Here's What's Hot On CBS11TV.COM:
Oct 16, 2008 11:00 pm US/Central
FDA Approves At-Home Laser Hair Remover Device
PHILADELPHIA (CBS) ―
Erin Elmore, a 30-year-old Philadelphia lawyer, can throw on a little sexy dress anytime.
"You want to be able to feel comfortable when you show your legs or your arms and not feel you may have some unsightly hair growth," Elmore said.
It's an issue most women struggle with every day: trying to get rid of unwanted hair on legs and armpits and other places.
"Lets face it, no girl really enjoys shaving all that much," Elmore said. "It's a pain. It takes a lot time."
Lasers have become the new age, high tech way to zap hair. Until now that meant going to a doctor's office or spa.
Now there's a new, portable at home laser called
The Tria, which Elmore called her new best friend.
"You get the same professional results but you can do that at 10 o'clock at night while you're watching television or on the weekends. So I'd rather be in the privacy of my own home any time I want," she praised.
The laser works with quick bursts of light energy that's absorbed by the targeted hair, making it fallout in a week or two.
"It doesn't really kill the hair it just kind of makes it go into a very long resting phase, it can be for years," said Dr. Eric Bernstein with Main Line Center for Laser Surgery.
Bernstein, a paid spokesperson for the Tria Laser, explained because hair grows in cycles, the laser has to be used every few weeks initially. Hair does eventually grow back but it's thinner and lighter and can be zapped again.
"It varies by body part and by individual. So it's a pretty broad range, but it works great. And it's way more convenient than shaving, depilatory or waxing or any of those methods. It's, it's a great invention," Bernstein said.
A Philadelphia reporter, Stephanie Stahl, tried the laser and didn't feel any pain or discomfort.
The Tria laser has sensors that control the times and the amount of heat released to prevent injury.
"It's one of those things that once every girls tries, she's absolutely going to be obsessed with," Elmore beamed.
There are some limitations. The Tria laser costs $995 and it can't be used by people with dark skin or those with blond, red or grey hair because the laser works by targeting hair pigment.
(© MMIX, CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.)
Hollywood Hair
Click to enlarge
Stumble It!
