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Original poster

Philips Lumea Week 1

33 replies

Saysaysaythree · 27/09/2021 17:49

I have terrible hirsutism all over, it’s getting worse (I am 34) and it’s not PCOS. I have a very hair dad - thanks dad! Maybe it’s that. My mum doesn’t have this problem.

I’ve just started with the Lumea, legs and underarms first to see what it’s like. I have had bad experiences with IPL before where is actually made the hair thicker and longer.

3 days after the first treatment and all the hairs are continuing to grow as if nothing happened. I used setting 4. I’m going to keep posting with my progress but it’s not the most encouraging start!

Has anyone else had similar experiences? Especially with the stimulated growth?

OP posts:
HollyandIvyandAllThingsYule · 27/09/2021 17:51

That’s what happens.

You need to follow the plan and as the weeks/months pass the hair that grows back will be less and less until you’re hair free.

.

Strawbsaturno · 27/09/2021 18:15

It’s not a quick fix. I find it’s gradually lessoned over 9 months of use. It’s not as powerful as laser for example, but I use it for ‘top ups’ after extensive laser 10 years ago.

mushforbrain · 27/09/2021 18:20

Lumea didn’t quite have the impact I had hoped for, but then I have quite olive skin so I don’t think the colour difference between my skin and my hair is enough. It also takes ages to do my legs which I find really tedious.
But. It has really reduced the speed at which my zapped hair grows and in certain areas eg my armpits, it’s completely stopped most growth. So I’m happier with it than without it.

MimsyBorogroves · 27/09/2021 18:24

Watching with interest as I'm considering taking the plunge.

riromay · 27/09/2021 18:32

Can't wait to buy one and start (waiting to finish breastfeeding). Can I ask how long does it take to do your legs, underarms, etc?

Also, how often are you supposed to do it?

HollyandIvyandAllThingsYule · 27/09/2021 18:42

I do top lip and underarms whenever suits me in the morning. That only takes a few minutes.

Legs take about 45 min. I only do my lower legs though, from knee down. I watch/listen to YouTube or podcasts, or a programme or two of a series I like, whilst I do it. I don’t mind the time taken, I just look at it as relaxation (I find the repetitive movements quite soothing and therapeutic).

megletthesecond · 27/09/2021 18:45

I'm still zapping my legs twice a month, in month 10. Apparently I should only need monthly maintenance now.
In fact, I did an extra weekly one this week as I can't seem to kill some patches on my legs and keep shaving.

BobbinThreadbare123 · 27/09/2021 18:47

You have to persevere. I went right up to setting 5. I have black hair and very pale skin. Only do lip/toes with it as I don't mind shaving my legs if I can be arsed! I have found it hasn't got rid of the follicles, but it has lessened the hair considerably, and made it thinner/weaker.

Orangelizard · 27/09/2021 21:38

This is a stupid question BUT

I am a redhead in terms of head hair but the hair on my body is very dark.

Will it work for me?

Original poster
Saysaysaythree · 29/09/2021 14:24

I would do your research but it’s best suited to dark hair and pale skin.

I’m hoping for good results because it’s can’t stand the amount of time I have to put into shaving basically my whole body every other day. Not to mention the self loathing. Even if it reduces it then that will be a plus. Also it’s a lot cheaper now than it was so I decided to take the plunge.

I found it really easy to use. Just surprised that everything kept on growing in the week afterwards...but it’s early days!

I also use Vaniqa for my face and neck. I can’t believe how much worse my face and neck hair has become in my 30s. Bit worrying for the future really as it does impact me socially and I feel really conscious of it, it’s impossible to keep up with as always dark spots of new hairs sprouting through.

Exhausting!

OP posts:
Original poster
Saysaysaythree · 12/10/2021 20:51

I’ve just finished my second treatment. There’s been no difference from just one treatment. However after the second zap of my armpits, there are a few small patches that are bald, just one or two fingerprint patches, so this is something.

OP posts:
WhatsitWiggle · 12/10/2021 21:02

Keep going. I have dark hair and bought mine about 2 years ago when my chin started really sprouting thick black hair. I did my face and underarms to start and it took 3-4 sessions at level 5 (ouch) to notice the regrowth reduce, then another few months of 3-weekly maintenance to really zap it. The app suggested 6 weekly maintenance but I found the hair grew back after 4 weeks.

Now I can go weeks and it hasn't grown back but I zap every couple of months to keep at bay. I've also done my lower legs - successful except for knees but I suspect that's user error. And attempted my bikini but that hurt so bad that I couldn't keep it up and reducing to level 3 made no difference to the hair.

Original poster
Saysaysaythree · 12/10/2021 21:06

That’s good to know. Did you do every 2 weeks in the beginning as recommended? Or just every time you shaved? I’m having to shave as normal at the minute and frustrating waiting 2 weeks for the next treatment. Tempted to do it sooner.

Are the hairs finer? And did it help on your face or stimulate more hair anywhere there?

