French company launches home laser epilation system

By Simon Pitman

- Last updated on GMT

Related tags Hair removal Laser hair removal Us

E-One is claimed to be the first ever laser-based home epilation system to be launched in the fast-growing market for hair removal systems.

Developed by Frenchman and veterinary doctor Yves Vincent, the device is said to offer a semi-permanent means of removing body hair in the comfort of the home and without the use of creams or stripping wax.

The product is the result of four years of development work, with the big challenge being to try and reduce the size of the laser equipment down from 50kgs - the average size of professional equipment - to around 5kgs.

The technology relies on eflash, which is based on the‘flash’ lamp technology used in the professional equipment to deliver tiny pulses of light that tackles body hair at the roots.

Eflash technology improves efficacy

The company says that crucial to the efficacy of E-One is the fact that it delivers a regular, homogeneous and pure flash of light that is both powerful and safe to use on the skin.

These quick flashes of light are said to increase the intensity of the treatment, making it more gentle on the skin, yet using up a lower amount of electricity.

One problem that earlier laser treatment devices faced was the fact that it was more dangerous and less effective on both fairer skin and fairer hair. However, the manufacturer claims that this product is just as effective on individuals with this colouring.

E-One claims that the efficacy and safety of the product has been proven through independent clinical tests that assessed the dermatological impact of the treatment.

Independent clinical trials underline efficacy

Testing was carried out at the DermExpert laboratories using 24 volunteers aged between 18 and 45 on two separate areas of the leg, with treatments given at regular intervals every two months, using three levels of intensity.

The tests showed that the results of the treatment varied according to intensity, with the weakest level of laser treatment showing an efficacy of between 56 – 78 per cent, while the strongest treatment level had an 83 -100 per cent efficacy rating.

These results were dependent on age, with the youngest volunteers benefiting most from the treatment.

The product is being launched initially in France and has a retail price of €1,350, which the company claims makes it more economical than salon treatment.

If the launch in successful in the French market, the product is then likely to be rolled out in other main markets in Europe, before eventually being launched globally.

Two years ago Gillette announced that it was making an investment package worth $1.5m to develop light-based hair removal systems for the US market with Palomar, a company that specialises in laser cosmetic treatments.

At the time the hair removal market in the US was said to be valued at $2.5bn (€1.7bn) and has continued to experience average annual growth of 5 per cent, but undoubtedly the fastest growing segment is that for laser-based methods.

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