Philips Lumea Prestige IPL – Hair Removal Device with 4
Philips Lumea Prestige IPL – Hair Removal Device with 4 Intelligent attachments, Hair Removal for Women and Men (Model BRI948/00)
What is IPL
What is IPL and how does it work?
Intense Pulsed Light uses warm gentle light to put hair to sleep. The light stimulates hair to be released from the root and gradually prevents it from growing back for up to six months**.
*Median hair reductions after 12 treatments: 77% on legs, 64% on bikini, 64% on armpits
**Up to 92% hair reduction after 3 treatments when following the treatment schedule, measured on legs, individual results may vary
Suitable hair and skin types
Philips Lumea Prestige works effectively, easily and safely on a wide variety of hair and skin types. It works on naturally dark blonde, brown and black colored hairs and on skin tones from very white to dark brown.
6 months* of hair-free smoothness
Long-lasting hair removal
Up to 6 months** of hair-free smooth skin and up to 92% reduction* in hair after just three treatments.
Step 1
Shave, epilate or wax the body area before treatment.
Step 2
Detect your skin tone and choose the right level for your skin tone using the SmartSkin sensor.
Step 3
Press the window to your skin and push the flash button when indicated.
Step 4
Slowly stamp or slide Lumea across the treatment area.
The Lumea IPL app
The Lumea App is free to download and offers a unique and personalized IPL experience. The App helps you create your personalized treatment schedule per body area, with tips and advice.
Philips IPL Hair Removal devices
  Lumea Advanced, BRI923/00 | ||
|---|---|---|
Skin tone suitabilityWhite to dark brown | Skin tone suitabilityVery white to dark brown | Skin tone suitabilityWhite to mid brown |
SmartSkin sensor✓ | SmartSkin sensor✓ | SmartSkin sensor✕ |
Cordless / Corded useCorded only | Cordless / Corded useBoth | Cordless / Corded useCorded only |
Intelligent curved attachmentsBody, Face, Bikini, Armpits | Intelligent curved attachmentsBody, Face, Bikini, Underarms | Standard attachmentsBody, Face, Bikini |
AccessoriesPouch | AccessoriesStorage pouch | AccessoriesPouch, Cleaning cloth, Satin Compact pen trimmer |
| Brand: | Philips |
| Origin: | Slovenia |
After not using it properly for ages watched you tube and worked it out – it does work on almost all parts of my body and massive decrease in growth
This thing is actually working! Genetically I am not far from the Big Foot…hair-wise. Shaving had always been a nightmare, and I absolutely hated summer. I’ve used Philips Lumea 4 times so far, and I have hardly any hair left on my body. It’s a miracle!
I should have bought it sooner! I struggle with ingrown hairs and had to shave basically every day. This is a game changer! Underarms and bikini results were fast. It took few more treatments for legs but so worth it!!! Just watch instructions on the app to make sure you do it correctly.
I’ve been using it for almost a year now! In the beginning, the results were slow, I had a tan over the summer so I stopped using it for almost 3 months until my tan faded away. I followed all the instructions in the app and I am happy to say that my legs are hair free!
My mother start using it too and had the same positive results!
Definitely recommend it!
This hair removal is amazing, I was a little that it would hurt but I don’t feel any pain while using the device or after treatment. Very easy to use and to hold, it has 5 intensities and it is very easy to find that one it is appropriate for my skin and hair. I have done the treatment as per instructions and almost all my hair is gone, I don’t need to worry about it anymore. Amazing product.
I have to admit that Philips Lumea Prestige IPL is an amazing device to get rid of any unwanted hair.
This is a laser hair removal device for home use. That means you can have the treatment without having to go to a specialist, so it is much easier and much more reasonable to stay on schedule to experience results.
The machine is very well designed and constructed, and the instructions are very good, but it does require some amount of practice to get used to the timing, placement, and so on. You also need to remember that you won’t be able to see the results for quite a while, so a bit of patience is needed. But I swear, it DOES work!
For me, the sensation reminds me of pressing a camera flash against your skin. It is a brief burst of heat that stings a tiny bit, but then it goes away immediately. Also, there’s a slight smell of burning hair.
It is very convenient and easy to use. Different attachments help with using the device on the whole body.
It is a bit pricey but you can get rid of unwanted hair in the comfort of your own home and save lots of money, as the beauty salon treatments are very expensive at the moment.
Highly recommended!
