Hair removal..just one of life’s irritating essentials, but for the life of me I cannot bear a hairy leg or armpit. So, faced with waxing, shaving or sugaring, I tend to go for the strip wax at home option on legs and bikini, but cannot deal with that under my arms. I’ve always – unhappily – opted for the razor. I was asked if I’d like to trial the Philips Lumea at home Intense Pulsed Light (IPL) treatment, and had my first session under instruction today. Given that I have used Tria, another at-home laser removal system – it wasn’t really a great surprise at how easy Lumea is to use. Basically, you simply press the ‘window’ to the skin area and press a button. There’s a bright light flash and then you move on to the next section. The ‘window’ is actually very user friendly – it is big enough that it doesn’t take for ever to cover one pit, and rectangular in shape, it is simple to keep track of where you have already done as long as you apply a systematic approach. The light based depilation system takes eight weeks to banish hair (one session every fortnight for 8 weeks) but doesn’t *promise* that some hair won’t grow back. I know from the experience of others that you can end up going to a salon for an IPL treatment for months and months before you see real results. At least with the at-home version, once you’ve paid out, then you can use it as often as it takes to get rid of that very last hair. If it does what it says it will, The Philips Lumea is really quite impressive.
There are a lot of provisos with Lumea – you need the right hair colour, the right skin type and colour etc and it isn’t going to be suitable for everyone, but I will do another couple of posts including the end result after 8 weeks.
The main question on everyone’s lips is Does It Hurt. Uh, no. It didn’t hurt me; just felt like a tiny hot flash. The at home gadget £399 from Boots.
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88 comments
This sounds grand! Can they make a body sized one then, so I can just walk through it, and be hair free (apart from my head…) Thanks!
Good luck with the Lumea sessions! I used Boots Smooth Skin last year and have had really quite amazing results. It’s not often that a gadget like that actually does what it says. Although I do wish the “window” was bigger so that it didn’t take so long… and that it didn’t heat up so quickly. I wonder if Lumea is any better at those two points.
I agree Mizzworthy or to sit in a vat of something right up to the neck that defuzzes you permanently…I always have a dream about such a vat. Yes, quite.
I’d be interested to know how you get on with this. I had laser hair removal at a private clinic over a course of 8 months and it has made a profound difference but not banished the bastard follicles completely – some patchy regrowth stubble length resurfaces but it is much finer than when I had my pits waxed. Six treatments cost about £66 a time but I’m not ready to have my bikini lasered as the underarms did hurt sometimes plus I didn’t always get the same nurse so I can’t face the embarrassment of going knickerless in a brightly lit room with a different person each time! I’ve just about got used to the same beautician giving me a bikini wax in a dimly lit room!
I hope this device proves worthy as I’d use it on my legs and maybe the bikini area all in the privacy of my own home! Apologies for the epic autobiography on hair removal woes.
Looks really good. Though a lit bit expensive. I wanna try it anyway,
Expensive? not at all! Imagine you would have to go to a salon to do it… it would cost a fortune (reason I have not done it by now). I am going to give it a go straight away! I am sooo excited!
Sheenie, I’m with you on salon tales of woe! :o)
I have also used Boots Smooth Skin and it was really fab – I hadn’t expected it to live up to the hype but it really worked. It is a bit of an initial expense but all the rave reviews on Boots website made me go for it. Much cheaper than salons!
Hi
So the Lumea appears to be a well made device, easy to use and with positive feedback about the results.
My question is, why isn’t it recommended for use by men?
What can be the reason? Isn’t it true that hair folicles work/reproduce in the same manner for women as men?
Please provide some feedback if you have any idea. I am a male, want to buy the Lumea but since a return is not possible, it could be aa expensive investment in case it really doesn’t work on men.
Have contacted Philips but they simply say that it hasn’t been tested on men….
Thanks in advance
Just because it wasn’t tested it doesn’t mean it won’t work…I don’t really see why not to be honest. The hair grows in the same way…I would be curious to know feedback myself (want to try it on my bfrend). Am doing research now as £400 is quite an amount and am curious to know if I should go for it (is it really worth it?) or not. Thanks!
Hello Anon. I did actually go through to the press office to get your question answered. They say officially that it wasn’t tested or designed for men. They say that men’s hair growth is slightly different and it may not be as effective on men. However, I don’t know that that means you *can’t* use it on guys…my sneaky suspicion (and I have asked them directly but they haven’t come back yet) is that they will market a product specifically for men in due course which is why they don’t want attention drawn to uni-sex use. I could be wrong of course, but men’s hair growth isn’t different enough to warrant a ban! You must not though use it on the face on anyone, regardless of gender!! Hope that helps. x
what I would want to know is if you use it for 8 weeks every fortnight then, every 4 weeks for underarm and every 6 weeks for legs … in those 8 weeks u use it every fortnight do you still shave between fortnights? they say result appear after those 8 weeks and that hair will keep appearing after the first and second try.
