Philips Lumea IPL - FAQ thread for owners

[Marmablade]

There are a number of 'should I buy?' threads but I thought a 'now I've bought' thread would be handy for people to refer to. I've only just started using it but have a couple of questions/answers to the 'is this normal?' theme.

Should it have a two pin (European) plug or 3 pin UK plug if I bought it in the UK? It should be 3 pin. If it's a 2 pin plug there's been a mistake so you should take it/send it back for a swap.

Will it hurt? For me 5 is too 'zappy' and I can only cope with 4 but others may be along to say 5 is fine for them. But it's 'normal' to not use the full strength, that's why there are multiple settings because everyone is different!

All others Qs & As for newbie owners/long time users welcome!

Brilliant! How long did pale skin and dark hair users take until they saw a difference?

Can I use it once a week, impatient? Has anyone done that?

Will it hurt?

Only if you leave ANY hair unshaved prior to using, otherwise, no, it doesn't hurt at all.

How long did pale skin and dark hair users take until they saw a difference?

I have very pale skin and almost black dark hair, so the 'perfect candidate'. Everyone will have a different answer as everyone's hair is different, but my hair is thick and coarse, and this has been my experience.

About 8 weeks, 4 sessions in total, maybe even 6 sessions. Legs were the first to take effect, I now rarely use the IPL on my legs and rarely shave. The occasional hair will grow about an inch long in that time and it's pretty scary I forget my leg hair exists. VERY big deal for someone who had to shave daily!

Underarm hair took 6 sessions, but again, I now only have to do maintenance IPL every now and again. Upper lip hair has been a little more stubborn, it has a tendency to regrow and not stay put like the leg and underarm.

Bikini - sigh..... this is taking a long time to IPL away, but it is the coarsest of the coarse and I still think I'll reach a day where it is no more. TBH I haven't been a consistent every-2-week user, hence why I think it's been so stubborn.

Can I use it once a week, impatient? Has anyone done that?

Pre-holiday impatience has led to me doing this, and it does work....not sure it's recommended long term though so I didn't do it too often.

Should it have a two pin (European) plug or 3 pin UK plug if I bought it in the UK?

Having bought a two pin hair dryer in the past, get it replaced, it's the biggest pain to use as it constantly falls out of the convertor plug.

Oh this is brilliant! I just got one and I've done one treatment so far just on my upper lip and chin. I plan to do the lot though when I properly get to grips with it. I noticed a slight improvement even after the first go I'd say. I normally have to tackle some lip / chin hairs every day.

I'm also dark haired but have medium skin tone so I'm hoping for good results. The sensor recommended me to go straight to level 5 and I didn't find it painful.

It says in the book to not do it if you have any fake tan on... Is this very important do you think? I'm not normally without a little bit at least!

^ was just about to post - I’ve done it with make up on and burnt a thin layer of skin. I imagine it will do the same.

Oh ok! Glad I asked, thank you!!

How quickly will I see results?

I've done 2 sessions on my underarms and there's been a massive reduction. I've done 2 on my legs and there's not nearly as much of a noticeable difference. 2 on my bikini line - not much difference either.

Philips had a price reduction last week, so combined with the 15% first order discount, I've managed to get the prestige for under £300. Arrived today and so far I've done underarms and chin. Had a bit of a wobble reading the book where it says a rare side effect can be increased hair growth. Surely not common, I'm desperate to get rid of my chin hair.

I have olive skin (probably the deepest it ever usually is because I've been away on holiday - my legs get a lot paler in the winter) with dark hair. From the pics do you think it might with my skin tone?
Not bothered about hairs on my arms really - even though they are quite Yeli like!
Would like to use it on my legs/bikini/and underarms (which all have a big contrast)
Photo of my leg shows 1 days stubble.

Not sure where else I can ask?
Do John Lewis sell them in-store?
Thanks!

I bought the old lumea comfort which was the cheaper smaller model. Did nothing for my facial hair and Philips refunded the money. But I read on one of the Mumsnet threads that the more expensive Lumeas work better. Is that the case?

I've just got one, used it on my lower legs, bikini line and underarms.
Underarms only took about 6zaps each and I started to wonder if it will work because it just seems too easy.
I'm doing my lip tomorrow because I've got a day off on Thursday and I'm worried about redness or something else going wrong.
My question is about moles, I saw someone on the other thread saying you shouldnt use it on moles at all.
Is it dangerous?
I did notice it hurt on my mole on lower leg but nothing too bad.
My problem is I've got a mole on my upper lip, one big one in bikini area and my thighs are covered.

How long does it take to do a full leg? I gave up epilating because it took so feckin long!

Been using my Lumea for a few weeks now.
About to do my 4th session on my legs.

But, I was planning to put fake tan on tomorrow.
I know fake tan shouldn't be used before using Lumea... but has anyone applied it around 24 hours after?

My lower leg took less than 5 minutes, so a full leg would take 10 I guess.
Although I am tiny and also not convinced I'm doing it right as it seems too easy. Only used mine once so far.

I’m debating this but worried about marks on upper lip. I get a pigmentation mark if I get a cut or eczema. Does this mean it’s risky to try this?

Just popping in to say Lumea prestige is £299 today on Amazon prime day

Sorry to jump on this thread...If they work so well, would a second hand one be a good investment, or is that too unhygienic?

I’ve just ordered the prestige off amazon for £279. Bargain!

It went down after I bought it and they automatically refunded me the difference! Didn't even have to ask. I was very pleased. Now to test it out...

@glasshalfsomething I'm not sure. Don't think you're meant to share them but I can't quite tell you why?

Absolutely no reason not to share them. In fact they once did some marketing that suggested buying one between friends.

How is it with fine blonde hair? I know that’s not the ideal type for these

Brilliant thread. Can you only shave hair or can you wax/thread? I ask because i have bad facial hair but dont want to shave it.

You can wax but then need to leave it a few days before using Lumea.

Afraid it probably won’t do much on fine blonde hair, it needs the colour difference between skin and hair to work properly.