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Original poster

Home laser/IPL hair removal

13 replies

clevername · 07/08/2017 11:16

Hi all

It's my birthday really soon and I'm being bought one of those home laser/IPL hair removal things (aren't I lucky?!).

I thought the Philips Lumea was the only one available but now I've realised that are other options and I'm a bit confused as to which one is best... and as they're really expensive I don't want to make the wrong choice.

I think I've narrowed it down to either the Lumea or the Tria Laser. Does anyone have any experience of either (or both?!) that might help me to choose between the two?

I've got very fair skin and dark hair, so I'm apparently the perfect person for this kind of thing to work well on. I'm planning on using it mainly on my bikini area, but might also do my top lip (and possibly pits and legs if I can be bothered!!!).

Cheers

OP posts:
HateSummer · 07/08/2017 11:23

I've only got a Lumea and it's been a life changer for me. I can't recommend it highly enough. Im not sure about tria laser, but I'd rather trust a proper brand like Philips.

Original poster
clevername · 07/08/2017 11:33

Thanks, Summer.

What model do you have? I'm looking at the SC2009 (cheaper) and the BRI956 (mega bucks!) at the moment...

OP posts:
HateSummer · 07/08/2017 11:37

I'm not sure, I think I have the SC2009, as I got it back in 2014. But even almost 3 years on, it's working brilliantly. The thing is, once you start, you use it less and less with longer times in between, so it's not something that gets used to death quickly iykwim.

Original poster
clevername · 07/08/2017 11:48

Thank you again.

So, does it work well on bikini area? I am the hairiest of Marys and this is the area that I most want to zap! Some of the reviews on Amazon seem to suggest that it doesn't... and I would be really gutted if this was the case with me (I'm not asking you to offer any guarantees for me - I know you can't do that!).

Also, I had it in my head that it was sort of permanent - as in, once you'd done all the necessary zapping, the follicle was dead and hair didn't grow anymore but I'm now getting the impression I'm wrong about that... you just need to zap less frequently. Is that right?

Sorry for all of the questions!

OP posts:
emmeline7725 · 07/08/2017 11:54

I have the smooth skin gold. I think It's only available in boots.

Like you, I'm fair with dark hair and it was coarse and stubbly even a few hours after shaving.

My life has been totally changed by it. I no longer have any under arm hair and virtually none on my legs. (Bizarrely, my knees seem a bit resistant to the laser so I have to keep on lasering them!)

I have used mine on my bikini line and the hair has more or less gone and what's left is very fine.

I would say though, when you're in the process of shaving and lasering make sure you never shave without following it with the laser. I did this once or twice and I felt that it restimulated the hair growth and it went back to being a bit stubbly.

Hope it works for you!

RubaDubMum89 · 07/08/2017 11:56

Shamelessly place marking. Might start saving for one of these if it's worth it! I'm olive skinned (half Italian) and dark haired (also a hairy Mary) would it work do you recon?

Wheelycote · 07/08/2017 12:20

Watching with interest

AwakeCantSleep · 07/08/2017 12:32

The lumea is so worth its money. I got an end of line model two years ago (corded). I use it on under arms, bikini area and lower legs. I only need to it once every few months now.

My model doesn't have the attachment for facial use. That's the only thing I'd change.

SleepingBooty · 07/08/2017 12:36

I love my lumea. Underarm mostly gone, bikini line is gone and most importantly the black wiry facial hairs have gone. I don't have the patience to do my legs so they're patchy but don't grow back as fast as they used to.

Original poster
clevername · 07/08/2017 12:54

Brill, thanks guys.

Think I've decided on the Lumea BRI950... quite excited!!!

OP posts:
bigsighall · 07/08/2017 12:58

I've got the lumea (quite an old one) and it's great. Recommend

HateSummer · 07/08/2017 15:12

I'm light brown and have dark hair, it worked well on my bikini area m so I think it would definitely work on light skin and dark hair.

So in answer to your question, yes you have to keep topping up, but this becomes less frequent as the hair grows in different cycles, so it'll take a few cycles to zap them all. Every couple of months you may see some hair sprouting again (much finer mind you) so you just zap as you see. That's what I do anyway!

Haffiana · 07/08/2017 19:04

I have just finished my 4th and final initial 2 weekly zap. When I shaved prior to doing this last zap I already had no hairs left on my legs, and just one small tuft on one armpit. My chin bristles and 'tache have completely gone except for a couple of transparent hairs. Hopefully (and according to the instructions) that will be it for the next 3-4 months!

I am seriously impressed. It is a bit of a pfaff doing it, but once every two weeks is bearable. Next year I will start in early spring so that I don't have to be shaving or zapping through the Summer.

I bought the 1997 corded version because I don't want to be having to remember to charge it, nor having the issue reported here of the rechargeable battery permanently dying if you don't charge it every couple of months or so. Don't bother with the attachments - you don't need them, and probably won't use them. The 1995 is probably the best and cheapest option.

www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B013U94T4U?ref=emc_b_5_t&tag=mumsnetforum-21

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