Hi, I follow your blog regularly but have never posted before. I am of indian origin with light brown skin (which I would say is one shader darker than olive) and black hair. Would Lumea work with my skin?
Well, it specifically says not suitable for ‘very dark skin’ and I was shown a chart of skin shades that went quite a lot darker than mine. So I would assume that you would be ok. However, you should check on http://www.consumer.philips.com
Hi Anon..yes you would carry on shaving between treatments..in fact, they recommend that you shave prior to using the machine anyway x
I am desperate to try this after considering myself the hairiest woman in the UK. I am a redhead but my body hair is oddly very dark, almost black so I am unsure if this will work but am thinking I will try anything to save waxing every 2 weeks.
I have always claimed the title of the UK’s hairiest women but it sounds as if someone is after my crown! The Phillips Laser unit as well as the Boots system sound fab! Am very excited about the prospect of actually being hair free- such a wish!!! Being an individual who suffers from PCOS (Polycystic ovary syndrome), has anyone have any experience of using either one of these units with any success- I would be very interested to know before I purchase one!
I had IPL at a salon near to me on my bikini line and for 6 treatments it cost £394. Its not really worked, there is a reduction but I would need more treatments to ensure removal. So I am very interested to see if this works as could save money! Plus could use it on the dreaded underarms which seem to look dark even when I’ve just shaved them!
Post from Hairy Mary, the hairiest girl this side of a yeti!
Why can’t you use it on the face? What’s the problem???
This is quite personal…… I started off a few years ago shaving my bikini area, because I couldnt face the pain of waxing. Anyway it made my hair thicker and spread to just outside my pant line, sort of at the top of my legs. I was so horrified. So I bought myself an epilator (too shy to go to waxing salon) – which hurt like hell but i didnt want thick ugly hair at the top of my legs from shaving. This didnt work for me because I got ingrown hair which sometimes took like two months for me to get out, and sometimes left scars that took a year to go (these just outside my pant line so cant wear bikini on beach!!) so then i tried waxing strips at home, and i still get ingrown hairs! I am making such a mess down there and cant seem to find anything on these ingrown hairs on the internet. Do you guys not really have problems with them? If anyone has had this problem and has any advice for me i would really appreciate it so much. I will be buying Lumea when i have saved up i think. If anyone has any experience with it and ingrown hairs too please let me know? I dont even know if this problem affects others because i havent talked about it with my girl friends. Do you guys just wax and have no problems til the hair starts growing back?
Hi Anon…I have heard very of very good results from a product called TendSkin…you can find it on http://www.mankind.co.uk. It isn’t specifically a man’s product but because they get a lot of ingrow issues around the beard area you’ll find it more on men’s sites. You should also visit your GP who would probably give you anti-biotic cream for ingrows because it can be very nasty if they get infected. BBBX
Hey, @ anyone querying the ‘ban’ of use of the lumea on men, wouldn’t it make sense that the only place men have unwanted hair is in their.. ‘private’ areas.. and surely using such an appliance on a) such delicate skin, and b) so close to the reproductive organs = fertility problems… cancers? I don’t know.. a whole host of things… maybe they think men won’t adhere to instructions as closely as women??
Anon x.
Hi anon.
I use a product called PFB vanish, it’s a roll-on for ingrown hair and you can get it online for about £6. NEVER use and eplilator as apparently they rip the hair out in the wrong direction and misalign the folice with skin opening, causing the ingrown hair. Bare with it, only using on affected area, as it will dry out your skin. Use until the ingrown comes out and then evertime you shave or wax. I swear by it! I am definitely thinking of purchasing the Lumea!
thank you britishbeautyblogger for the ingrown hair advice! the reviews on the tendskin product are amazing and i have ordered some. I kind of thought i would always have this issue but maybe not!!! I will post back with the results.
i will also visit GP because i think i would die if any got infected! uuugh.
from ingrown hair monster!
Hello,
I was just wondering whether we could get the latest on how you are getting on with the lumea? Does it seem to be working?
I am a male using the new Lumea. It’s been 3 days since using it on the highest setting and no hairs have shed yet, waiting to see what happens… My gut feel is that the Philips advisory that it is not for men is because the lamp is not powerful enough for thicker male hair, the Boots device is probably a better buy.
Makes IPL user here.
Now I am really upset, I had wanted to find a Satinlux, even tried to find one in Spain and could get one, so when the Remington ilight came out in the UK I took the plunge and bought one.
Then the Lumea was released just after, now really upset because the bulb lasts a ling time and my ilight needs a new bulb every few sessions, mainly because us blokes have more area to cover.
Having said that the iLight has given excellent results with a 80% reduction on hair growth in all areas, legs, underarms, pubic region (you may not of wanted to know this) but I think its quite relevant from the question by other guys on here, IPL treatment does work for guys very well.
To be honest its transformed my life because I hated being hairy, now its much easier to deal with and far less shaving and irritation.