Thank you for reading my honest and unbiased review, I hope you found it helpful! 🙂
I’ve used this for just over 9 weeks now to give it a really fair chance and have followed the recommended programme for my skin type and have to say if this is in your price range then it’s 100% worth getting and really does give brilliant results! I’m so happy with how much less hair and less frequently I would have to shave already and although sticking to using it properly and having the patience for it intitally was a chore it’s now part of my weekly routine and can’t wait to see where I am in a couple of months time.
It’s really easy to use as well and you get used to the sensation pretty quickly – you just need to have the time to dedicate to it and the results are fantastic, and actually really good value compared to regular salon visits so would 100% recommend as love it!
I do wish they had some male options though or something to say which nozzle can be used for what body part if for a man (as men have hairy issues too)
So we gave my partners back a good shave (recommended shave or wax first)
Now firstly I realised this was going to take quite a long time as you have to zap every single inch of the skin, we managed it though. Very tedious!
The light is bright so it’s recommended you wear sunglasses or some sort of eye protection while doing it. You also feel a zap, it’s not overly painful but I tried this on my underarms and you could definitely feel it.
You have to keep up with a routine, doing this once every few weeks and gradually less and less.
Which can be difficult if you are not fully invested or just don’t have the time.
Now for the results, my partners back isn’t as hairy! I believe if we keep up with this it’ll be completely gone (give or take a few hairs) which is really good!
Now as for price, I suppose it depends on the person and how troublesome the hair is.
It does actually work but you need to keep up with it but it also saves shaving and not having the awful stubble.
Could definitely be worth it if you compared prices with waxing or razors over a long period of time.
Very happy!!
My wife has been using this for a few weeks now, and is very pleased with it. Her experience with her much older Lumea IPL device was mixed, but this newer model seems to be more effective, both with regard to speed at which one can treat a large area of skin, and the quickness at which the hair removal becomes visible. Plus of course it has the bonus that it is pain-free when compared to epilators. Very pleased.
Like any high end IPL, this Philips Lumea Prestige requires both knowledge and persistence for it to deliver convenient results.
First and before even considering one, please try to understand the profile of your skin: This includes your skin tone, your hair growth speed, your hair type and thickness, and genetic characteristics that might affect the IPL experience. Once you know all of these and how they affect your IPL usage then you can decide whether one is needed or not.
The second thing is to check the skin tone against the tones supported by this IPL. Pay considerable attention as it is tricky to compare your hair and skin colour to the ones on the Philips Lumea Prestige cover.
Once you are satisfied that this IPL would work, you need to build a serious routine. In order for results to appear, and eventually to last, you definitely need consistent sessions. Follow the scheduled session programme and don’t miss or postpone sessions. Results will appear after a couple of sessions but don’t let that make you use the IPL less often. Stick to the schedule.
Like other IPLs I tried (Mainly Braun and Philips), this one works perfectly well. This, though, is perhaps the most versatile one in terms of the exchangeable heads. It covers all body areas pretty efficiently. The only little downside is the fact that it is wired, as I recently got used to wireless IPLs.
I didn’t experience any skin itchiness or discomfort while following my scheduled sessions. The skin sensitivity dictates the way you use this IPL, and even the duration. A tingling feeling is just okay, but more painful feeling is a no no.
All in all, this seems to be one of the very few complete sets in terms of the heads provided. Results are almost immediate, and to keep them requires consistent applications.
All hair removal devices are uncomfortable to a degree but I have given this a five-star review within that context. This device is bearable and you soon forget that you are using it.
I’ve waited a month to review this, on the basis that it takes that long to really start seeing significant results.
It’s worth the investment of time. You don’t get instant results, so you need to stick with it, and still use your usual hair removal routines while the IPL gets to work.
I think it’s best for armpits, bikini area and facial hair as they are small areas of skin. It works on legs too, but it’s quite time consuming to do your legs properly (at least half an hour, on top of doing other areas). Depends how much time you have I suppose!
It’s a completely painless experience using IPL. The device can get warm, but it really is painless and so much more pleasant than shaving or waxing!
Once you’re a few weeks in, you just keep up a routine with the IPL andstop shaving or waxing or whatever you did before. It gets much easier then, and you’re very glad you stuck with it for the first few weeks wondering if it really was going to work or not.
The device is super easy to use and the intensities are changeable (higher for more effectiveness, lower for less pain) and it comes with interchangeable heads for different body areas. Depending on the area it is used on and whether you have successfully removed the hair prior to the session it isn’t painful. For me underarms hurt the most.
