high-quality plastic that feels comfortable to hold and is not particularly heavy.
This is important, as you’ll be holding it for as much as 10 minutes per day.
The package also includes a charging cradle that quickly charges the Tria when you are not using it. It takes about 2.5 hours to charge up, and there is a charging light to identify when it is being recharged.
When ready, pull the wand out of the charging station. It is fully wireless during use.
Steps to Use the Tria
- Clean your face with your usual cleanser or the Tria Priming Cleanser.
- Power up the Tria and set it to your preferred power level (start on level 1).
- Treat your face in zones, starting at zone 1 and moving through zone 4.
- Moisturize your skin and pamper it with something like the Tria Finishing Serum.
The Power Button
At the head of the wand, there is a big power button, which is the only operable control on the Tria.
The power button has a variety of functions, depending on the current state of the Tria and how long you hold it down.
Assuming the Tria is currently off, the power button does the following things:
- Hold button down for a few seconds: turns Tria on to Power Level 1
- Push button again: increases to Power Level 2
- Push button again: increases to Power Level 3
- Further button pushes will cycle through the power levels
- Hold button down for a few seconds: Shuts off the Tria
- Hold button down: Locks the Tria
- Hold button down again until 4 beeps sound, and then let go of the power: Unlocks the Tria
The lock function is a nice feature for those who have little kids who might get into some things they shouldn’t be playing with. When the lock is engaged, a blue padlock icon shines on the top of the Tria. This will ensure no one will accidentally trigger the laser.
However, know that if you keep holding the Power button down after 4 beeps, it will continue beeping but the Tria will not unlock. You need to hold it down for exactly 4 beeps and then let go to unlock the Tria.
Face Zones
Tria has split the face into four zones, each of which is timed separately. Here’s an image from the Tria Manual showing the zones:
You use the Tria SmoothBeauty by sliding the wand around on your face in a gentle side-to-side motion for the allotted time. The light on the Tria glows purple when in contact with your skin. When the Tria beeps and the green light triggers, it’s time to move to the next zone. This amount of time varies depending on the power level you’ve chosen.
Movement of the Laser
One thing to note is that you should only move the Tria in a left-right motion if you have the wand held vertically. Conversely, if you have the wand held horizontally (like you might while working on your forehead), you should only move the Tria in an up-down motion.
The image above, also from the manual, shows this movement in action.
The Three Power Levels
The Tria SmoothBeauty has three power levels. You can identify the power level you’re on by looking at the top of the Tria and counting the number of green dots displayed. In the image above, the Tria is on Power Level 1.
The first time you use the Tria, start by using it on Power Level 1 on your forearm as a test. This will let you understand what the sensations will be like under full use, and to ensure you don’t have an adverse reaction to the unit.
Once you’ve tested the Tria and are comfortable with it, you begin to use it on Power Level 1 on your face.
You might be tempted to just jump in at Power Level 2, but you shouldn’t. Start on Level 1 and you will likely feel some pain during use. After a few sessions, you can try upping it to Power Level 2, as you will have become accustomed to it. Eventually, you can progress to Power Level 3.
You use the Tria by sliding the wand around on your face in a gentle side-to-side motion for the allotted time. The light on the Tria glows purple when in contact with your skin. When the Tria beeps and the green light triggers, it’s time to move to the next zone.
This amount of time varies depending on the power level you’ve chosen.
- Power Level 1: 30 seconds per zone, 5 mJ of power output
- Power Level 2: 1 minute per zone, 10 mJ of power output
- Power Level 3: 2:30 per zone, 12 mJ of power
Does the Tria Age-Defying Laser Work?
The short answer to this question is yes! The longer answer is that, in order to get FDA approval, a clinical trial was done to test the effectiveness of the Tria system.
The results of this test are strongly persuasive. Let’s look at the basics of this trial here, and also discuss how home laser treatment works.
Clinical Trial
As mentioned above, the Tria Smooth Beauty Laser is FDA approved and underwent clinical trials to determine its effect. You can view the entire study here.
This study only used level 2 out of the 3 power levels available on the Tria. So if these results look intriguing to you, the results on the highest power level should be even better (though the pain threshold will be a bit higher).
Methods and Results
The study consisted of 34 individuals, who used the Tria Smooth Beauty Laser in a “split face” study. This essentially means they applied the Tria to one side of their face or the other. They used the Tria 5x per week for 12 weeks, for a total of 60 treatments.
