Very tempted to get a Lumea - talk me into it!

[Lottapianos]

I have heard very good things about Lumeas and I'm talking myself into getting one. Here's why:

• I have dark hair and pale skin, which I believe gives optimal results
• I can do it myself at home without getting my kit off in a salon
• the cost of a Lumea is roughly what I spend on waxing in a year, with much more long lasting results

I have had my upper legs and bikini line waxed for about ten years, and lower legs for about five years. I go for waxing about once a month so the hair is a lot lighter and weaker than it used to be, but I still need waxing every 4-6 weeks. If I buy the Lumea, do I stop all forms of hair removal, wait for hair to start growing out and zap it then? I currently shave my underarms but would like to use the Lumea on them too

All advice and recommendations welcome

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Looking for advice before buying an at-home IPL device? You’ve come to the right place. Check out our guide to buying and using a Philips Lumea - complete with FAQS, tips, and recommendations from the most discerning shoppers out there: Mumsnetters. MNHQ.

[FrazzleRock]

I have one and it hasn't worked for me. I use it all the time. I have pale skin and dark hair too. I have PCOS though so I guess I am fighting a losing battle with hormones

[ByeByeLilSebastian]

Lumea half price for now, get it quick!

[Lottapianos]

Need more info before taking the plunge!

[Lottapianos]

Any Lumea fans around?

[MinnieMinchkin]

I have dark hair and pale skin. The instructions tell you to use it on shaved areas every couple of weeks to start with. I'm now on the maintenance phase so use it once every couple of months.

Underarms and bikini line were smoother after two uses and now totally smooth. No regrowth and far better results than I ever had from waxing, epilating or shaving. My legs naturally have more of a mix of dark and light hair. The lighter hair still grows but is not as noticeable now the dark hair doesn't grow.

I'd say it's a worthwhile investment!

[CoolCarrie]

Go for it OP! You won't regret it. Honestly worth every penny. I am pale skin, dark hair and I use my Braun Silk epil to remove the hair, then the next evening go over the areas to slow down the growth. It works brilliantly for me so far.
You need to make sure that the glass panel makes contact with the skin or it won't flash, and don't look at the flash as it could give you a headache. I use a white eye pencil on leg areas to mark out the places treated, which is a tip I read on MN, so you don't go over the same places.

[CoolCarrie]

Oh another poster mentioned that if you store unused it for long periods then you must charge it anyway. Something in the small print about the battery.

[Lottapianos]

Thanks Carrie. Yes I had heard that you have to charge it regularly.

So just to be really thick, I'm booked in for my next wax mid December, will probably have regrowth by early Jan. When should I start to use Lumea?

[Whenisright]

Anyone know if you can use it whilst breastfeeding?

[sksk]

How painful is it? Is it as bad as yag laser (I find laser to be very painful in certain areas and mildly painful in other areas).

[DianaT1969]

It isn't painful. I have dark hair and celtic skin. It thinned the growth on my legs but not much noticeable difference on upper lip, underarm and bikini. I'm supposed to be in maintenance phase having bought it in May, but nowhere near that. Will go to top level for all areas and start over as if a beginner. As it thinned my legs substantially there is hope.

[BagelGoesWalking]

That Boots deal doesn't look very good! It's on around £250 all the time on Amazon

[Kai1977]

I have olive skin and dark hair. Sorry but it's pretty painful for me! I use an icepack beforehand and it's fine then (on highest setting). I suspect it's mainly down to the strength of my hair and the darker skin as well.

That said, I've seen good results from it.

[LoftDweller]

I also have dark hair and pale skin. I'm lucky to have minimal hair on my legs but my underarms were awful. Thick black hair like a man's beard and I had a 5 o'clock shadow immediately after shaving.

The lumea is honestly the best money I've ever spent. The results were noticeable really quickly and I recently went abroad for a week and only had to shave on day 6! I don't use it as often as I could either.

Pain wise, there's none at all to start with but after a while it gets a bit hot and you occasionally get an elastic band twang type pain. I just turn it off and let it cool for 5 minutes then carry on

[BusterGonad]

I almost bought one, on offer £100 pounds, walked around the shop with it in my trolley googling it, and realized you cannot use it on freckly skin! Thank god I googled as if I had bought it I wouldn't be able to get a refund!

[Lottapianos]

Oh dear, I have quite freckly shins due to sun damage years ago.

Sounds like mixed reviews, like many products

[Smellslikeoranges]

I love mine. I used to have really dark and thick hair on my legs and bikini line. Now I can go without shaving for 2 weeks in a pretty hot and sunny country in the summer. Before I would have been shaving everyday and getting 5 o'clock shadow. It took about 6 months though before I started seeing proper results. I am supposed to do a "maintenance" sweep every month, but it is more like every 2, after nearly 2 years of use.

Basically you shave your legs (or whatever body part) as usual then go over with the lumea. You'll notice that you'll need to shave less and less frequently. After moving to this very hot place, I have to say that it has changed my life! Seriously!!! I could never imagine going swimming on a whim before.

It doesn't work on the face or very well on the knees though. But fantastic for legs, bikini, chest (!) and underarms.

[BusterGonad]

OP look on the webpage for it. They have a Q&A page. I believe it's a cancer risk but please don't quote me! I'm researching epilators but I'm not sure about the pain factor

[Peopleplease]

whenisright as with most products it says it's not safe/recommended for use while pregnant/breastfeeding. A poster on another thread called them and Philips said that this was because they hadn't tested it - not because there was evidence it shouldn't be used. So the poster was using it while breastfeeding.

I'm thinking of getting one in January and I'll be breastfeeding.