I found a few times, especially when doing large areas at once like the legs, the device gets too hot and puts its self into a cool down mode which means you have to pause for a few minutes which can be annoying when you are in the swing of things. Also I found the cord a pain sometimes as it depends how close you are to the plug socket and where you want to carry out your treatment, for me I like to do it laying on my bed but need to make sure I have an extension lead to hand to make sure I get the most use out the cord as possible. I would prefer a cordless version personally and would pay the extra money as long as the battery life was decent.
I ordered Philips Lumea Prestige IPL for my Mum, she has lost all confidence because of unwanted moustache and facial hair.
Arrived in a smart branded box worthy of a product at this price range.
Don’t know why I was surprised it was not a wireless device, looked on advert and clearly shows it is corded. Lead is quite long so you do have some flexibility where you complete treatment, would be better if was cordless though.
IPL Intense Pulsed light system is design to put hairs to sleep, device is smart looking with contrasting rose gold and white casing. Looks a bit like a deluxe portable barcode scanner.
Smart device which can be set up to tone of your skin to ensure correct level of treatment, not suitable for blonde, grey or red hair.
Completed treatment every two weeks to start with, it is no quick fix each treatment takes several hours to complete. If I am honest for the first treatment your are in the zone fully focus on where you are zapping, as treatments continue you will do this as second nature whilst watching TV. I have not caused any injury when I feel skin getting slightly hot I move to another area to treat. It really is a painless experience but it does that a long time. After just 2 treatments I can tell you results are amazing, not only has all hair gone it is not growing back.
Overall, exceeded my expectations but you need a lot of patience to complete self treatment. Great quality device that will give you your confidence back.
I would recommend this product.
This was my wife’s very early Christmas present and must say she was very happy, she wished this IPL hair removal device for a long time and dream come true 🙂 First of all must know that u need to have the “right ” skin color and hair to use this as unfortunate is not suitable for everyone , also if u have any varicose this is no good for you , also if the hair is too blonde doesn’t work either as u need a stronger light to destroy the roots of the hair and stop growing or very slow growing. This IPL is very easy to use and very easy to read and follow the instructions, must read very carefully and also make a few notes as u will need . The hair removal device comes with charger and 4 heads to change then according to the area of the body : bikini line , legs/ arms ,underarm and face they all have a
little sigh so u will know which is the one , in the description says that the underarm one is a bit curved so can follow the underarm line but is not if it wasn’t fir the sign my wife says she couldn’t make any different between this one and bikini one , however first step first is to remove your hair as normal and then star fist phase after 24 hours simply just attach the head and press the on/ off button the white long line light will be display it means that everything is ready so u can start , u can choose between the 2 modes either glide along the area or stop and start the glide one will stop at one point and star again after few seconds. First phase is the most important if u want excellent results, get the skin ready with 3 days before the first use . After first use the next one is in exactly two weeks same process u can remove your hair between the IPL , repeat this process 4 times every 2 weeks ( my wife makes herself notes so she can remember) after use IPL once in 4 weeks if u forgot the second phase star all over again . Easy to clean with a damp clothes, make sure is very well cleaned between the use , not very lightweight but comfortable enough to use , very good results. No irritation or rush just smooth silky skin for longer. Definitely recommend!!
The manual has a handy skin/hair guide (see my photo) but essentially if you have dark skin or lighter coloured hairs, this will not be effective.
Switch the unit on and it whirs up, place the head onto the skin and when the white LED light bar at the back lights up “Ready” you are good to go. Pressing the trigger causes a bright flash or red/pink light and that is it. I’ve included a short video demonstrating this which I hope you find helpful.
My wife tried it on each setting (1 to 5) as instructed to by the manual, and found that the 5th one was the only one that caused any pain/discomfort (which felt like a small electric shock).
The unit also has a long list of precautions to take prior and during use. So this isn’t just a pick up and away you go device. It requires skin testing and planning in terms of scheduling usage to get the most effective results.
Here’s what I like about it:
– It’s easy to use, it’s lightweight considering the size and easy to hold over long periods.
– The heads are easily detachable and exchangeable so going from face to leg treatments is simple, literally just clip it off.
– There are multiple heat settings which is ideal when starting treatment as initially it can feel rather hot especially on more delicate areas.
– It has worked flawlessly on course underarm hair and the bikini line, with very little to no maintenance needed in those areas.
– There is a detailed instruction guide for treatment in the box, teaching you how to use the device but also guiding you on initial treatments and then maintenance.
– Keeping the device clean is easy, a simple damp cloth over the glass inside to maintain the unit.
As much as I love this unit, there are a couple of not so good things:
– On light leg hair it has struggled more than on dark/coarse areas which surprised me, I thought it would be the opposite. The results are still good but it’s less consistent so some patches are still coming through.
