Product Review: Philips Lumea Precision Plus – Initial thoughts

As any other female, I have more body hair than I like. While I am so lucky that I am spared for facial hair, I do have hairy legs and armpits, which is constantly driving me crazy.
When I first starting shaving decades ago, I started using the standard scraper, and especially on my legs, I very quickly realised that I absolutely hated the prickly feeling that would come just a few days later when the hairs started to grow out again.

So I purchased an epilator, which I have used ever since – well, I’ve had to get a new epilator every few years, but it has been my preferred method of shaving ever since. Still, a very frustrating task (so happy I’m not male and would have to shave off facial hair every morning, then I’d much rather spend my time playing with makeup!) that although only needing done every 2-3 weeks, the hairs still keep coming back again and again.

So when I was offered to road test the Philips Lumea Precision Plus at-home IPL hair removal device, I was so excited, as this could be the answer to a future with less body hair and less time spent shaving.

IPL stands for Intense Pulsed Light, and describes the use of intense pulses of non-coherent light distributed over a range of wavelengths from 500 nm to 1200 nm, for removal of hair. These light pulses heat up the hair and the root beneath the skin. The melanin in the hair and hair root absorbs the released pulses, which stimulate the hair to go into a resting phase, with consequently less and less hair growing back.

As the Lumea Precision targets the melanin in the hair, it is not suitable for treatment of light blonde, white, grey or red hair, as the hair simply doesn’t contain sufficient melanin to have any effect. It is also not suitable for those with too dark skin and hair, as the skin and hair may simply absorb too much light and heat that skin reactions may occur. Consequently it is most suitable for those with light to medium toned skin, and with naturally dark blonde through to black hair.

 

It is also not suitable for use if you have any skin irritations, diseases, if your skin is sensitive to light, or easily develops a rash or allergic reaction. It is also not suitable for use while pregnant or breast feeding.

As hairs are in different stages of growth, and only those in the growing phase are susceptible to the light treatment, for optimal results, the area needs to be treated every two weeks, 4-5 times.

The Lumea Precision Plus, which looks a little like a futuristic gun, is equipped with a high-performance lamp, which does not require replacement.

The lamp can generate over 100,000 flashes, which means you can maintain results for more than 5 years. The Philips Lumea Precision Plus comes with two attachments; a large body attachment and a smaller precision attachment that is equipped with an extra integrated light filter and enables a safe and convenient application on the upper lip, chin and sideburns, as well as sensitive areas on the body, such as the underarms and the bikini area . 

Philips Lumea has five adjustable light energy settings to ensure gentle but effective treatment, across a variety of skin tones and hair colours. 

Used correctly, Philips Lumea's IPL treatment is safe and gentle to use even on sensitive skin and sensitive body areas.

All in all, I am extremely impressed by how the Lumea Precision Plus is packaged and how professional the device looks. At home IPL treatment may be a little daunting for some, but Philips has made up for it by providing all the necessary information in an easy to understand manner, both on the box, and in the included product manual and quick start guide. If required, Philips also offer support via their website.

As mentioned you need to use the Lumea Precision Plus for four to five fortnightly treatments before you can see the result, so I will return early in the New Year with my final thoughts and full review. But for now I am extremely excited and hopeful of a less hairy future..


RRP: $1,299.95 – Available from the Shaver Shop.

* This product was kindly provided for consideration, and it has been reviewed in accordance with my Disclosure Policy.

Have you ever tried IPL? And what do you think of an at home IPL device?