I will be saving the pennies over the next few months to buy a lumea so that I don’t have to tolerate the cost of replacement bulbs every few weeks.
Pleased to answer anyones questions based on my personal experience so far
I also used to get many ingrown hairs ‘down there’, but I now exfoliate and moisturise regularly and rarely get them now.
I have had laser hair removal and have found it to be disappointing given the price I paid for it – I may have to get the Lumea or Boots version and finish the botch lasering and then do the rest of me!
Hi,
I just got the Lumea, I like others wasn’t sure if I should spend that kind of money, but as a fair skinned female with lots of black hair I have just had enough! Since I have only had one session thus far I haven’t seen any difference, but will be sure to continue on a bi-weekly basis hoping for the best. It didn’t hurt much really, just a quick pinch, more so in sensitive areas.
Will update once I get past the fourth session, as that is when you are supposed to be hair free, or almost!
Update: It works but it is a lot of work. On thicker male body hair it requires at least 2-3 passes to make the hair shed, thinner hairs require only 1 pass and vaporize. Shedding is about 50%-70% of the hairs after 5-7 days, not able to get 100% per treatment. Some times the dead hairs require a nudge to fall out. Each 30 mins of usage requires 90 mins of recharging, can be a hassle. So yes it works for men, but are stronger flash bulb and longer battery would be helpful.
i am interested in purchasing the lumea. after reading about it i understand that it works by sending the hair follicle into the resting phase.
my question is does the hair follicle become active again causing hair growth to return once you have used up the 40,000 flashes? and therefore, do you need to purchase another machine to maintain being hair free?
So people- which -is better? Lumea or smooth skin?? Boots smooth skin seems to break more and need bulbs more.
Why not to be used on the face either??
LUMEA = a well made expensive cosmetic accessory
I am a male who bought the Lumea with great hesitation since it is not recommended for men but the name “Philips” played a role in my decision making. I have previously had IPL treatments at a professional salon and I know that “permanent hair removal” does not exist, it is safer to say ”drastic hair removal”.
Was about to buy the Tria in November when I read that Philips would introduce the Lumea. I waited and waited and have now used the Lumea for 5 weeks and wanted to share my findings.
It works on men as well, I have pale skin with dark hair. About 30% of hair falls after about a week. Yet, the Lumea’s light is not strong enough to make a long lasting difference. After second treatment, I decided to zap every spot two times, same spot within a couple seconds. I thought that double zapping the same spot within a couple seconds would increase the chance for more permanent results.
It hurt but I thought it was worth the pain expecting to have a double effect on the hair roots. It took a couple days to realize that the extra pain I was feeling was not due to a stronger effect on the hair, instead it was my skin burning from being exposed to the extra heat (it is not Lumea’s fault).
The Lumea, as well as other home use devices are only good for treatment of small areas.
If I knew then what I know now I would not have spend my money on a home use device because in the end, when considering cost, effort and time, it would cost the same at professional salon and with better results.
I have found out that at least 7 joules are required to achieve near-permanent results. The Tria is strong but has an extremely small light window. Then there is Lumea with 2 – 6.5 joules (depending on setting) and Boots Smooth Skin with up to 10 joules (depending on setting). So one might conclude that the Boots Smooth Skin is a better choice. Yes it is BUT again only for small areas because every 10000 flashes its handset must be replaced at a cost of around £150.
In my case, using the Lumea on back and chest, I have already gone over 6000 flashes within 5 weeks.
So, in the end isn’t better to go to a professional salon for better results and let someone else do the work? Keep in mind that after stopping using the Lumea, the hair follicles become active again causing hair growth to return!! In addition, if grey hair is a possibility for you (look at your parents), then the day will come when the Lumea or other such small devices will not have any effect. Being treated, at an early age, at a professional salon with aggressive treatment, the roots will die (most of them) minimizing the risk of the re appearance of hair, thus less hopeless grey hair in the future.
Simply said, the Lumea does what it promises BUT expect only TEMPORARY results because it stuns/shocks the hair follicles thus suppresses hair regrowth between treatments. Philips never claims permanent hair removal!
For very small areas it is ok for now but for larger areas….. forget it!
I can understand that you are desperate to do something about the hair problem, just like I am, and tempted to try anything that provides some hope. I can’t return my Lumea and get a refund so I will continue using it on small private areas, knowing that the results are temporary and hopefully I will have some money in the future to return to professional salon treatments.
Good luck!
Anon!! you are scaring me…please only use Lumea according to instructions. You might be testing it to its limits but it is far more important to protect your skin properly. I can’t say this strongly enough…follow the instructions!
5 weeks is not long enough to determine whether it is a permanent REDUCTION or not. Agree that it takes several passes for male hair, but they should be separated by a few days, NOT seconds. So far I am getting great results after 4 weeks, gone from Italian/Greek style type 4 torso coverage to type 0 with clear skin, but let’s see how the regrowth goes.
after a bit of research i am really interested in buying the lumea but as a poor student me and my friend are considering going halfsies on it. is it ok to use the devise on two people if cleaned and maintained properly of course ?? anyone shed some light ?
