Can an at-home laser improve crow's feet and smile lines? My Tria FRX review

Crow’s feet, smile lines, frown lines and changes in our skin texture are all a completely natural part of getting older. I certainly don’t expect my skin to look the way it did in my 30s, nor would I want it to, I'm happy for the life I've lived to show in my face . But that doesn’t mean I’m not interested in beauty treatments that might help my skin look a little smoother, brighter and healthier as I approach 60.  Especially if it's from the more affordable at-home treatments!

I have been sent the new Tria FRX Skin Rejuvenating Laser to try at home. It is designed to improve the appearance of fine lines, wrinkles, pigmentation and uneven skin texture using fractional laser technology.

Although crow’s feet are one of the most common areas of concern for women in midlife, the area I notice most on my own face is around my mouth. My smile lines, especially on one side, have become more pronounced over recent years,  It's one area where I have vaguely wondered about a filler treatment!

I’m never entirely comfortable with the phrase 'anti-ageing'. Ageing is inevitable and smiling, laughing and living a full life will naturally leave their mark on our faces. But I am interested in supporting my skin as it changes and finding out whether an at-home laser can help soften the appearance of some of those lines.

In this post, I’m sharing my first experience of using the Tria FRX, how easy it is to incorporate into an evening routine and what it actually feels like to use. I will update the post once I have completed a longer course of treatments, as it would be unrealistic to judge the final results after only a few weeks.

This post is sponsored by Tria and contains an affiliate link.
Please use my 10% off discount code below.

Sharing on honest review and first impressions of the Tria FRX Skin Rejuvenating Laser

What causes crow's feet and other face wrinkles?

Crow’s feet are the fine lines that appear at the outer corners of the eyes. They are often among the first facial lines we notice because the skin around our eyes is particularly thin and delicate.

Smiling and squinting cause the muscles around the eyes to contract and, over time, these repeated movements contribute to the lines becoming more visible. Sun exposure, genetics and the natural loss of collagen and elasticity as we age can all play a part too.

Smile lines usually refer to the creases that run from either side of the nose towards the corners of the mouth. You may also see them described as nasolabial folds. Like crow’s feet, they are influenced by facial movement, but changes in facial volume and skin elasticity can make them look deeper as we get older.

Forehead wrinkles develop gradually through repeated facial expressions such as raising our eyebrows, concentrating and frowning.​

These are normal signs of ageing, but I also think it is perfectly reasonable to explore treatments that may help soften their appearance if they bother us.

What is the Tria FRX Skin Rejuvenating Laser?

The Tria FRX is an at-home fractional skin rejuvenating laser. It uses non-ablative fractional laser technology to deliver tiny beams of laser energy below the surface of the skin without removing the outer layer.

This controlled process is designed to support the skin’s natural renewal response and stimulate collagen production over time.

Tria says that consistent use may help improve:
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• Fine lines and wrinkles.
• Pigmentation and age spots.
• Uneven skin tone.
• Rough or uneven texture.
• Overall skin smoothness.

The FRX has three treatment levels, allowing you to begin with the lowest level and gradually increase the intensity as your skin becomes accustomed to it.

It is designed to be used across the whole face in four treatment zones rather than repeatedly targeting one individual wrinkle. This means that although I am particularly interested in my smile lines, I will be treating my face evenly and following Tria’s instructions carefully.

The Tria FRX divides the face into four treatment zones:

1. Right cheek, including the outer eye area.
2. Left cheek, including the outer eye area.
3. Forehead.
4. Around the mouth, including smile lines and the chin.

Follow the diagrams in your instruction booklet, particularly regarding how close to the eyes and lips you can safely treat.
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The device should not be passed directly over the lips or used too close to the eyes. It is important to read the full instruction booklet before starting, even if you have used another facial device previously.

The Tria FRX at-home laser device is light and easy to use

How often should you use the Tria FRX?

Tria recommends using the FRX five days per week, leaving at least 24 hours between treatments. A full treatment course lasts for 12 weeks, followed by a four-week break to allow the skin to rest.

You can then repeat the treatment cycle as needed to maintain your results or continue improving the appearance of fine lines, pigmentation and skin texture.
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Tria says that some skin rejuvenation may become noticeable within the first couple of weeks, while fine lines and wrinkles will typically take four to six weeks to begin looking less visible. The best results are expected after completing the full 12-week course, although individual experiences will vary.

The Tria FRX is not intended to be a quick fix. Like most at-home beauty devices, it requires consistency and realistic expectations.

My initial review is therefore based mainly on the practical side of using it, including comfort, treatment time and how easily it fits into real life. I won’t be claiming dramatic before and after results when I haven’t used it for long enough to assess them fairly.

My first impressions of the Tria FRX

The Tria FRX arrived in a sturdy box and was simple to unpack and set up, there is a quick-start guide and a more detailed instruction manual.  It feels well-made and is comfortable to hold in the hand, there are several charger options and the quick-start instructions are easy to follow.  There is a simple on/off button which allows you to press once for level one, twice for level two and three times for level three!

The updated model has a more streamlined design, USB-C charging and improved battery life compared with the previous Tria facial laser. This should make it easier to use regularly without constantly having to recharge it.  This is where my older model of the Tria Hair Removal Laser let me know - it didn't hold it's charge, so it is positive to hear about these improvements.

As with any device that needs to be used consistently, convenience is important. Even the most impressive piece of beauty technology won’t get used if it is too complicated or time-consuming to become part of your normal routine.

Use the Tria FRX up to five times per week for 12 weeks for the best results

How I use the Tria FRX

The FRX should be used on completely clean, dry skin. Makeup, SPF, moisturiser and other skincare products need to be removed before beginning because any residue could interfere with the laser.

