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.

Phew - thank you so much for this heads up - mine has just switched on and is now charging..... I haven't used it in about 6 months because I am too lazy you would think they really would push this info on people. Ridiculous to have just a 1 liner hidden in the booklet when they cost so much money!

Ridiculous to have just a 1 liner hidden in the booklet when they cost so much money!
I can't agree more. The sceptical part of me wonders if it's deliberate to force people to taste and see how good it is, then need to buy a replacement.

BanbooShoots
I received an email response about the £200 corded version, they say it's for the whole body which includes bikini and face.

Also found that link you asked for: http://www.philips.co.uk/c-p/BRI861_00/lumea-essential-ipl-hair-removal-device this link says clearly it is good for face and bikini too. But buy it from Boots at £175 if you're going to!

Thank you OP!!! Mind is charging. Only had it last Christmas so will be bloody fuming if it's died.

I was pretty user as I'd only used it for one season. Stopped using it when I fell ill and when I tried to resume business as usual, found it to be dead as a dodo.

I'm the read-every-word-in-the-manual type as well, but just would not have realised the importance of that instruction. I honestly thought it was a suggestion to enable you to grab it and use it without having to charge it first, you know, like an optional convenience.

*User should read as upset.

Shit, bought mine in March and only used 1 cycle. Haven't charged since. If it is dead how long is the warranty?

Usually 2 years

Will recharge tonight, thanks for the heads up!

You might be okay if you bought it in March this year. I have heard some people reported the newer models seem to hold the battery charge longer between sessions, so they won't die so easily. I don't know if this is true or not, certainly when I spoke to Phillips they said it is clearly in the manual and needs to be followed! This suggested to me that every device could be the same. However couple of people even on this thread have worried about being caught out and have turned it on and found it still works luckily. So you might be okay. In fact, because you bought it in March this year, you will definitely be okay! You know soon as you plug it in, because if the green light doesn't come on at all, I'm afraid it's game over.

Does it hurt to use?

It didn't for me. I once did level 5 which felt like a small elastic band snapping sharply on one sensitive spot on my underarm so I went down a notch and was fine after that.

So is it any good, once you know that? I've been wondering about it on and off. Mainly for underarms. A lot of my hair is translucent. Where I have a mix of dark and light hair, will it work on the dark and ignore the light? That would be OK for me I think.

From what I know it needs light skin and dark hair. Red, white or very light blond hair, or very dark skin wouldn't work.

Another one thanking the op! I haven't used mine for about 8 months but it's charged successfully, I'd have been really annoyed if it had hadn't given how much it cost!

ARgh old one was faulty they sent a new replacement - guess I'd better dig it out and see if it works...

Thanks Nosuchthing. Mine seems to be charging after 8 months in the drawer! Fingers crossed. Sorry about yours

Thanks OP! Mine is charging now!

I'm really rubbish at using it, despite having a reminder on my phone. I think I'm going to stick it on eBay!

Thanks so much op, I think I've just caught mine in time

I haven't bought one - yet but I will remember your thread NoSuchThing when I do! Thank you very much for taking the time to highlight this and let us know...unlike Philips. It does make you wonder if it's an oversight or deliberate. I mean let's face it, it wouldn't hurt profits having a load of customers having to rebuy a product way sooner than necessary

I haven't used mine for a couple of years! Put it away when pregnant and haven't had time to start it again. I will be annoyed if it doesn't work.

good luck with that one!

Looks like it's dead. I'm glad I was forewarned though! I'm still going to complain because there is nothing in the instructions that indicates that if you don't charge it it will become unusable. I suspect that part was very carefully worded. I do know someone who works at Philips so if I get nowhere with customer services I might see if she'll forward some feedback.

They do have just one line in the instructions: charge every 3 to 4 months whether you use it or not.

They may argue it's in the instructions (they did with me). If it's in warranty they will replace it but you're in real trouble if it's older than 2 years old. There's no point in having a lifetime worth of lamp flashes if the thing only lasts 2 years though! Plus no one is going to pay £500 every 2 years, especially if they made the instructions clearer people wouldn't get caught out.