Can an off-the-shelf product like Tria Beauty Eye Wrinkle Correcting Laser truly reverse the visible signs of ageing? Paul Godbold investigates how it works and puts it to the test.

How many times have you looked at a beauty product and said, “Rubbish, it’s all marketing, it’ll never work”? I’ve done this frequently and had my ‘fingers burnt’ more than a few times, falling for the fancy words and promises and feeling like a fool later.

In my home, I have cupboards filled with gadgets which were used once and will probably never see the light of day for years to come and yet,

I still have faith that something will come along to wipe out my poor judgment.

Areas I needed the Tria eye laser to improve
So why is a middle-aged man investigating beauty products, you might be thinking? For many years, I was referred to as ‘thick-skinned’; unfortunately, ageing means that this is literally no longer the case!

I’m now in my late 40’s and things are now becoming more noticeable. My eyelids are drooping, parts of my face seem a little out of kilter, the wrinkles around the eyes seem deeper, so, enough is enough, I’m going to war!

As someone who was renowned for my looks in my early days, I’m now on a constant hunt for products to preserve what little of my looks I have left and make what I still have look better.

As many of our readers will know, we recently went on a fun-filled day of buying beauty and skincare products to review in Luxurious Magazine.

Probably the most interesting product we came across and decided should definitely be put through its paces was the Tria Beauty Eye Wrinkle Correcting Laser.

I said to my wife, “If this doesn’t work, I’ll make sure that everyone knows about it.” It was one of those beauty products which, when you read the words on the box, really did sound too good to be true. As I held the box in my hands, I felt like Tria Beauty was challenging me to prove or disprove their claims.

What convinced us to purchase the product?
Before I handed over my money, I installed the YouTube app onto my phone and watched a video from what I would regard as a ‘real person’, not one of those over-made-up young women who make a living out of batting their eyelids and pouting.

The ‘relatively normal’ woman in the video had thoroughly tested the Tria laser and then made a statement, which made my decision to buy that much easier. It was something along the lines of “Since I’ve started to use this, I’ve given up on my Botox injections; this works out so much cheaper”.

That’s all I needed to hear; she’d said it worked for her, and I’d potentially be saving money by having one!

How does your skin work?
Your skin is made up of many layers; it can generally be divided into three main parts:

  • The outer part is called the epidermis, and this contains skin cells, pigments and proteins.
  • The middle part is called the dermis, and this contains blood vessels, nerves, hair follicles and oil glands. This part provides the necessary nutrients to your skin.
  • Under the dermis is the subcutaneous layer containing sweat glands, fat, blood vessels and some hair follicles.

How does your skin change as you get older?
As you get older, the outer skin layer begins thinning even though the number of cell layers remains the same. Also, the subcutaneous fat layer thins out, resulting in less padding.

As if this wasn’t bad enough, your connective skin tissue loses its strength and elasticity resulting in sagging and drooping – damn those traits of ageing!

What does ‘Clinically Proven’ Mean?
One thing which is frequently mentioned in the Tria Beauty marketing is ‘Clinically Proven’. Although I could not locate a specific study on the eye laser, Tria Beauty had performed a study on the eye laser’s bigger sister, the Age-Defying Laser. This does provide some insight into how their laser products work on the skin and involved 34 subjects with, in the main, positive results.

All too often, we see products stating they are clinically proven. What this means is that anywhere from one person upwards has tested the product in an experimental setting. Thirty-four subjects, although by no means a large study, is certainly better than one involving a single person.

Also, a certified Doctor is needed to trial the product and provide their seal of approval. In this instance, Zakia Rahman, M.D. Board-certified dermatologist and clinical Assistant Professor of Dermatology at Stanford University has given this.

What the expert said:
“Tria’s SmoothBeauty™ Eye Wrinkle Laser delivers dermatologists-recommended technology in an at-home product specifically designed to smooth wrinkles around the eyes. This product is unlike any other on the market.” (Dermatologists have existing or prior relationships with Tria that may include consulting, research, and/or early investment positions.)

What ‘This product is unlike any other on the market’ actually means is open to debate. Is she referring to its design, its colour or the convenience of using salon-based technology at home? What consumers really want to read is that it’s been tested and it works.

What is the Tria Eye Wrinkle Correcting Laser?
It’s a handheld rechargeable laser about a quarter of the size of a case for spectacles. It’s rechargeable and, given its small size, is extremely portable. Another major point to note about the ‘Tria Beauty Age-Defying Eye Wrinkle Correcting Laser’ is it’s FDA (U.S Food & Drug Administration) cleared.