Eight weeks after the trial study ended, a dermatologist reviewed the skin of everyone in the sample, without knowing which side of the face was treated for each individual participant. The study looked at the experience of using the Tria (i.e. the amount of pain) and the improvements in the skin due to the Tria, ranked on a 9-point scale.
In the end, an astounding 100% of patients in the study self-reported at least a 1-point improvement in their skin. The dermatologist found improvements in 75% of patients. Not as high, but still a very strong result.
Pain Levels During Treatment
The self-reported pain sensations were ranked on a scale of 1-10. Keep in mind that this study used Power level 2. Power level 3 may feature higher pain amounts, while Level 1 may feature lower pain level amounts.
The good news for those who are pain averse is that the trial found that pain levels went down as users got used to the treatments. The study found that the mean pain ranking users felt during the first week of treatment was a 2.9 out of 10. But by the end of the second week, that had declined to 1.6, and by the last week of treatment, pain had dropped to a 0.1 ranking — no pain at all.
Clinical Trial Findings
The trials were quite successful, with solid findings. As the trial found, “76% of users reported meaningful reduction in fines line and wrinkles and 95% of users noticed smoother skin and an improvement in overall appearance. Users reported visible results in as few as two weeks, with optimal results occurring for most users in eight weeks.”
1440 NM Laser
The wavelength on the Tria’s laser is 1440 Nanometers, or NM. Clinical studies have found that lasers in this frequency range are effective in treating a wide variety of skin conditions. Additionally, the impact of this wavelength on the skin is pretty mild, and does not cause significant irritation and pain.
Fractional vs. Non-Fractional Laser
Let’s next look at the difference between fractional and non-fractional lasers. Once again, the Tria Age-Defying Laser is a fractional design.
Fractional Laser
A fractional laser is a single beam of light that has been divided into multiple lower-power beams, shining from multiple points on the Tria. Each point from the Tria provides a fractional amount of the total power present in the laser at the beginning of its journey.
These fractional lasers strike the skin in clusters with plenty of space between each point. This ensures that for each bit of skin impacted by the laser, there is plenty of healthy skin in the vicinity to speed up collagen production for healing.
Non-Fractional Laser
A non-fractional laser is a laser that sends 100% of its power to a single point. This would produce a much more powerful effect concentrated on a single point, more like a laser pointer. Not particularly useful for a product like the Tria.
Ablative vs. Non-Ablative
Let’s look at ablative vs. non-ablative treatments. As mentioned above, the Tria SmoothBeauty Laser uses a non-ablative diode.
Ablative Treatments
Ablative Treatments use high-powered lasers to vaporize the epidermis and dermis, the top two layers of skin (see diagram above). Oh, and by vaporize, I mean it gets burned off.
The skin responds to these powerful treatments by generating large amounts of new collagen and elastin in an attempt to repair the area that has been damaged. As an entirely new epidermal and dermal layer is needed, this is a significant recovery process. But at the end, the two outer layers of skin are completely rejuvenated.
Regardless, this process is painful, lengthy, and poses a significant risk of infection.
Non-Ablative Treatments
Non-Ablative lasers pierce and damage the epidermis and dermis, but do not destroy them altogether. Once agitated and damaged, the body naturally produces new collagen and elastin in response to this damage. This new collagen and elastin causes swelling which repairs skin, rejuvenates the damaged area, and fills in wrinkles.
It’s less invasive and less powerful than an ablative treatment, but it is also much lower recovery time.
Common Questions About the Tria Age-Defying SmoothBeauty Laser
How long should you use the Tria Beauty laser?
You can use the Tria beauty laser for at least 12 weeks to achieve the best results. Use your laser five days a week after cleansing your face. When you are ready for the next cycle of treatment, treat it for another 12 weeks.
Users should keep in mind that at Power Level 3, it will take 10 minutes per day, 5 days a week, to cover all four zones. That is not an insignificant amount of time for treatment.
What does it feel like to use The Tria SmoothBeauty Laser?
Most users find that there is minor to moderate pain when using the Tria, especially the first few times. Fortunately, that pain tends to lessen and disappear completely in a few weeks. However, some users complain of continued pain.
As mentioned above, be sure to start on Power Level 1, and progress up the scale. There’s no reason to subject yourself to unnecessary pain by starting on a higher level.
After treatment, the skin is a little bit puffy, and many find their skin toneis a bit reddened. It is a similar pain level and sensation to a sunburn, which usually lasts for an hour or less before fading.
What are the possible side effects?
