Which IPL machine should I buy? Advice and experiences please.

[Blackbird1234]

Thanks to Mumsnet, I’ve discovered what an IPL machine is and I truly believe it’s the perfect solution for me. Thing is, I have no clue what’s out there and would really like some advice, please?

• First of all, which one?

I’ve read loads on here about the Philips Lumea and am happy to pay the high price for it, but there seem to be lots of different versions. I’d like to use it on my legs, bikini, armpits and arms (maybe facial hair as well) and have pale sensitive skin with dark hair. Which one is best for that?

• Maybe a silly question, but can you use the machine if you’ve got tattoos? I’ve got one on my leg and a couple on my arms, both places that I would like to use the machine - is it safe/ok to use it on tattoos? It won’t be a dealbreaker if I can’t as I can certainly work around the tattoos, but would rather know in advance.

I can’t think of any other questions as yet but please let me know your experiences and any advice that you have, thank you!

Bump?

I'm looking for one too. Same skin as yours. There's been some really detailed threads on this very recently, like about 3 months ago. Try searching for it.

I’m not sure if you can’t use them on tattoos, or it won’t work well.
I have a Smoothskin Gold, and it’s been brilliant, life changing I’d say.

I don't have one but I gather they work when there is a contrast between the skin colour and the hair colour - so I'd think a tattoo would be an issue there. The Lumea was on offer at Costco recently.

The reason I don't have one is because I am a fair-skinned, red-haired milkbottle - no contrast for the machine to pick up, unfortunately!

Lumea IPL - which one? www.mumsnet.com/Talk/_chat/3672964-Lumea-IPL-which-one.

Im sure there was a way more detailed thread recently though.

Philips Lumea essential with cord- I bought it for around £170. Worked a treat.

Thanks for the replies, I'll search for all of the other threads tomorrow :)

Does anyone know the difference between the cordless and with cord? If they're both essentially the same then I'd rather pay a bit less and get the one with cord.

www.mumsnet.com/Talk/style_and_beauty/3522092-Phillips-Lumea-has-changed-my-life?pg=9

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I think with the cord you just have to be close to a point and without you have to make sure it's charged. I got a cord one as only use it indoors!
I got a lumea and it's great. Can't recall which one. Not the most expensive.
If I was choosing again I would make speed a higher priority. There was one which reviews noted was very quick. And I think once you spend over a certain amount they all work pretty well, but the one I got is a bit slow (in between flashes). So the whole thing takes a while.