Thanks for a good blog on Lumea.
I too have spend countless hours of research on the internet on this type of home-use devices and have recently bought the Lumea. I am satisfied with the results but I now wish I had not spent my money on the Lumea – because the results are temporary, you just have to keep using the Lumea and once you stop… guess what.
Here comes a link in which all the info is summarized http://www.beautyscribbler.com/2010/04/philips-lumea-vs-boots-smooth-skin.html
Hello everyone!
First of all I want to apologize for my bad English skills.. I live in Germany and have found out, that there is a new IPL machine, for the use at home. It’s called Remington IPL-5000 i-light. It costs €200, so I think around 170 UK pound. It is cheaper and it promises to work on men and women!!!! I am so close to order it, but I still making some researches (that’s how I got to this page).
Maybe some of you are interested in this product, as it is cheaper and for unisex.
I am pretty sure that I would get the crown of the hairiest woman worldwide, as I have hair all over my freakin body – yesss, back, breast, tummy, …. -.-
So I am really frustrated and I think I will purchase the Remington product. I could give you some info later on, after experiencing it live!
I hope this was a little help…
Hi, I am another one with hair all over my body as you have and have used Philips Lumea IPL for 2 years now on my entire body and face and intimate areas, I am very satisfied with the results. I am so determined to completely rid my body of hair that is why I will keep using my Lumea and buy a new one once this one stops working I had payed AU $700 and I am not sorry but Remington IPL-5000 i-light. sounds like a great deal for only €200, we in Australia still haven’t got that one in the shops but I would still like to find out if it works better than Philips Lumea before mine stops working and before I have to buy a new one…. Thanks for the information and god luck with your search and hair removal results.
in response to the ingrown hair situation. I am quite young, but very conscious of hair growth , in the bikini area, underarms and on my legs which is very thick, pube-like and theres loads of it.
i used to get waxed, and that made my thick, dark hair thinner and fairer, but the ingrown hairs were unbearable, especially around the bikini area, even when using an ingrown hair solution twice a day. so i started epilating my legs, but that also gave me ingrown hairs and wasn’t very efficient, it didn’t seem to pick up my hair. i tried hair removal cream on my legs and bikini area, but it took a long time, left rashes and also left stubble on my bikini area. so now i reverted to shaving all over, but that gives me re-growth on my legs within hours, they are never fully smooth. and also gives me awful rashes round my bikini area, that are incredibly painful and unsightly. its fine at the moment, as i only shave in that area once a week when i go out, then the rashes heal and i will shave again a week later . but i am dreading my summer holiday where i will be wearing a bikini everyday, and need to be hair-free for over a week. this is impossible , as i definitely couldn’t shave over a rash, it would cut the skin and be so painful and leave marks all round my bikini line – the hair grows much outside the bikini line.
sorry about the graphic insight into my life. but was thinking about buying the lumea, and after this blog i’m not so sure. i cant seem to find any sort of hair removal that works for me, and its driving me crazy!
any advice would be greatly appreciated!
sorry, follow up to my previous comment, i still get ingrown hair round my bikini area with shaving, but i cant use anything like creams or lotions, or exfoliating because the rashes are too bad! just thought i’d add that on..
Georgie, I used to have bad rashes to everything, ingrown hairs etc and i found that IPL and laser did work. I had about a years worth of laser treatment on my bikini area, inbetween treatments I just trimmed the hair short. But as the hair falls out you find you don’t really need to worry too much. I now have some v. small regrowth (several years later)and so am looking to see if I can manage this at home with one of the home IPL machines discussed here.
I don’t get any ingrown hairs in that area now. I can’t afford getting my legs but wish i could. I would recommend getting some treatments done to start with even though they are expensive getting the worst out the way could change your life. The laser they used was an Alexandrite. However if these machines work then it might work for you.
I would recommend it for underarms and bikini, but it is a huge commitment because it takes time and dedication to start seeing a difference. It is just too time consuming for me I must admit to contemplate doing my legs..I tried legs with Boots Ipulse and it takes at least an hour to do them. I’m so sorry to hear about your rashes..your skin must be super-sensitive. You could try Otylia Roberts wax for sensitive skin but it sounds like you are hyper-sensitive. I generally recommend a product called Tend Skin for ingrown hairs, which people who suffer from them swear by. I suggest you go back to waxing and try Tend Skin on your legs at least, and certainly stop shaving…your skin clearly can’t tolerate it. Tend Skin is stocked at http://www.beautyexpert.co.uk and other places. Good luck xx
Like most of everyone here, I have had stubborn hair problems. I’ve had laser done on my armpits and bikini and have recently decided to have a full brazilian done. That said, the pain of going through IPL sessions (in professional salons) is worth the hassle of going through waxing and having to deal with ingrown hairs. I’m still trying to get rid of some scars from ingrown hairs (ugly, especially on the bikini area) but I am hopefully with BumpEraser (from Caronlabs) it will disappear soon.
