Silk ‘n SensEpil vs. Tria Laser 4X
Both the Silk ‘n SensEpil make our best of at-home laser hair removal devices round up and both have highly redeeming qualities. So when it comes down to the wire which one is actually the best?
We have created a comprehensive comparison of both devices, positives and negatives, to give you an idea which one could work better for you.
Quick Overview
Silk ‘n SensEpil
The Silk ‘n SensEpil is an IPL hair removal device that has been FDA approved for use at home.
The device comes with safety features, skin tone sensors and a replaceable lamp cartridge.
Tria Laser 4X
The Tria Laser 4X is a pulsed diode laser device that has also been FDA approved for use at home.
The device comes with a skin color sensor, an LED display screen, 5 power settings and is wireless.
There is no need to replace the cartridge in the Tria 4X.
Ease of use
Ergonomically both devices are easy to use and light in weight.
The Tria 4X may be a little tricky to handle if you are using it on hard to reach and/or bony areas as it will only work when the device covers the skin completely.
It is a little easier to use the Silk ‘n SensEpil in those areas as the head is larger and flatter.
On the other hand the Tria 4X is perfect for smaller areas that require more precision. The Tria 4X gets a few extra points because it is wireless and can be used anywhere.
Who can use it?
Both devices can be used on skin up to IV on the Fitzpatrick scale. The Silk ‘n SensEpil will not flash if it detects a skin tone over IV (see Safety features below).
Consumer Warning
Those with pale skin and dark coarse hair usually respond the best to IPL and laser treatment, and the treatment doesn’t usually work on light hairs (grey, blond and red).
The Tria 4X actually locks if it detects a skin tone over IV. This limits the possibility of burning and scarring risks on darker skins.
Skin Type | Skin Colour | Hair Color (darkest) | Eye Colour | Description |
|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | White or very pale | Blonde | Blue, grey, green | Always burns, never tans |
2 | Pale white with beige tint | Chestnut or dark blond | Blue | Always burns, sometimes tans |
3 | Beige to light brown (olive) | Dark brown | Dark brown | Sometimes burns, always tans |
4 | Light to moderate brown | Black | Brown | Rarely Burns, always tans |
5 | Medium to Dark Brown | Black | Brownish black | Rarely burns, tans more than average |
6 | Dark brown to black | Black | Black | Never burns |
The technology is developing rapidly so this will most likely change in years to come, but for the time being if you have light hair it would be a waste of time and money to purchase one of these devices.
Men and women can use both devices, although men may need more treatment sessions due to their hair being coarser then women’s, especially on areas like the chest and back.
Where can it be used?
The Tria 4X can be used anywhere, but the manufacturer recommends avoiding the eyebrows due to the risk of eye damage. It is also not advised for men to use the device on their faces due to the texture and coarseness of male beard hair.
The device has not been tested effectively to be safe on this type of hair. The Silk ‘n SensEpil can also be used on all areas of the body as it contains a safety trigger that locks the device when it is not touching the skin.
Tip: The manufacturer recommends covering the lips with masking tape when using the device on the upper lip area.
Length of treatment
Silk ‘n SensEpil ’s manufacturer recommends 3-4 sessions over the first 8 weeks and then one session every 4 weeks until you begin to see results.
According to clinical research performed, 78% of users saw significant hair reduction one month after a full 3 month treatment, and 72% still saw the same 3 months afterwards.
Tria 4X’s manufacturer claims you will see significant results within 3 months of use.
Some users claim they see results within 5 weeks, others needed a bit longer than 3 months. An outside survey produced the following results: 70% of reduction in hair growth after 2 sessions and 73% after the 8th treatment.
In any case, if your skin tone is I-IV on the Fitzpatrick scale, you have dark hair and you use the device frequently you will most likely see good to excellent results within 3-6 months of use with both options.
As with both at-home and professional laser and IPL treatments, several sessions are needed in order to catch hair at all points of their lifecycle.
For both devices touch up sessions will most likely be needed every now and then.
Coverage per treatment
The Silk ‘n SensEpil has a larger head than the Tria 4X and with its 3.5 seconds between pulses it can cover a large area of skin in no time.
With its much larger spot size (6 cm squared compared to the Tria 4X’s 0.793 cm squared) it is better suited to larger areas.
On the flipside, this means that the Tria 4X is better suited for smaller areas where more precision and accuracy is necessary (upper lip and bikini line for example).
If you are looking to treat only large areas rapidly you would be better off with the Silk ‘n SensEpil, but the Tria 4X’s slower rate and smaller spot size really don’t make that much of a difference.
Treatment for an area the size of 2 lower legs takes about 30 minutes with the Silk ‘n SensEpil and about 45 minutes with the Tria 4X.
The only issue with the latter is that the battery lasts at the most 40 minutes before it requires a recharge (less if you are using the higher settings) and it takes 2 hours to fully recharge.
This is really a minor issue in most cases as a typical session lasts 20-30 minutes.
Safety & Special features
Both devices come with a skin detector feature and will not work on skin tones above IV on the Fitzpatrick scale.
Both devices also come with 5 different intensity settings.
The Silk ‘n SensEpil will not emit a pulse if the device does not cover the skin correctly. The Tria 4X can be used wirelessly and the charge lasts approximately 30-40 minutes.
The Silk ‘n SensEpil cannot be used wirelessly so you are limited by the cord when using, but at the same time do not have to wait for the battery to charge to use it.
Cost
The Silk ‘n SensEpil retails at $200 however you will need to replace the light cartridge every 1,500 flashes. This is about the equivalent to 2 full body sessions.
Light cartridges cost about $85 for 3. The Tria 4X retails at $449, so at lot more expensive than the Silk ‘n SensEpil, however it does not require replacement cartridges.
It comes with an average of 200,000 pulses, so more than enough to treat a full body completely, several times, which in the end makes it more than worth its price.
Conclusion
Both devices are on par with each other in terms of efficacy, ease of use and who can use the device.
Silk ‘n Silk ‘n SensEpil | Tria 4X | Both | |
|---|---|---|---|
Ease of use | Equal results | ||
Who can use it? | Equal results | ||
Where can it be used? | Better for larger areas | Better for smaller areas | |
Length of Treatment | Equal results | ||
Coverage per Treatment | Covers more area faster | ||
Pain | Mild discomfort | Stinging sensation | |
Safety & Special Features | Wireless | ||
Cost | Cheaper upfront, but replacement cartridges bring price up | More expensive upfront but one-time cost |
It really comes down to preferences, whether you prefer wireless or don’t mind the cord; whether you are aiming to cover large areas rapidly or not, or if you prefer to pay the full cost upfront or are fine with buying replacement cartridges along the way.
Both the Silk ‘n SensEpil and the Tria 4X are greatly efficient devices that do not disappoint.
