WARNING All Philips Lumea users - you need to know this

[NoSuchThingAsThePerfectParent]

In the instructions manual, under the charging section, it states one line that is completely vital to the longevity of your device.

It says to charge the unit every 3-4 months, whether it is used or not.

What it doesn't tell you is that if you fail to do so, it dries the battery out and the whole thing becomes completely useless because the battery is not replaceable.

I've just been informed about this from the Philips website and a chat transcript.

They cost hundreds of pounds, so it is a very expensive mistake to make, and it is written in such a way as to be easily overlooked or forgotten about.

You probably all were completely aware of this already, but I have been caught out in what is probably the most expensive mistake of my life!

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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.

Thanks for this, I have an alarm on my phone to recharge the unit every month (as I thought it was) as I'm worried about this happening as I'm not using it whilst pregnant. Will do it every 3 months now

oh no! I haven't used mine for a while!!!

What is it?
I'm trying to guess what you wouldn't use for months at a time.
An epilator?
Maybe an electrical Christmas item
Is it an ebook?
A breast pump?

Thanks, I will charge mine regularly now I know.

It's an IPL hair removal system. The idea is that it inhibits hair growth but only temporarily, hence the need to re-do every 1-2 months. I didn't do a few cycles due to illness and then when I recharged it, it was dead as a dodo.

Yes mine died too and I had only done one leg .

Oh. I haven't charged mine in a couple of years. I spent £500 on mine! Great!

Sounds like they should make it more obvious.

Yes that's what I said to them. It's one to my line, not even old or with any explanation as to the importance. I feel it should be a red sticker in the device itself.

Thank you NoSuch, that is very good to know.

3luckystars, try google.

Thanks for the tip OP.

Thank you op! I haven't used mine in a few months and due to some very boring circumstances I won't be using it for at least another 2 months and wouldn't have even thought about charging it!

Just looked at the instructions, one tiny line in amongst a load of other stuff. You'd expect it to be bold and capitals and highlighted and saying THIS WILL DIE IF YOU DO NOT CHARGE IT

You've saved me a lot of money. Sorry yours died though!

Thank you for letting me know. I hadn't used mine for 2 months so am charging now. Fingers crossed not too late. The charge and pulse light is on so hopefully ok. Sorry about yours. Maybe tweet the warning whilst requesting a replacement in the same tweet, as companies often monitor social media.

Thanks for this OP, I had no Idea!

Thanks op.

Thanks for this, mine has worked so well on me that I use it very sporadically now and have just plugged it in to charge!

No I didn't know - thank you for this.

Now on charge and have set a reminder to do so regularly.

I would have been incredibly pissed off had I found it dead. It's a lot of money to lose!

Can I just barge in and ask if the Lumea is any good please?

I've used mine twice so far and there has been a noticeable slow down in the hair - it's becoming patchy now. So yes, I am happy with it so far. Which is good because it was expensive! However I waited until Boots had an offer on and got mine for £350 (normal price was £500) - plus it was a double points weekend as well

Thank you Paul. I have paid more than that for 9 sessions of underarm laser hair removal. It has been very effective at thinning the hair. It is finer and less noticeable but still there. If I see it reduced, I may buy one.

I did read that but I had forgotten about it and would probably have forgotten too through the winter when I will need whatever hair there is left to keep my legs warm! So thanks!

I'm getting satisfaction from the knowledge that if all 18 of you lost £300 each, I've just saved a collective grand total of over 5k!

A little silver lining.

Oh arse!

Can you replace the rechargeable battery in it? There is a particular type of battery that does this (dies!) if not recharged regularly, what a pain that it's that type in the expensive machine.

Unfortunately due to my fair hair and skin combo, it's not a machine I can use.

What? Yours is dead too?