Anyway, after undergoing 3 sessions of IPL for a full brazilian, I could say that I have pretty much seen a 50% reduction. This is amazing – and the hairs that are growing back are finer. I would say that for the pain of getting laser-zapped down there, there had better be visible results, but I am pretty pleased with the results thus far.
The IPL sessions were VERY VERY painful. This is coming from someone who’s had regular waxing for years. But like many of you, the ingrown hair that came with waxing made me decide to take the IPL plunge.
I’ve recently come across a clinic (not in the UK) that did laser hair removal that were virtually painless. I say virtually painless because compared with the previous IPL sessions (I had to pop a few analgesic tablets prior to the session and slather on some numbing cream and still it hurt badly) this one just was “hot”. But the temperature was bearable since they put on very cold transducer gel and use a “rolling” motion to go over the whole area (unlike IPL where its a point and shoot type of movement). The machine is called Aria I believe. They also claim that you can get faster results from this machine (its in the clinic and not portable so have to sign up for some sessions and consultation with the doctor).
I am hoping to get the whole thing done, including a “booster” shot for the armpits (some very fine hairs have regrown after 2 years of hairlessness).
Point of it all – will I buy the Lumea? Perhaps, just for the booster shots, but I still think that going to a professional salon would be better to get you started.
I’d like to make 3 points regarding the Lumea in hope to help others out there.
I have had experience with IPL treatments at proffessional salon, have spent countless hours on the internet reading all available info and was among the very first ones to buy the Lumea as soon as it became available.
1) The Lumea is simply an electronic razor! That’s all. It does what it promises BUT it has to keep being used otherwise the hair comes back. Reccomended only for very small areas (such as underarms) which can easily be treated often. Expect NO PERMANENT removal with the Lumea!!
2) The argument of using the Lumea (or most home-use IPL devices) in order to save money compared with treatments at professional salons – is NOT a valid one. The salon treatments are permanent-like ones!!! which is not the case with the Lumea. (Again, if you have the time to be zapping small areas every two weeks for ever, then the Lumea could serve the purpose. But keep in mind that the only thing common between Lumea and salon treatments is the name “IPL” which is very different in strength and results).
3) The biggest breakthrough since IPL -good news- is a spray called Lipoxôme making it possible to treat white, grey, red, blond hair. Meaning that the customer data base expends drastically for these devices which hopefully will result in development of new IPL devices as well as making treatments at salons less expensive.
I haven’t used Lipoxôme, has someone else used it who can provide us with feedback?
Good luck with the “hair problems”.
I bought it. I know I will not be able to save for professional sessions so thought I would give it a go. I am after first session – cannot say that there is magnificent difference, but can say that some of my hair has already dropped out – I have done it a week ago. I hope that after 5 or even 6 sessions I will notice reduction in hair hoping for at least 70% less. With small amount of hair I will be able to manage it using epilators and it will not be as painful as it is now. And trust me I am a hairy person even for a woman and at the moment I cannot stand the pain on my tights so have to shave, and I hate shaving because it gives me rush, it itches the next two days and I hate having sharp ends sticking out the next day. For those who say: oh, it’s time consuming, it is not worth it because it does not give the permanent reduction, etc, I will say: yeah, but I prefer to spend 2 or even 4 hours every 4 weeks after the initial treatments rather than having to shave my legs every day and still not feeling comfortable wearing shorts or skirts because of black dots all over my legs or nasty rush the next few days.
Hi I’m realy interested in purchasing lumea but am not quite sure yet if you recomend it or not. Could you also post again to let us know the results after ur first use.
Could anyone else recomment it?
Thanks
I have a vile stomach hair problem which I hate, is this product suited to use between the naval and pubic region? And what is the virdict? Does it work?
I’ve bought Lumea last week and after one week the results are already amazing.However I have just red that Lumea is not powerful enough to be permanent (need 7+ joules to be permanent removal)while boots smooth skin is more powerful. Now that I red this I wish I bought the boots one.
About 8 weeks have passed since I first started and I have gotten absolutely fantastic results all over. In parts where I treated intensely it appears to be permanent with almost no regrowth (95%!). In other areas where I tried to thin out the hair there is some regrowth but the hairs are only small blond ones and that’s what I was aiming for. For sure any thick dark ones are gone – very happy with the results.
I bought a Philips Lumea yesterday was so excited as have had constant problems over the years with bikini line as have coarse dark hair and the more I have shaved it and treated it, not only does the hair get thicker and spread further out from crotch but the more irritated the skin gets and the odd ingrowing one too.
Anyway because I am a scaredy cat, dislike waxing because it hurts and often makes my thighs bleed. Still everyone says the Lumea doesnt hurt, so was raring to go but shit it does hurt! Its like a hot ping on your skin like youve just been stung! I have only been brave enough to do two flashes – like lots of difference thats going to make and that was only on level 3 too.
