The launch of Smooth Skin was my wakeup call re. the possibility of home IPL. I researched it thoroughly at the time (and counted my pennies with a view to purchase), so that was my benchmark when I first investigated the Lumea.
As it now stands, Smooth Skin and Lumea seem to be the leaders in the home IPL field, so I'm delighted to be able to offer a direct comparison between the two from a user perspective.
The Smooth Skin arrived yesterday and I'm doing my initial patch test this morning.
Can't wait to see how this pans out...
(image via Google)
Man, I can't believe you got Boots Smooth Skin to trial! There will be a lot of jealous women out there! I thought you and your readers might be interested in my recent comparison too (although I haven't tried Lumea yet): http://www.beautyscribbler.com/2010/04/philips-lumea-vs-boots-smooth-skin.html
ReplyDelete@Beauty Scribbler I know, I feel like a very lucky guinea pig! Thanks for the post. It's a really useful comparison, well written too. I recommend it;
ReplyDeleteBeauty Scribbler's IPL comparison post
I'm looking forward to trying it out as a person with pale skin and blondish hair; I was just outside of the acceptable range for Lumea, but the Boots Smooth Skin counts me as OK.
ReplyDeleteHave you heard of/tried out the i-lIGHT IPL from Remington? I bought it after someone recommended as a better alternative to Boots Smooth Skin. I've got blonde-ish hair and quite pale skin and had results pretty much straight away. I'm on my 8th week now and it's made a huge difference (I'm quite hairy :) ). It's about £100 cheaper than Lumea too: http://www.boots.com/en/Remington-IPL5000-i-LIGHT-Hair-Removal-Unit_951335/.
ReplyDeleteI'd be really interested to see how all 3 compare if you can get your hands on an i-LIGHT too.
I'm not from the UK and can't find the Boots Skin Smooth for sale online anywhere. I'd be much more interested in the review of the Lumea alone, for that is the only one that can be available to me.
ReplyDelete@Katie I have heard of the Remington iLight but haven't tried it. Beauty Scribbler has done a comparison between the the Lumea, the iLight and the iPulse/Smooth Skin here
ReplyDelete@Anonymous thanks for the feedback. Although we're a UK site we value our international readers and want to make our content as accessible as possible. The Boots Smooth Skin is sold as the iPulse in various countries - more info here iPulse by Cyden homepage
Thank you Sarah (I'm the international anonymous!). Unfortunately iPulse is still not available to my country, but hopefully it will be soon. I will wait for your review to help me decide if I should wait for the ipulse or invest in Lumea. I'd also like to ask, if you are able to answer, why is lumea not suitable to use on face. The information I found doesn't really explain the reason why (what would happen if anyone tried for example). Thank you again.
ReplyDeleteI've been following these hair removal systems with interest but when you are darker skinned trying to figure out if your skin type is suitable is quite hard. According to Boots I am a skin type IV. However, from looking at other systems maybe I'm a skin type V... I can't quite figure it out as I don't think that the questions or the skin colour charts are very helpful.
ReplyDeleteThat being said if one of these systems was brought out that was safe for use by women of African, Caribbean or Asian origin whoever marketed it would make an absolute mint!
I've been to see about IPL professionally and been turned down based on me being the darker side of mixed race (not THAT dark either!). I was told I was at the upper limit and they could try it but i may burn or blister...i think not. Im going to boots to investigate this Philips option as according to the colour chart i should be able to use this, it better work for £400 and looks less of a fuss than the Boots smooth skin with all the gel and wires.
ReplyDeleteThanks so much for posting these updates! I was wondering which to get: the Philips Lumea, Remington i-Light or the Boots one. This has been so helpful! Please keep us posted :)
ReplyDeleteDo you know these things just work for hair removal or also for skin rejuvenation?
ReplyDeleteMy face is quite patchy and freckly and I'm thinking of having IPL done professionally but can't find many reviews by real people.
(obviously I meant ILP!)
ReplyDeleteAfter ignoring my advice my daughter bought this machine and has found it does not work, like all mum's i didnt want to see her waste her money so i looked into what IPL actually is. its a very high level intense light that needs a powerful machine to destroy the follical. if this machine was that powerful it would not be sold over the counter and IPL needs a qualified and trained specialist to use it. Its already going down in price I wonder why! do as my daughter is now and go to a professional and spend the money on results.
ReplyDeleteHere’s the facts, don’t believe the hype!
ReplyDeleteProfessional IPL machines produce the energy to DESTROY the hair follicle.
Home IPL only DISABLES the follicle.
Don’t believe me, read their own words.
Direct quote from Boots Smooth Skin……..
‘The light is absorbed by the coloured pigments in and surrounding the hair and 'disables' the hair follicle, helping to prevent hair re-growth.’
Direct quote from Viss IPL……
‘When directed at the site of unwanted hair, the light is absorbed by dark pigment of the hair, 'disabling' the follicle with minimal discomfort.’
They will be doing home eye laser next!!!!
hi i m man can i use lumea for my armpit
ReplyDeleteHello I'm mixed race can I use the Lumea?????
ReplyDeletewhat would happen if you use lumea on you're face? why not?
ReplyDeleteThe Boots smooth skin IS strong enough to PERMANTLY remove hair, it is said 7 joules is needed the boots is 7 -10 .the Phillips ipl only puts the hair into resting stage.
ReplyDelete