– It can take a good hour to get around all your areas and so the device can overheat and need a few minutes to cool down, it does so quickly though.
– Philips do state that it may not work on folks with dark skin tones so it isn’t a unit that will work for everybody.
But on the whole, compared to paying for professional waxes etc I think it’s more than worth the money. Professional IPL treatments can cost in their thousands so this for me is a great home use device that can work wonders if you have dark stubborn hairs and tired of shaving all the time.
I’ve only completed one treatment so far hence at the moment can’t say how effective it is but I am hoping that by keeping to the treatment schedule, over the next couple of treatments, I will start to notice a reduction in hair growth. The guide contains detailed instructions which were really helpful as I did think it would be quite daunting but following the step by step instructions was quite forward. There are 5 different light intensities to choose from which as part of the testing, you can select and then after 24 hrs, determine which setting was the most suitable. From the colour guide, it shows that it can be used on a range of skin tones but also as part of the testing, the sensor detects whether or not it will work on the skin tone of the particular area you’re testing. There are essentially two phases to the treatment, the initial phase and the touch-up phase and the guide contains a specific schedule to follow, it has been much simpler to use than I had expected and hopefully going forward, will see some results!
This arrived in a branded lift top box with images and product details on the outside. Once opened the bespoke packaging keeps everything nice and secure and I thought it was a nice presentation of the product. The manual is very detailed with linked diagrams going through the processes, preparation along with precautions and selecting the correct attachment for the area and hair type.
Once everything was unpacked both my daughter and myself sat down with the manual having a good read through making sure we had a good understanding of all the functions, features correct use and safety aspects. As recommended in the manual my daughter did a test area and left it for 24 hours and had no issues. The unit is reasonable heavy and whilst using on the legs the weight is not an issue but can make your arm ache a bit with the weight while using on upper arms or armpits.
The best results seem to be on the armpits reducing the hair growth quite considerably and this increased with subsequent uses catching hairs on a different hair growth rate. Using on the legs is quite a long process due to the small area of the head, taking around 10-15 minutes each leg and again the hair growth reduced over subsequent uses due to the hair growing being at different times and rates.
This seems to perform much better the darker the hair and produced the best results in reducing or eliminating the hair growth. Once you understand the usage this becomes a very simple process and my daughter is certainly impressed with the results.
Overall this is an impressive hair removal device, it does take quite a long time to cover large areas such as legs and the growth reduction is accumulated over repeated uses rather than instant illumination after one use. The best results seem to come in the smaller areas such as armpits and after just a few uses growth has been reduced by around 80%. Overall I think this is a great product, the results are very good and get better the longer period it’s used for. I can’t really fault it so have given top marks.
This device has been in use for a few weeks now, several sessions of use.
The device is corded, and feels very sturdy.
It is bright, very bright, when it flashes red (see photo) to deliver the zap, so maybe consider wearing sunglasses and looking away.
Put in place, and wait .. zap .. usually just a little tingly, occasionally a bit more painful, but nothing extreme.
Comes with adapters for different body areas, legs, armpits, private areas etc, to deliver the suited dosage.
Shave before use, then take half an hour / an hour out of your day to do your legs.
No consumable parts, which is good to know.. though I guess that’s reflected in the price.
When not in use, it lives in the carry pouch, under the bed.
Hoping to see visible results in the weeks to come.
Very happy with the IPL experience, and will persist with it for long term results.
* In the box
The Lumea comes with four attachments: body, plus face, underarms and bikini; the body attachment is already in place on arrival. The facial attachment has a smaller window and an extra filter. These are easy to change (a simple push on/pull off) and the ones not in use can be stored in the bag or keep hold of the box.
There is a soft, pull-cord bag that is just large enough to hold the Lumea, power lead (3 pin UK plug) and attachments; it is adequate but could have been better given the RRP of the item. It is hidden at the very bottom of the box under a piece of card, so don’t miss it.
* Health, skin and hair colour warnings
As with all previous Lumea devices, there is a long list of warnings and it is concerning that the health issues that could render this unsuitable for use are not currently listed on the product page with the exception of the skin and hair colour guide. I have attached (or am in the process of attaching) photographs from the manual that list some of the things that render this unsuitable for the user (e.g. diabetes, varicose veins, chemotherapy) but would also urge anyone considering a purchase to consult the Philips website to check the source information. Use could exacerbate pre-existing conditions, cause complications such as burns or, at best, the process just won’t work.