Moreover if I cant use it on tanned skin there lots of hairs just outside bikini area growing back where the skin is definitely tanned so how am I going to treat that? Anyone got any ideas?
Right now feel – god £400 for a machine that hurts and cant be used on tanned areas!!
I bought the lumea 2 weeks ago as I wanted to use it on entire bikini area and underarms. Im very pale with dark hair and used setting 4 – its not pain free as previous poster encountered but it was like a hot sting and didnt really hurt so persevered! I have never shaved bikini area just used creams so I was a bit worried about a rash and in growing hairs. One critiscm of the lumea is it doesnt state what to do between treatments. I used tend skin every day and didnt get a rash but still had 98% regrowth if I looked really closely some very very small patches didnt grow back on bikini area but never noticed a difference on underarms. I start the second treatment today so will hopefully see better results. Ultimately will be better than creams and shaving just got 6 weeks to go!!
There are NO PERMANENT RESULTS with the Lumea!
I have been using the Lumea for over 5 months and have had treatments at salons before, experienced hair-fighter…
A reader stated above that after 8 weeks, he has achieved permanent results by 95%?! Get real please! Considering the growth cycle of the hair roots, it is impossible to know already at this stage.
Same reader has also stated that he uses the Lumea more often than the reccomended timeframe. In other words, what has happened is that his hair roots have simply been “relentlessly shocked” and as a result the hair roots are not capable of reproducing at this point.
My goal is for the truth to come out and for others considering buying the Lumea to know the facts (my goal is not to criticize the reader).
I too, as many others, became blinded by the name IPL… BUT it has nothing to do with real IPL treatments at salons. (There are pocket-size flashlights and then there are heavy duty spotlights… but both could be called “light producing devices” – just like a toy such Lumea IPL and heavy duty salon IPLs).
By the way, as stated in a comment above, the argument of using Lumea (or such home devices) in order to save money compared with salon treatments; it is NOT a valid argument.
The Lumea works but has to keep on being used – no permanent results.
A long time ago (about 20 years!) I bought a hair removal system from Argos where you inserted a really fine needle down the root of the hair and zapped it. It was painful, it took ages, it was fiddly and the hairs grew back. Or rather, some of them did. Most of them disappeared for ever, and I mean forever. However, in the time before I realised this I threw the machine away. Then it was taken off the market (I hope not because it was dangerous!) I’ve often wondered if there is anything like this still out there. Does anybody know?
Hi, kan you just use it on the bikini line or can you use it on the labia minora as well? not worth buying if i will need to go and wax the rest anyway..
ty
Hi, I just had my second session with Lumea (legs and underarms), and so far i have seen NO RESULTS. Actually becuase i shaved my hair has grown thicker and faster (compare to waxing). Will keep posting how it goes in the next sessions. At least it doesnt hurt.
Hi, The process where you use a needle down the hair shaft is called electrolysis. A lot of beauty salons do this and it’s permanent. I have had my face ‘done’ by this method, starting 14 years ago. Now I want to move onto the body so need a quicker method. I was planning on purchasng a phllips Lumea and have researched for a few weeks now. Thought i’d have one last read up on reviews before order and i’ve now just changed my mind… I’m gong down the salon IPL route!!! I am a female and have dark body hair just about EVERYWHERE. I get a 5 o’clock shadow on my armpits after shaving so I think the Salon method sounds the most permanent and best for me now. I’ve already spent thousands of pounds on electrolysis over the years whch has made me delghtfully happy so I’m ready spend that again to sort out some body hairs!
Does anyone know if there is a salon machine make that works better than others or doesn’t it matter?
I have been using the Lumea for about 2 and a half months now, and have seen great results. I am a fair female with very dark hair, and could not bare to shave everyday anymore! I have used Laser and waxing before, but nothing has been permanent. Although the Lumea is not a permanent solution, it does what it says and I can do it at home. I have noticed however that once I got a tan it was a bit more painful to use, so I would definitely read all instructions carefully. Overall I am very happy with my purchase.
I am almost 4 months in to using the device now.
In areas where I have tried to thin the hair, there is regrowth. But *all* the hairs have come back thinner and lighter, sometimes blonde. It is a different result than regrowth after waxing, you can really see the hairs are different than before. The most dramatic results are on the thickest darkest hairs.
In other areas where I have aimed for clear skin by using it every 3 weeks, there is very little regrowth at all, perhaps as low as 5%. Very happy with the results, it would be interesting to leave these areas alone for an extended period to see how permanent the results are.
So at this stage, I can say for certain that it does reduce the hair density, and makes the hair grow back thinner and lighter, as the product promises to do. It is too early to say whether the hair is “permanently reduced” as it says in the manual. It is convenient to use, and even if the results turn out to be temporary, they look great between treatments, and it beats any other home-based method.
