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Both Tria Beauty Laser 4X and Braun Silk-expert Pro 5 IPL rank among the best hair removal systems that can be used safely at home, both are easy to use and effective, FDA-cleared, and come with different intensity levels to choose from.
But the two devices are very different from each other. The most important difference is that while Tria 4X uses Diode laser, Braun Silk-expert 5 relies on IPL technology, which means many differences in terms of ease of use, lifetime, functionalities, speed, and more.
In order to help you make the best choice, we will provide you with a thorough comparison review between the two hair removal devices.
The Tria Laser 4X was launched in 2008 with Diode Laser Technology, it is the only FDA-cleared laser hair removal device. It targets and permanently disables the hair follicle to inhibit hair growth on the face and body for permanent results.
The fact that it uses Diode laser makes it the most powerful hair removal device there is. It safely delivers over three times more hair-eliminating energy than any other hair removal device. The device is perfect for people who want to eliminate their facial and body hair once and for all.
Key Features & Specifications
Most powerful hair removal system
Skin tone sensor
Cordless operation
One laser window (5mm)
Number of intensity levels: 5
LED digital display
Battery operation – 30 minutes
Weight- 560g
Shape & Design
The elegant Tria 4X feels well robust. It comes with a gun-shaped white smooth plastic with a slight sheen. Both Braun Pro 5 and Tria Beauty 4X have superb shapes and designs. However, the long pink silicone-coated handle of the Tria 4X is more comfortable and easier to use.
There is no trigger to press, so you can wrap your fingers securely around the slenderest part of the handle and feel no strain.
Skin Tones & Hair Colors
The Tria 4X is safe for light-medium skin tones, Fitzpatrick types I to IV; it is not suitable for dark and black skin. It works on black to dark blonde hair.
The good news is that Tria Laser has a built-in skin sensor so that you can test your skin before treatment. The laser will unlock only if your skin tone is safe for use.
User-Friendliness
This Tria device is user-friendly, intuitive, and guarantees safe usage. It may hurt a little because it is a laser treatment, but it is gentler in use than the laser treatment at an aesthetic clinic.
According to Amazon customer reviews, the device is very gentle that you could use it on your face without worrying about any scars. It does not damage your skin at any cost; instead, it makes it softer and smoother.
Power Intensity & Safety
The Tria 4X comes with five intensity levels, level 1 being the lowest (7 J/cm2), and five the highest (20 J/cm2), which is three times more energy than any IPL hair removal device. The higher the intensity, the better your results will be.
Regarding safety, Tria laser 4X comes with a skin sensor that will unlock only if your skin tone is safe for use, it also comes with an additional eye safety mechanism that ensures the laser only operates if the entire window is covered by your skin. The device has also been FDA-cleared and clinically proven to be safe for home-use.
Corded or Cordless
The Tria Beauty Laser 4X is cordless, so it can be maneuvered with ease. While most IPL devices need a cord during use, this device is cordless, increasing the range of places you can use it. This creates a more comfortable experience.
You can’t use the device while it’s charging, but it only takes two hours to charge up. One battery charge is enough for about 30 minutes of operation.
Lifetime of use
Tria laser 4X is designed to provide about 90,000 flashes. However, the laser energy is powerful, so the results are longer-lasting.
Note that you should charge the device each month or so even if it is not in use in order to maintain the battery life as long as possible.
Number and Frequency of Sessions, And Results
For the start-up regimen, you will need about eight sessions, one every two weeks, but you’ll start to notice a gradual reduction in hair regrowth after between 2 to 6 sessions. Then you must do maintenance sessions, otherwise, the hair will regrow back.
Keep in mind that due to the size of the treatment window, which is very small, treating a large area with Tria 4X will be very tedious and time-consuming. As such, we recommend using Tria 4X only for small areas, such as the face, underarms, forearms, and bikini line.
Tria Beauty Laser 4X Pros
The only FDA-cleared laser for home use.
Features a skin tone sensor for skin safety.
Includes an eye safety mechanism.
Features five energy levels and a pulse counter.
Easy to use, comfortable, and beautifully designed.
Great for small areas and face.
Most powerful home hair removal device.
Delivers permanent results at a fraction of the cost of professional treatments.
Cordless.
Tria Beauty Laser 4X Cons
It is relatively expensive.
It’s pretty heavy due to the built-in rechargeable battery.
The Braun Silk-expert Pro 5 is currently one of the most highly-rated, effective, and easy-to-use home removal devices available. This premium IPL tool uses intense pulsed light energy (IPL) to gently and effectively remove unwanted hair.
It is a device with an incredible quality/price ratio that is highly sought after, not only for its efficiency and high quality but also for its innovative design and ergonomics.
FDA-cleared and accredited by the Skin Health Alliance.
Corded.
Comes with a precision head, a premium pouch, and a Venus razor.
Weight- 285g.
Skin Tones & Hair Colors
Braun Silk-expert Pro 5 is most effective on light to medium-dark skin tones, Fitzpatrick skin types I to V, with hair ranging from dark blonde, dark brown to black.
The IPL is least effective on blonde, grey, red, or white hair where there is minimal melanin to absorb the light.