I divide my face into the four treatment zones shown in the instructions and move the laser horizontally across each area. The device bleeps to tell you when one zone is complete and when it is time to move on to the next.

A full treatment takes approximately two minutes, which feels manageable even on an evening when I am tired or short of time.  My current routine is to have my evening bath, cleanse my face thoroughly and then spend a few minutes using the Tria FRX.

Afterwards, Tria recommends applying a gentle, hydrating product to help soothe the skin - I am using the Phytograph Hydrating Calm Smoothing Gel. Daily SPF is particularly important because laser treatments can make the skin more sensitive to sunlight.

Once I got the hang of moving the device across my skin and working out how long to allow on each area before the beep goes off to tell you to move to the next zone, I found it very simple.

Does the Tria FRX hurt?

This was naturally one of my first questions, any sort of laser skin treatment can be a bit uncomfortable. Tria describes the sensation as warm and prickly and recommends starting on the lowest of the three treatment levels.

I started on level one and then tried level two, it did feel warm and a little uncomfortable but not painful, my skin is red afterwards and feels quite glowy!  But it soon calmed down especially after using the soothing gel.  For me level two is manageable but I won't rush to move onto level three just yet, I will allow time for my skin to adjust first.

Comfort is very individual, so my experience may not be the same as someone else’s. Starting gently, completing a patch test and following the recommended schedule are all sensible, particularly if your skin is more sensitive.

I'll be back in 12 weeks to share my full update and thoughts on the Tria FRX

Can the Tria FRX improve smile lines?

The FRX is designed to improve the appearance of facial fine lines and wrinkles, which includes the wider area around the mouth. However, I think it is important to be realistic about what an at-home device can achieve.

Smile lines are not only surface wrinkles. They can also be affected by facial structure, movement and the natural changes in facial volume that happen with age. I am therefore not expecting the Tria FRX to erase deeper folds.

What I am hoping to see is a gradual improvement in the appearance of the skin around the area, perhaps with slightly softer-looking lines and smoother, brighter skin overall.

There does appear to be an instant effect but I would want to wait the full 12-weeks before commitment to any longer term changes I notice.

My previous experience with the Tria 4X hair Removal Laser

Tria has also sent me the new Tria 4X Hair Removal Laser. This is a completely separate device with a different purpose, but I already have some genuine experience of Tria’s hair removal technology.

I bought an older Tria hair removal laser myself several years ago and found that it really did work for me. The original device no longer holds its charge, but I had been impressed with the results and this is one of the reasons I was interested in trying Tria’s latest devices.

Laser hair removal works by targeting the pigment in the hair follicle, whereas the FRX is a skin rejuvenating laser designed to address fine lines, wrinkles, pigmentation and texture. They should not be confused or used interchangeably.

I’m keen to see how the new Tria 4X compares with the older model I owned, particularly in terms of ease of use, treatment speed and battery life.

I’m planning to use the new Tria 4X Hair Removal Laser on my chin, where those stubborn little hairs seem to become more noticeable during menopause. I will also try it on my underarms and bikini line. As I won’t be using the FRX on these areas, I can include both devices in my routine while keeping the treatment areas separate.

Is the Tria FRX worth the investment?

At this stage, I can only judge the Tria FRX on its design, ease of use and how realistic it feels to incorporate into my routine.  And it is easy and quick to use, it is lightweight and simple to set up, my skin has a healthy glow after using it but any redness doesn't last long.  My first impressions are positive!

At-home beauty devices can be a considerable investment, so I believe reviews need to be honest about both the commitment involved and the time it takes to see results. As the FRX needs to be used five times a week for up to 12 weeks, so it is best suited to someone prepared to be consistent.  

As I’m heading off on holiday soon, I’ve decided to wait until I return before starting the full 12-week treatment programme. Laser treatments can increase the skin’s sensitivity to sunlight, so it feels sensible to avoid beginning a new routine just before spending time in the Mediterranean sun. I always wear SPF, but I would rather give my skin the best possible conditions and start properly when I can be consistent.

​It is important to have realistic expectations. The Tria FRX is intended to improve the appearance of fine lines, pigmentation and skin texture gradually. It is not going to stop the ageing process or give the same immediate result as an injectable treatment.

My honest verdict

My main reason for trying the Tria FRX is to see whether consistent at-home laser treatment can improve my overall skin texture and soften the appearance of the smile lines that have become more noticeable as I approach 60.

It is too early for me to give a final verdict on my crow’s feet or smile lines, but I am happy to share the process as honestly as possible. I will update this post when I have used the FRX for longer and can make a fairer assessment of any visible changes.

For now, I see it as another possible tool for supporting mature skin, rather than something that promises to turn back the clock. I don’t want a completely line-free face, but I am interested to see whether my skin can look smoother and fresher.  There's one line in particular I will be monitoring!

And I did feel that the Tria 4X Hair Removal Laser was an excellent investment (which I purchased myself) - my only observation however is that it takes a long time to treat a full leg and is better suited to small areas (like facial hair), unless you have endless time to dedicate to it!

Have you tried an at-home laser for fine lines, pigmentation or skin texture? I would be interested to hear about your experience.

You can buy both Tria devices and their soothing gel online here. 

Please use my code FIFTY for 10% off all Tria devices.

Love from
Michelle xx


Disclaimer: The Tria FRX Skin Rejuvenating Laser and new Tria 4X Hair Removal Laser were gifted to me as  part of a paid collaboration with Tria. As always, all experiences and opinions are my own.