I HAVE to review this! Philips Lumea.

[Stellaaaaa]

I read about the Lumea on here and ended up ordering the plus one.

Bit of background:

I am white with dark hair that is really quite coarse. I've struggled with body hair all my life and quite frankly just gave up the last few years because my regrowth is awful.

Even shaving my armpits I would have itchy stubble within 12-14 hours.

My bikini area I just left as a bush because the itching with shaving would be immediate and the regrowth came through within hours.

So I bought the Lumea a few weeks ago. Used it on my pits, facet, bikini area, legs.

I wasn't sure anything was happening first because I shaved, zapped and straight away the normal regrowth came through but I did my 2nd round 2 weeks later Sunday and my god. I would say 60-70% of my bikini line hair is gone. I vet had no itching.

Same with my underarms!
I didn't end up doing my legs Sunday (need to)

And I would say 90% of my lip hair is gone!!

It's absolutely amazing. I'm writing this because the hefty price really put me off but I'm so glad I got it and I'm only 2 weeks in with 2 treatments done!!

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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.

But I only get that when it's turned up to 5 AND on a sensitive area.

You're hardcore!

Don't you have to avoid sunlight for 2 weeks afterwards? Are you having to hide your legs?

...and how to keep sunlight off your face for 2 weeks?

Have to say I have one & haven't got the results some of you have. It seems to have slowed growth rate but that's about it-had it for about 9 months & use it on number 5.

I bought mine 3-4 years ago so I don't think it's current anymore? It came with two heads. The smaller one can be used on the face. I use it on my upper lip.

It doesn't hurt compared to waxing.

And I don't avoid the sun after doing it. But then I don't sun bathe.

Any mousy-haired Lumea users out there? What kind of results did you have? I have read lots of rave reviews by people who, like the OP, are dark-haired, and that isn't me at all, though I am very pale. Is the Lumea as effective for us mousy types?

WalkingThePlank you don't need to avoid sunlight afterwards, but full on sun bathing isn't recommended for a few days.

Here the FAQ on it:

www.p4c.philips.com/cgi-bin/cpindex.pl?ctn=TT3003/11&dct=QAD&faqview=1&refdisplay=F02_TANNINGWHILEIPL_001&refnr=0087060&scy=CH&slg=AEN

I desperately want one of these, now which one of my children should I sell?

I used to epilate but it just took to long and I was very lazy about using it, so legs were rarely hair-free and never actually felt smooth.

I have recently gone back to shaving and am doing it every day or every other day. I can feel stubble within 12 hours but it's not visible until around 36 hours.

I think I need to start a saving fund, perhaps they'll come down a bit in price?

I am so tempted to use my clubcard boost vouchers for one of these babies. Can you use while pregnant does anyone know?

Interestingly the darker your skin the more painful it is as your skin has to absorb more light to zap the follicle.

sebmummy I used it while pregnant with DD2. But I avoided the bikini area. It's a pulse light so there is no way a bright flash of light would affect a foetus If it's on the underarm I would think. But I'm not so sure about around the belly. Philips says don't use it while pregnant or breastfeeding. I also used it while bf both DDs.I'm sure it's because they haven't tested it not that it's unsafe.

When you say it doesn't hurt, what are you comparing that to? I am an absolute wuss. Because if you also think that epilating doesn't hurt, then we have very different pain thresholds. Epilating really hurts, IMO.

I don't want to spend ??? on something that I find too painful to use.

But I am soooo tempted. Legs, underarms, tummy, bikini line ...

It really doesn't hurt, most of the time you just feel a bit of heat. As someone else said, if you use it on high on a sensitive area it's a bit like being flicked with an elastic band but only lasts a second.

Regarding the people asking about using it while pregnant, my friend called Philips to check if she could use hers while expecting and apparently there is no particular reason why you can't, they just haven't researched it on pregnant women so err on the side of caution with their advise.

Ahoy there MNHQ. We obviously need to do a product test on this.

Sadly I suspect it wouldn't work on my mousy hair.

its on John Lewis for £299 at the moment - its usually £349

Is it only effective on dark hair?

I may have to save for one, rather tired of my hairy toes and 'D'Hs comments, mmm

Mm, I have verypale skin and very dark hair. I've used it four times and no difference in amount or speed of re growth yet. Dd also using it and no difference.

Thanks TheFlis. I must have got confused with another product.

Have been reading Amazon reviews. It appears that you have to shave before using it. Does this apply on the face? I'm not sure I can shave and have stubble!

The thing you have to remember is that plucking or waxing encourages new hair growth. Shave or use depilatory cream.
Effective laser treatment works but is a risk if you have skin that tans easily. Sunblock is a must. IPL slows hair growth but doesn't kill the roots...it weakens or retards new hair.
My beautician, a hirsute Asian lady told me electrolysis is the only permanent methods. I can vouch for that.

I'm so tempted to splurge on one but worried it will be waste of money. I've had electrolysis and the hair eventually grew back.

I'm saving my Boots points til the end of time until I have enough to get one. Maybe in a couple of years I'll have enough.

meglet you own the machine so you can do maintenance on the re growth.

Have just ordered it from Boots - the SC2006 version. Originally £450 - reduced to £300 and then I found a 10% discount code (DAD10) which took it to £270. Still chuffing expensive but 40% off in total so thought I'd get it.