Shape & design
The Braun Silk-expert 5 is characterized by its lightness and beautiful design, as well as its neat finish. The device looks elegant, and weighing just 285g, it fits perfectly in your hand, making it easy to hold and maneuver.
User-friendliness
Both these devices are amongst the most user-friendly home IPL devices you can choose. However, the Braun Pro 5 is faster and more user-friendly; you won’t have any trouble removing hair from any area of your body.
If speed is most critical to you, the Braun Pro 5 is the big winner.
Power Intensity & Safety
As compared to the five intensity levels on Tria Laser 4X, The Braun Pro 5 IPL has ten intensity levels. However, with the maximum intensity on level 10 being 6 J/cm2, this is significantly less powerful than Tria’s 22 J/cm2.
Braun Pro 5 comes with SensoAdapt sensor, a safety sensor that continuously reads the tone of your skin and automatically adapts the intensity of the flash. For user safety, your skin must entirely cover the flash window. Otherwise, it won’t flash.
The Braun Pro 5 has been FDA-cleared, clinically proven, and accredited by the Skin Health Alliance.
Corded or Cordless
Compared to the cordless Tria Laser 4X, the Braun Silk Pro 5 is mains-powered, which means that you never have to worry about running out of charge.
The device comes with a two-meter-long power cord that is connected to the base of the device.
Lamp Lifetime
The Braun Pro 5 IPL is one of the best in terms of lamp lifetime. The device provides you with 400,000 flashes. Braun claims that the flashes should deliver an equivalent of about 24 years of treatment. This is significantly long-lasting as compared to the three years lifetime of Tria laser 4X.
Face and Body Windows
The Braun device has a big body flash window for large areas like the legs and torso. It has a dimension of 3cm by 1cm; hence the total area is 3 cm2.
A smaller, precision attachment makes it effective for tricky areas like the upper lip, underarms, and bikini line.
Number and Frequency of Sessions, And Results
Braun Pro 5 claims to give a hairless skin between 4 to 12 weekly sessions. But on average, you can expect great results after 6 weeks of use.
With Braun Silk-expert, a whole-body session takes around 30 minutes. After achieving the results you want, you need to perform follow-up treatments in order to get the most out of your hair removal treatments.
Braun Silk-expert 5 Pros
Comes with 10 intensity levels, along with 400,000 flashes.
FDA-cleared, CE certification, accredited by the Skin Health Alliance, and clinically proven.
Suitable for varied skin tones (I to V).
Precision attachment for tricky areas.
Comes with SensoAdapt skin tone sensor to automatically adapt the intensity to your skin tone.
Lightweight, elegant, and high-quality.
Ease of use, fast treatment times, and great results.
Tria Beauty Laser 4X vs Braun Silk-expert Pro 5 IPL - Comparison Table
Tria Beauty Laser 4X
Braun Silk-expert Pro 5
Technology
Laser
IPL
Best suited for
The face and small body areas
The face and the whole body
Skin tones
Safe for skin tones I to IV
Safe for skin tones I to V
Hair colors
Safe for hair colors black to dark blonde
Safe for hair colors black to dark blonde
Operation
Cordless
Mains-powered
Number of flashes
90,000
400,000
Windows
1 laser window
1 big body flash window, and a smaller precision attachment
Intensity levels
5
10
Ease of use
Easy to use, precise, but takes extra time, and concentration
Easy to use, super-fast, lightweight, and comfortable
Sessions
8 treatments, one every two weeks, then maintenance treatments.
4 to 12 weekly sessions, then maintenance treatments.
FDA & Certifications
FDA-cleared, clinically proven, CE certification
FDA-cleared, clinically proven, CE certification, accredited by the Skin Health Alliance
Summary (Which one should you buy)?
Both of these are excellent devices that have been proven effective and safe for home use, you won’t go wrong with either of them. The two products have been FDA-cleared, which means you don’t have to worry about their safety. However, they are very different from each other.
The Tria 4X laser is most ideal for face and small body areas. Being the most powerful home device, it will give you long-lasting results. We love the comfy gun-shape and cordless option. Tria’s laser window covers a tiny area, so as you can guess, treating a large area can take a lot of time and effort. However, Tria does deliver what it claims and has a lot of happy and satisfied customers.
The Braun Silk-expert 5 is best suited to the face plus all body areas. Among the countless permanent IPL hair removal devices available, Braun stands out from the crowd for its efficiency, lowest effort, high-quality, and ease of use. It offers 400,000 flashes and has a unique skin tone sensor. It can take up to 12 weeks to get the results you want, but you will most likely get them as Braun also delivers on its claims.
Conclusion: Tria Laser vs Braun Silk-expert
Tria Beauty 4X Laser and Braun Silk-expert Pro 5 IPL are exceptional devices to have at your home so that you can get rid of your body hair quickly and comfortably sitting on your couch. Considering all their great features and benefits, no wonder they rank among the best at-home IPL/Laser hair removal devices available.
You don’t have to worry about getting your hands and legs shaved or waxed with any of these devices. Depending on your skin tone and hair color, give yourself a treatment from either of these fantastic hair removal devices.
I’m a passionate skincare specialist and writer. I have more than 7 years of experience as a beauty, fashion, and lifestyle writer and editor, and I’m extremely passionate about what I do.