Rio Laser Hair Removal > Reviews (10)

I bought the Rio Laser Hair Removal system thinking it would be the answer to all my prayers - how wrong could I be?

The systems works by killing the root of the hair by laser. The wand is placed over the hair, a button is pressed down for 3 seconds while the laser works (a red light indicates the laser is working) and that's basically it. The hair falls out within a few days and regrowth is minimal.

However, hairs grow in 3 stages.

Anagen (the growing phase) - this is where the hair grows. Can be in this stage for several years. 85% of hair is in this stage at any given time.

Catagen (the intermediate phase) which lasts about two weeks, during which the hair stops growing but is not yet shed. About 3 - 4% of our body hair is in this phase at any given time.

Telogen (the shedding phase). which lasts 5 - 6 weeks, at the end of which the hair falls out and a new hair begins to form. Approximately 10-13% of our body hair is in this phase at any one time.

If you laser the hair when it is in the growing phase, the root will not be killed. For the system to work the hair has to be in the shedding phase. This is not something that can be detected. Therefore you have to continue to treat the hair until it falls out.

Came with full instructions and was easy to set up.

However, actually using the system was very difficult for me. I found it hard to line the hairs up with the laser and quite often set the hair alight (not recommended). I couldn't tell which hairs I had treated (because there is no immediate change). I sat for over an hour and had only completed a small part when my neck gave way and I had to stop. My partner took over but found it very difficult also.

My advice? Best left to the professionals.