OP posts:
TheWholeWorld · 12/10/2021 21:12

Yeah it took me a good few goes to start seeing a difference in the facial hair - mine also started growing super quickly initially which was very disconcerting. But got it to a point where I started to feel less self conscious and didn't keep up with the schedule as you have to be careful in sunshine after you've used it etc and summer was coming. I've restarted now - things definitely slipped but not to as bad as it was at the start. I'm hoping this winter I can really crack on with it.

Legs I can go weeks without needing to shave now but I still get the odd area which seems stubborn.

Bikini line is slowly coming along but the wiry hair that started to migrate south from my pubic area down my thighs - that's all gone. It's a legit miracle, really happy about that. My upper thighs are smoother than they've been for years.

I'd give it a good couple of months OP. Take pics if you can - after a while I think you forget how bad it was at the start.

WhatsitWiggle · 13/10/2021 22:28

@Saysaysaythree I shaved my underarms but waxed top lip and plucked chin. I think I might have done the underarms every week, I can't remember exactly but I do remember the hairs growing back finer and lighter and then just not growing back.

riromay · 26/10/2021 19:27

@Saysaysaythree

I have terrible hirsutism all over, it’s getting worse (I am 34) and it’s not PCOS. I have a very hair dad - thanks dad! Maybe it’s that. My mum doesn’t have this problem.

I’ve just started with the Lumea, legs and underarms first to see what it’s like. I have had bad experiences with IPL before where is actually made the hair thicker and longer.

3 days after the first treatment and all the hairs are continuing to grow as if nothing happened. I used setting 4. I’m going to keep posting with my progress but it’s not the most encouraging start!

Has anyone else had similar experiences? Especially with the stimulated growth?

How is it going? Did you see any improvements yet? I'm planning to start soon as well
Bavarois · 26/10/2021 19:35

@Saysaysaythree I’m having to shave as normal at the minute and frustrating waiting 2 weeks for the next treatment. Tempted to do it sooner

There's really no point doing it any more often, you need to wait for the hairs to go through their growth cycle. There's information on the app explaining that. It also says it'll likely take 2-3 treatments before you notice any difference. You seem to have had really high expectations.

I got my Lumea almost two years ago and it's made a massive difference for me. I'd say it probably took 4-6 months before it made a big change as I also had quite a lot of body hair. Never managed to get the bikini line to work, it was too painful. But I've gone from shaving my armpits daily to every 3 days, and my legs used to be stubbly within a few hours of shaving and now I can go up to a week without shaving. It's maybe not a miracle but it has made a huge difference.

Original poster
Saysaysaythree · 26/10/2021 20:21

@riromay I’ve done a few treatments now and although I’ve not noticed too much difference on my legs, my underarms are starting to develop bald patches. Which is pretty exciting.

Early days but starting to see something at least. I’ll keep you posted.

OP posts:
Hobnobsandbroomstick · 26/10/2021 21:59

Preserve, I didn't notice any difference until my fourth treatment initially. That was four years ago now. I haven't shaved my legs in 3 months and they are still pretty much hair free. Love my lumea.

Hobnobsandbroomstick · 26/10/2021 22:00

*Persevere, not preserve Grin

chillied · 26/10/2021 22:05

How does it work, what does it do?

BabyB19 · 26/10/2021 22:11

It's amazing, but you won't see a difference that quickly as the next hair cycle hasn't started to come through. I didn't see much difference for a couple of months and then all of a sudden I just didn't get hairy again after shaving! I exfoliated too to make sure I removed any dead hairs which I think helped. Stick with it I think it's worth every penny! Xx

mrsfollowill · 26/10/2021 22:36

Keep going- I got mine August 2020- have dark hair and pale skin. Didn't seem to make much of a difference until 4-5 months in. Underarms responded best /most quickly so now I shave about every 8 weeks (just a few wisps) and give it a blast on no 5.
Tache and beard/neck weekly- shave and then no 5 again. Do your lip 1st before the machine gets hot. Face is still improving - I'm not self conscious any more after 30 odd years of worrying as it's much finer and less noticeable than it has ever been.
Feeling of total smoothness after shaving lasts at least 4 days then couple of days where I can feel the stubble but you can't really see anything. I am peri menopausal and had gone Tom Selleck with the tache-had to Veet every other day and pluck as well. Good luck- it's the best money I ever spent- Hope it works for you.

Multicolouredsequins · 26/10/2021 22:42

I have mid to dark brown hair and pale skin and ended up returning mine a few weeks ago, had to harangue Amazon a bit, but eventually got a refund. I used it frequently and on the highest setting for months and it made little difference. Possibly my leg hair grew back slightly slower after much months of regular use, but no change on bikini, underarm or pesky moustache hairs. Not worth the bother, time or cost in my opinion. It's nowhere near as strong as salon lasers. However I realize that it seems to work for some people. I am suspicious of the high number of positive reviews online though.

Hopeislost · 26/10/2021 23:38

I am very hairy - PCOS to the extent that I have previously had laser hair removal on the NHS. I used my Lumea sporadically and didn't rate it. Then DH had a hobby that met every fortnight for an evening so I started doing my underarms and bikini line consistently on those nights and now there are only a few very small patches left! Am going to start on my legs next!