Created: 3/20/2008 8:05:18 AM 
By Julia Crowley First Coast News
JACKSONVILLE, FL -- Some women will try anything to get rid of unwanted body and facial hair. Now and days women are spending hundreds and thousands of dollars on laser hair removal treatments. It's one of the most popular trends available, but now there is a way to do those laser treatments yourself and in the comfort of your own home.
The Food and Drug Administration recently okayed the first hand-held device made for at-home at use. It's called TRIA.
Dr. Eric Bernstein is a laser surgeon but he's also a spokesman for the TRIA Company. He says it works. "Everyone is going to use this laser," says Dr. Eric Bernstein.
He hopes that the TRIA will help hit business, not hurt it. He says it can be used in addition to having professional laser treatments.
"In my house my wife uses it to maintain her hair removal on her legs in between treatments," says Dr. Bernstein.
The TRIA works by heating hair quickly. When laser treatments are done by a professional, eye goggles are necessary, but not so for the home laser.
"They have technology in this laser that turns the light from dangerous laser light into safe light that you can use at home," says Dr. Bernstein.
But the at-home laser isn't for everyone. In fact, there are several restrictions. The company says it won't work on white, grey, blonde or red hair. So that really leaves only dark colored hair.
The company also says it's a "no" for people with dark skin and those who rarely or never sunburn. For those people, the results could be skin injuries such as blisters and burns.
The laser does come with a safety device. You press the device against your skin and if it's safe for your skin then the light will turn green. Then you can use the device to unlock the laser.
If it detects your skin is too dark then the light turns red and the laser won't activate.
Right now, FDA approval of the TRIA is only for the neck down.
Nicole Dresnin says she has already been using the at-home laser. She says it works but isn't completely painless.
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