I’ve been using the device now for just over 2 months, i thought it would be some kind of miricale which would remove all my unsightly hair, however i’m not seeing that great of a difference.
I have noticed hair reduction about 25%, and it does work better around the bikini line than other areas, but overall it’s not as amazing as i expected.
I’m going to stick with it for another few months and will update again. I’m indian, so mid brown skin and black hair, i was impressed that this device could work on my skin type, but perhaps because i can’t go over the level 3 settings it takes longer? let me know those who have white skin and dark hair if you have achieved beeter results?
hi
i just want to ask i have ingrow hair will the Philips Lumea IPL hair removal system will work on my ingrow hair or not.
Hi,
Good thing your are saved by Philips Lumea.
My leg is also hairy. I am so shy to to show my legs especially when I’m at the beach. But good thing Permanent Hair Removal that help me with matter. I am really thankful to its.
Thanks. More power.
Hi,
I just got the Phiilips Lumea lazer machine. I have very light skin, dark hair. I dad one treatment on the setting 3-4 level for full bikini, and underarms. It did hurt a bit, and for the level 5 I was scared to go to for the first time (as it says in the instructions – for the first time try with the comfortable level). After the treatment I had no redness, or any other discomfort. So, it has been a 3rd day since the treatment, and as for the results – I do not see any difference. The hair started to grow back as usual. I have done (about 3 years ago, about 3-4 laser treatments in the professional salon). Therefore, I know how it suppose to be after the laser treatment. On the about 3rd your hair starts to shade, fall out, and even the new hair will be washed away in the shower by the sponge. With this one – it does not seem to happen. I am only assuming, that it is for the first treatment and I did not used it on the highest (5) level. Maybe…. So I will wait till next time and try it on level 5. Already, I have a feeling that it was a mistake to by Lumea. I will keep posting my results. Thanks.
Alina
To All,
The Lumea is a fantastic machine for hair removal, it is expensive but worth every penny. The Boots smooth skin is also good however you only get 10,000 flashes and then light bulbs have to be replaced at £50 a time. Lumea has 46,000 and can be used for 4-5 years according to Philips guidelines, then you have to replace the machine. If you calculate the prices over the years the Lumea works out cheaper, its handy as there are no cables, the window is bigger and you don’t need to use any gels…
It 100% does not hurt only a warm sensation – You must remove hair before using it as it can leave a burning smell (after all you are sending pulses of light through ur skin).
You can never 100% say when the Lumea will take affect as everyone’s individual hair growth is different. You must follow Philips guidelines thoroughly to achieve the best results such as every 2 weeks do armpits and bikini and once a month legs.
The Lumea will begin to take affect in small patches and then will remove all hair. IPL is not a permanent system and therefore hair will come back if treatments are stopped – however you can go months without doing anything…
I work for Boots and in large boots stores all over the UK there are currently Lumea demonstrators over the xmas period. If you have questions pop into your local large Boots and have a good chat with the demonstrators.
Hopefully some of this information will help you all..
🙂
Hi
I would love to buy this product the only thing I ve heard that after 10 0r 11 you have charged the machine, the battery dies. I have also heard that there is no way to buy a new battery and therefore a new Philiphs needs to be bought. It is that true? please someone answer my question
Hi…
Thanks for posting about lumea. I am curious to know about the side effects, if any. I recall, someone I knew had undergone laser treatment and ended up having black spots on the skin. She was a brown lady and had done the treatment on face.
And, IPL sounds like a laser treatment is there any possibility of skin cancer?
Apologies if I sound a bit negative but I have heard of some really nasty stories about hair removal approaches..
Cheers
I would class myself as a very hairy lady, very unflattering… shave, and its back and itching by the morning, wax, and by the time my skin settles the hair is back.
I bought one of these, and its brill, after just 3 goes, I can already see a difference. I did a lot of research before spending this amount of money, but desperate to make some changes, I took the chance, and am so glad I have.
It can be quite difficult to get to some of the areas, but underarms after just 3 times, is almost clear, the bikini area, I can see a hugh difference and bald patches already, and the legs, the hair growth has totally slown down..
No side affects, just make sure you follow the instructions… I think its fab…E
Hi everyone,
I’m thinking about buying the Lumea. But I have a question, can I use the Lumea on areas I can not see? I have really dark hair on the back of my upper legs.. so I would need a mirror for using it. Would it be dangerous?
Thanks!
I had a chat session with the manufacturer about Lumea about using on face. They haven’t tested it on face!
They will not guarantee it for facial hair and worry about risk of BLINDING yourself, and DELICATE SKIN SENSITIVITY
I imagine that you could also damage your eyes if you look down at it while doing your armpits too! (since your might be bringing the underside of the device upwards to make skin contact)
There is a UV FILTER so I presume it’s not a great risk for melanoma
Hope these details are useful
Use your skills and
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Hello there
I was just wondering if anyone with PCOS has used the Lumea?