Even though this product is user-friendly for home use and non-invasive, certain side effects can occur. According to the company, you might feel discomfort, warming, or prickling. They can disappear in a few hours or reduce after each treatment when your skin gets used to the treatment.
Customers complain about the redness and hyperpigmentation as well (which the Tria should eventually target). They also mention that this treatment can hurt. Some customers said that they didn’t adapt to the laser even after a month of using it.
Also, some had issues with marks forming on the face. This seems to have been due to improper use of the Tria, moving the laser in the wrong direction.
Is it appropriate for all skin types, conditions, and ages?
According to the Tria company, the laser is appropriate for all skin types. You need to be an adult (18+) to use this product. Women who are pregnant or in the process of cosmetic chemical treatments, injections, or skin peel should consult with a doctor.
Don’t forget to remove all your makeup before using it.
Does the Tria Age-Defying Laser have any safety concerns?
Under proper use, there really are no safety concerns with the Tria laser system. However, improper use can cause harm.
The biggest concern is eye damage. Do not use the Tria near your eyes, and do not let the laser shine in your eyelids or on your eyes.
Additionally, you don’t want to use it if you have tattoos or skin damage like a cut or opening, or a skin infection.
You also should consult a dermatologist if you’re going to be using the Tria after a botox or other similar surgical treatment.
And finally, if you have an adverse reaction to the laser or an allergic reaction, you should stop use immediately. This is why you should test it on your arm, to begin with.
See the manual for further safety instructions.
How long does the Tria Last?
Some customers complained that the laser breaks after about a year of use and needs to be replaced. The common culprit is the battery, which can only be charged so many times before it can’t hold a charge. Still, most users find that it lasts for many years without issue.
Additionally, some users complained about the Tria breaking shortly after purchase.
Tria provides a 60-day return window and an additional 1-year warranty on their laser. So if you run into issues in less than a year, contact Tria for a replacement or repair. If it stops working beyond the 1-year time frame, you’ll have to contact Tria and see what they can do.
What skin preparation steps are needed prior to use?
After cleaning your face with a cleanser like the Tria Priming Cleanser, you’re ready for treatment.
Power up your laser, set the treatment level, and place the flat side against the skin. Glide it up and down, forwards and backward in the proper direction, and in an even motion, for the allotted time.
How to know the treatment for a specific zone is over?
The green light will warn you that the treatment for that zone is over, so your laser will automatically turn off. The time depends on the treatment level. Move onto the next zone until you’ve covered all four zones.
Tria recommends that you use their finishing serum after you’ve completed all zones for the day.
Material and Build Quality
The Tria is well constructed, and very few people have issues with the unit itself breaking. The main problem users run into is with the battery. It is designed to be charged 500 times at a minimum, and hopefully many more than that. That should give 18+ months of use, and hopefully 5 years of use.
Tria only provides a 1-year warranty, so if your battery fails after the 1-year, you’ll have to either purchase a new Tria, or see if Tria can do anything to fix your issue.
Cleaning and Maintenance
Tria laser is very easy to maintain and clean. Make sure the laser treatment tip is always clean. Otherwise, the makeup, oils, and other residues from your skin will block the laser light. Clean it with a lint-free cloth from time to time to keep your laser working perfectly.
If the other parts of your device become dirty, simply use a cloth and alcohol to clean them. This device doesn’t require regular maintenance other than regular charging.
For any other concerns, contact Tria customer support.
Accessories
The Tria Company suggests using their cosmetic cleansers and serums for best results, though you don’t necessarily need to. You can purchase the Tria Priming Cleanser and Finishing Serum for completion.
The Bottom Line
The Tria SmoothBeaty Age-Defying Laser is a powerful, effective product that has many singing its praises. It not only reduces wrinkles on the skin, but it also rejuvenates and refreshes. It’s easy to use. And while there is some pain, especially at the beginning, it’s a pretty simple home treatment that can be done in 10 minutes or less per day. Most will be able to fit it into your daily skincare routine without too much difficulty.
The biggest downfalls of the Tria laser are its relatively high price and complaints about its battery life. As you’re approaching the 1-year time frame on your Tria, check the battery as best you can. If it’s starting to fail, you should contact Tria for a replacement before that 1-year time frame is up.
And lastly, you need to be patient to see results with this beauty treatment. It can take at least 2 weeks, and for many up to 12 weeks, in order to really see results. So stick with it, and use it regularly at the recommended time frames.
Your skin will thank you!
- Visibly restore the natural luminosity...