This is not a guarantee it will work; in simple terms, it’s an acknowledgement that the product is “substantially equivalent” to products that have been previously cleared by the FDA and the benefits of the approved item outweigh the potential risks for the item’s planned use.

The Tria eye laser also has EU certification, which means it is safe to use at home, so, more big ticks while many others have none.

Now that we have established that the Tria Eye Wrinkle Correcting Laser is  ‘Clinically proven’, is FDA Cleared and has EU Certification. We’re still looking for something clear and definitive, stating it works.

Online reviews of the product offer up a mixed bag of views and results, and can they really be trusted? The only way to know for sure is by purchasing one with our own money and testing it out!

How does it work?
The eye wrinkle laser sends a targeted beam of light under the surface of the skin, which disrupts the cells. This kick-starts the skin’s healing process, and collagen is produced. The expected result from this is fine lines and wrinkles become smoother, a reduction in pigmentation and hopefully, in my case, better skin elasticity.

Using the Eye Wrinkle Correcting Laser
Before using the eye wrinkle laser, you’ll need to clean your skin, removing any dirt, grime and make-up. The eye laser is operated by a single button on the top. Press this button, and you’ll see a green light appear on the side of the laser.

Once you place it on the skin, the green light changes to purple, meaning it’s started to send light beams into the skin.

The most effective way to use the laser is by moving it across the skin using small circles. Over time, you’ll find the most comfortable speed for you. Remember, it’s sending beams of light into your skin, and if you keep it in one place for too long, you will feel discomfort.

Does the eye wrinkle-correcting laser hurt?
The first time you use the Age-Defying Eye Wrinkle Correcting Laser, you will certainly know that it’s working. You’ll hear a clicking sound and a sensation akin to small elastic bands lightly snapping on your skin. Don’t worry; within a couple of days, you’ll hardly notice this.

It did take me a couple of days to work out what pressure to use. With this looser skin around the eyes, if you press too firmly, you could tug and stretch the skin, which is not a good idea.

I found that barely touching the skin with the laser worked best for me, and please make sure that you use it around the eyes and not on the eyes. Any laser can cause damage if you don’t use it correctly.

Did I notice any side effects?
On some occasions, the eye laser did produce some redness which sometimes felt itchy, but it doesn’t last for long. To help with this, Tria has a product called Nourishing Eye Renewal Cream.

The cream has a flat round metal applicator under the cap, which, when placed on the skin, produces a cooling sensation while it dispenses the hydrating cream. Good news is that it worked well, any minor discomfort quickly goes and I would recommend that you purchased this with the laser.

The eye laser is a once-a-day treatment. It has a built-in shut-off timer, so you’ll know when to switch to the other eye. Don’t overdo it; the skin needs time to repair itself.

Tria Eye Wrinkle Correcting Laser – How did it perform?
This review was conducted at the mid-point of a suggested 8-week program. It must be noted that the eye wrinkle-correcting laser was used in conjunction with two other products.

I used L’Oreal Age Perfect cream and Olay Regenerist 3-point super age-defying cream. Both of these products are designed to assist with anti-ageing.

After four weeks, what results have I seen?
I’m pleased to say that the improvement in my skin is noticeable. One of the main reasons I was keen to try Tria’s Eye Wrinkle Correcting Laser was to do something about my droopy eyelids. These are far less evident now, and the skin around my eyes appears to be firmer.

The wrinkles I had, although still visible seem to be not as defined. Furthermore, I noticed small blemishes and areas of discolouration had started to fade.

In conclusion, the Tria eye wrinkle correcting laser has appeared to assist in reversing some of my signs of ageing. But, given that it was used in conjunction with highly-respected skin care creams. It is impossible for me to pass judgment on the individual effectiveness of the eye wrinkle-correcting laser.

The closest I can get to a definitive recommendation is. ‘In conjunction with other products, the overall results exceeded my expectations’.

Finally, I am pleased I purchased it and do not feel any of my usual buyer’s remorse. It’s a feel-good product, and I will not be putting it away in a cupboard to be forgotten.

Tria Beauty Eye Wrinkle Correcting Laser – Where and how?

The Tria Age-Defying Eye Wrinkle Correcting Laser can be purchased through Tria

To read our reviews on LIERAC Arkeskin + click here, to read our review on LIERAC. Diopticerne Dark Circle Melt-in fluid click here.

Before using any skincare product, please do a small test to see whether there is any reaction. Make sure that you read the product description beforehand so you have no adverse effects on your skin.