Philips Lumea questions, including which model

[BettyBeard]

Good morning all. I’m hoping some of you may be able to help me.

I’ve battled excess facial and body hair since my teens (I’m ‘androgen-sensitive’ apparently, with slightly elevated but normal testosterone, no PCOS). I’ve tried bleaching, Dianette (effective but not a long-term solution), electrolysis, and salon IPL about 20 years ago (which worked in some areas).

Now in my late 40s, my jawline, chin, and upper lip have hundreds of coarse black hairs (photo attached). Daily shaving causes stubble and spots, yet years of electrolysis have led to little improvement and my beautician has suggested laser due to the volume and stubbornness of my hair.

I can’t easily get to the clinic she’s recommended, plus it’s so expensive, so I’m considering the Philips Lumea, based on recommendations on here.

So here are my questions:

1. Is the Lumea likely to work on my coarse, hormonal facial hair? Even if it just makes it a bit finer?
2. Which model should I choose? There are so many, with wildly varying prices, and the Philips online comparison tool is useless. I’d want attachments for face, underarms, legs, bikini area - everywhere. I’d like a plug-in model (not rechargeable).
3. Do I need to cover facial scars/moles? If yes, what with? And what about green veins visible under the skin on my legs (not bulging)?
4. Has anyone found the Lumea causes breakouts? I experienced cystic acne on my face around the time I had salon IPL treatment in my 20s, but it could have been a coincidence.

Thanks for any advice. I so want to have a smooth, hairless, spot-free chin!

I bought the Philips Lumea 9000 and my only regret was not buying it sooner! My course dark chin hairs have gone completely, my skin looks so much better as it’s not spotty from me plucking at ingrown hairs and constantly shaving/plucking. The skin is really smooth.
My hair looked similar to yours and I was diagnosed with PCOS as a teen.

I went for the 9000 as I couldn’t really see the difference between that and 9900 and it was on sale Boots.

Thank you, @PinkJazz - that is so encouraging to hear. How wonderful the Lumea has worked so well for you; I can just imagine how amazing that must feel!

Argh, yes to the bloody in-grown hairs and spots! It’s created a whole extra problem, including scarring from some of the spots. 😞

I’ll take a closer look at the 9000.

@PinkJazz, I can see there are a few different 9000 models. I find the range confusing! Which attachments does yours have? Some have three and some have four. Thanks.

It came with 3 attachments but I’ve only actually used the face one. I do plan to also use it on my armpits and legs though

It's supposed to work best when the hair is dark and the skin is light so I'd assume it would work for you.

I haven't used it on my face as most of my wiry chin hairs are white now, despite only being 40!

It's been absolutely amazing on my legs and bikini line though and I haven't even been using it regularly!

Sorry I don't have much advice on models and breakouts, hopefully someone else will and hopefully it'll work for you. It's been a game changer for me!

I’ve not used it on face but it has been amazing for legs and bikini line.

I am similar to you, Lumea worked really well on mine. The hair is about 90% gone and what’s left has gone very light in colour. I use it about once a month now, but can leave it about 2/3 months and notice a little regrowth.

Can I jump on this thread to ask some questions please? I've taken the plunge and bought the Lumea and am about to start using but slightly scared! I'm on Testogel for perimenopause and it's caused, predictably, lots of excess hair. The worst area is bikini and upper thighs. Thick, coarse, blooming loads of it. Look like Pete Sampras...The reason for splashing out on IPL was that waxing and shaving is causing bumpy skin rash and ingrown hairs. Exfoliating, salicyclic acid etc don't help.The rash fades after 1-2 weeks - by which time I'm hairy again. But in the Lumea manual it says to be hair free before ie shave before using. And it also says not to use on skin bumps/ingrown hairs.

So am I doomed never to be able to use it, because of precisely the reason why I want to use it?! Is the 'don't use on bumps/ingrown hairs' because it might exacerbate it or is it just that it won't be as effective?

Going to do my first skin test today, so I guess I'll see, but just a bit worried!