I’ve been trying to decide whether or not to buy a Lumea, as i have a lot of hair growth on my face and neck – I’m a pale skined red-head (but the hair on my face is very dark); just wanted to see what people thoughts were before i parted with £400!
Thank you everyone…H
Have used this for 3 months now, every two weeks, which beats shaving, definately waxing. But the hairs still keep coming, although thinner and patchier. No ingrowing hairs, no pain but a bit tricky to use in bikini area as it works best on flat surface and gets tricky around curves and bones. Overall a winner but you need patience and perseverance!
Instructions say ‘do not use on face’ but no reason given. Haven’t tried that yet, has anybody?
Can someone make a laser hair removal kit you can use at home with permanent destruction of the hair so it never grows back.
I have seen a few products in the last few years and always get disappointed when i read the reviews.
Hello there,
I bought Lumnea Phillis about 3 weeks ago and I have used it on my legs , bikini and underarms, up to now good results, i am quite although is too soon to tell.The only negative is the battery does not last that long.
I eas wondering has anyone used it in their face?? I know it is not reccomended but I am tempted to try…
OK, what am I doing wrong? I have been using Silkepil for hair-removing every week or fortnight for years. I stopped and started shaving when I bought Lumea in January to remove my armpits,legs and bikini line hair. I still have to shave every 2 days and my legs are really prickly, any recommendations to improve my results? Thanks
I tried the Tria was and was greatly disappointed. So I’m looking through Google for options and come across this sight. At first I was excited but after a little digging I don’t see it available in the USA. think I found some Boots Smooth Skin but not the Lumea.. I fear that the FDA over has not permitted it yet.
just want to say that you can buy Philips Lumea in John Lewis for £285 (good price!). And I’ve tried this 3 times now, happy with the results so far 🙂
Hi,
I’m medium toned of Indian ethnicity and recently purchased the Philips Lumea. So far I have had really good results!
I was very hesistant to buy it but decided to go ahead and cant wait to continue using it.
I’m going to be doing reviews on my blog if anyone is interested in seeing how it pans out.
Thanks,
Mo
http://www.teenytinymo.blogspot.com
Hi,
I’m just wondering if you can use the Lumea every week because my hair has grown back in a number of days? Why do they say every two weeks?
Thanks
I have got Lumea, just bought..can someone tel me, i am asian with medium brown skin and black hair.. I have kept it between intensity 2 – 3 and feel a bit of heat at every shot..does that mean i am doing it right?.. How much shud one feel to be sure that using it right.
Hi, recently bought Lumea.. just wanted to know how does one establish that you r using the rite intensity.. Does feeling a bit of heat after every shot means that you have selected the rite intensity??. i am asian with medium skintone and black hair.I want to know from anyoe who is getting great results, what do they feel after each shot??
I think the problem is that most want permanent hair removal.. Unfortunately, I do not think a laser that strong will ever be available to the general public.. I am currently training to be a beauty therapist, to do permanent hair removal you’d need to be trained. Just think about it for a minute, IPL is a serious piece of equipment that can do wonders.. but not in a couple of sessions even though the light/laser is much stronger and can do damage if not properly used in the right way.
I just bought a Phillips Lumea for one reason and one reason alone – I can’t shave regularly, or wax, due to a skin condition, and I’m allergic to all hair removal creams, lotions and potions. For somebody like me, even if this product merely prevents the hairs from being as dark, or makes them finer, resulting in me shaving even less, and saving my skin, then I’m a happy bunny! I don’t expect any home system to prevent hair regrowth 100%, but any amount of reduction is a bonus, right?
I’m not sure I’m buying it.. :/ I’ve gone through several hair removal sessions by professionals in the past and after a few years hair started growing again, so even then it wasn’t perfect. So I’m not sure I believe any of those at-home-infra-red hair removals, best epilator for women are ones that manage to grab the finest and shortest hairs, and that’s it. No need for anything more.
I just purchased this IPL device. Before I bought it I looked the prices on it and in Australia it’s worth $1’200. Then I looked on eBay and purchased one for $499 brand new directly from Britain. So if there are an Aussies out there concerned about the price check out eBay!!
It really is such a bargain compared to professional treatment prices! But, just fyi, I have done a lot of research and for you guys out there…it’s supposed to hurt worse for you. Has something to do w/ hormones (also don’t use when it’s your period = more painful).
So its been 2 years, have you posted an update on this? And how can you do a test if you have previously/are currently using a different brand of at home IPL hair removal?
Hi Anon.. good point. When I trialled the Lumea I had to go to a hotel several times to use it.. I was never allowed to bring it home! Two years on and after using it for the alloted time, I would say I have less hair under the arms but it is not gone for good. However, there is a new, updated Lumea coming out which I will be able to trial longer term at home. The Me My Elos – seriously I have not been able to make this work at all.
By less hair, do you mean finer hair or bald patches?
Bald patches. Been using it for 2 months 🙂 lots of bald patches!