Disclosure - PR trial/sample
I have now completed my eight-week trial of Philips Lumea. I have had four sessions, each two weeks apart, which took place under brand supervision at the Lumea "pop-up spa" in London.
The fact that it was a supervised trial meant that the timing was regular and my technique for using the device was exactly as intended by the manufacturer. I hope these reviews will be quite representative of the results you can expect if you follow the directions thoroughly.
In the interest of speed and convenience, I was testing the device on my armpits (which I photographed for you last time - no more pics though, it was just too terrifying).
After my first session, I noticed a real difference in the amount of regrowth (you have to shave before using IPL devices like Lumea, so this was shaving re-growth rather than regrowth from IPL-removed hairs). After that I saw slow but steady reduction in the amount of remaining hair patches over the subsequent weeks.
Now at 8 weeks, I'm seeing about 70% less hair on one side and 60% less on the other. I have also seen a difference in the skin around the remaining hairs - I don't see the dark shadow of new hairs lurking underneath the skin anymore - just clear skin, as if hairs had never grown there.
Sadly my time with Lumea has now come to an end, and since I already have a Boots iPulse Smooth Skin that I'm testing, I doubt I will buy a Lumea to continue my trial with (one IPL machine is enough, even for me). However in the 8 weeks I used it, I definitely saw a noticeable reduction in hair and I'm confident that if I kept going with it I could reach a more or less hair-free state given time.
In terms of useability and comfort, Lumea is superb. It is well designed, easy to handle and requires minimal prepping of the skin (no gel!). Its only shortcoming when compared to the Boots iPulse Smooth Skin (in my eyes its main competitor on the UK market) is that it only claims to provide a temporary result. If the power were increased to offer a permanent effect, I'd be recommending it wholeheartedly. However, I think most people will expect a permanent result for something at this price point (Lumea is £399), and would be disappointed that they'd have to keep using this every two weeks to keep their hair-free results. Don't get me wrong, it's a vast improvement on shaving and waxing. But ideally we want something we can stop using after a while, and Lumea makes no promises of that. I learned at the sessions that there has been anecdotal evidence of long-term users being able to space out their sessions to 4 weeks, but this isn't "official" information and shouldn't be taken as an indicator of performance.
Verdict - great design, great results, but the lack of a permanent outcome lets this product down.
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Saturday, 29 May 2010
Philips Lumea IPL review - final verdict
Labels:
boots smooth skin,
hair removal,
IPL,
philips lumea
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No armpit shots? Damn :P
ReplyDeleteBut seriously, I totally agree with you - I'm not going to shell out that much money unless it delivers permanent results D:
im really surprised that people believe its a permanant thing but ITA NOT it reduces hair thinner and finner but none of these lasers can be offered as permanant come on guys get real i know
Deletethe phillips lumea is just amazing its fab its brilliant its light and easy to use and it gets rid of unwanted hair .iv got it and my hairs are coming through less and less but its NOT permanant but i absoulutly love it its great and what a fab buy
DeleteThe Lumea doesn't deliver permanent results yet it does visibly reduce the amount of hair that grows back?
ReplyDeleteI think it is good that it doesn't stop hair growth completely. Hair is meant to grow to protect the skin, it's natural and if a device stops that completely it could be dangerous.
Thanks so much for all these reviews :)
none of the lasers give permanat results its false advertising they keep hair at bay for longer so boots claims its permanant is false
Deleteyes its amazing i agree its the best buy ,better than boots
Deleteis it suitable for dark skin?
ReplyDeleteYumika,
ReplyDeleteYou write that "Hair is meant to grow to protect the skin, it's natural and if a device stops that completely it could be dangerous."
I have often wondered about that, much as I desire certain areas of my body to be permanently hair-free. Could you elaborate on the possible dangers of removing hair permanently? Could you direct us to any studies or articles on this?
I'd really appreciate that. Thank you.
How long does it take to complete a treatment on the whole leg area? Many Thanks
ReplyDeleteI've had laser treatment at a skin clinic and the hair still grows back but a lot thinner finer and nowhere near as dense or grows as fast as it used to the nurse who performed the treatment said you'll never get completely hair free even with a salon laser so I think this sounds amazing and at a fraction of the cost of salon treatments ( £130 a session for bikini area! )
ReplyDeleteGreat Review Thanks hope my comments help :)
Just got one for £124!!! Perks of having a clearance shop at Boots head office! Can't wait to try it!
ReplyDeleteIn fact, no matter what they say no IPL or laser is permanent even at salons, they should all be advertised as long lasting epilation rather than permanent...
ReplyDeleteI've used the Lumea now for six weeks (3 sessions) and it has significantly reduced the hair on my legs and underarms. I'm 100% pleased.
ReplyDeleteC
you can use the lumea for a hollywood or Brazilian, where as the boots one only allows you to do the bikini.
ReplyDeletehi
ReplyDeletei need to know after a full charge for the device, how many shots drive you to the next charge round?
also i need to know, is there any problem to use the philips lumea on the face?
ReplyDeleteThey created a new product with is for body and face.
Deletei'm comparing the philips lumea with the silk'n pro.
ReplyDeleteAny advice?
Hi,
ReplyDeleteI'm medium toned of Indian ethnicity and recently purchased the Philips Lumea. So far I have had really good results!
I was very hesistant to buy it but decided to go ahead and cant wait to continue using it.
I'm going to be doing reviews on my blog if any ine is interested in seeing how it pans out.
Thanks,
Mo
www.teenytinymo.blogspot.com