As well as checking you don’t have medical conditions that will prevent use, you also need to check your skin and hair colour against a chart (this is on the product page). Basically, the darker your skin and the lighter your hair colour, the less effective this method of hair removal will be and it won’t work at all on grey, white or red hair. The Smartskin sensor detects potential use on skin that is too dark and just stops the lamp from flashing, thus preventing inadvertent burning if you don’t realise you are trying to use it when you shouldn’t.
* How it works
The Lumea is targeting the root of the hair to prevent fast regrowth and only works when the hair in question is growing, which means results will be patchy in the initial phase but do bear with it; once you have continued for a while, you should see a difference. I have used an earlier version of the Lumea for a few years and am in the maintenance phase, which means any hair growth is soft, very sparse and hardly noticeable. It doesn’t offer permanent hair removal but the frequency of treatments reduces significantly the longer you use this and you should see results within a few weeks on soft hairs; thicker hair will take longer to treat.
* Preparation
As with most things in life, preparation is the key and you need to remove the hair you wish to treat prior to starting. This feels counter intuitive but it eliminates the potential smell of burnt hair, makes it less messy and more effective. Unlike previous guidance, Philips now state you can epilate or wax as well as shave to remove hair before using the Lumea, albeit you need to wait for 24 hours after waxing.
* Consumables
One thing to bear in mind is the lamp cannot be replaced, although it has a long-life expectancy (the lamp is expected to last one user for 20 years), backed up by a 2-year manufacturer warranty. This also means that you do not need to concern yourself with replacement lamps.
* Summing up the pros and cons:
Pros
* Offers long term (not permanent) hair removal that is painless.
* Corded use so it is always ready to use.
* Variable intensity settings to cater for varied skin tone/sensitivity on different areas of the body.
* Includes a sensor that prevents use on too high a setting for the skin tone.
* Quick lamp recharge time.
* Lamp cannot be replaced, so there are no costly consumables in use.
* Good balanced weight in the hand and comfortable to grip. It isn’t too heavy.
* Controls are simple and easy to use.
* Four attachments, one for body and others specifically for face, underarms and bikini.
* Storage pouch supplied so you can keep everything together.
Cons
* Lamp cannot be replaced; once it’s gone, the device can no longer be used.
* Existing medical conditions may prevent use, as could skin and hair colour.
Opening the box, it wasn’t a surprising to see a good quality item. Most of my skin and hair care gadgets I use are from Philips, and I’m very loyal to this brand because the following reasons: they are high quality, useful and very reliable. This IPL hair remover is just the same.
It has a futuristic design, very small and modern, fits perfectly in my hand. The box contained 4 attachments to use for different areas of the body.
I am completely novice at permanent hair removal, I usually use razors, epilator from time to time. But I have looked into permanent hair removal last year, done by salons, but they don’t promise any success below 6-8 sessions, which by that time would cost around 1500 and that was just armpits, so I didn’t go ahead with it due to the high cost. With this Philips Lumea Prestige IPL Hair Removal, I can save money and time as I do not have to pay for professional hair removal and don’t have to book an appointment, I can do it for myself with just of 319 (the price of the item at the time I was writing this review). Although I have to mention that this will not remove the hair completely forever, but it can last for 5-6 months. What makes this hair removal stand out is the fact that it comes with a designated smartphone application which offers the step-by-step guidance and support you need, so you can feel confident about your IPL Lumea treatments.
The Lumea Prestige has an integrated skin type detector which detects your skin tone then indicates a comfortable light setting. Works well with a wide range of hair colours including dark blonde, brown and black hair and on skin tones from very white to dark brown
I have tried on legs so far and I would recommend you start the whole process if you have got around 3 hours, unless you will do a leg a time. Noticeable difference will only become visible after 2-3 sessions.
While this is a costly device, you could use it everywhere on your body which would save you a little fortune. I have used a few weeks already and while I can’t say it fully removed from an area, but certainly have less hair there. It might take another few sessions to get the desired effect, but as they say, a good job needs some time, so I am more than happy to carry on using it to get best result.
The device is well made, it has a bit of weight to it but not too heavy to hold whilst doing your treatment. There are some different heads which make it easier to treat different areas of the body like the neck, chin, underarms and legs. The lamp as well should last the life time of the product but I have always been impressed with the warranty service offered by phillips. It plugs in and has a long cable so you are not tied to being right next to the plug. It wipes down easy to clean and its very simple to operate. Instructions are in the box althugh there was a lot of languages.
If you are in the market for a IPL device then this is the market leader and now I have owned one, I know why!
I know that this can be used by both men and women however i thought i would get this for my niece to try as she has been wanting one for quite some time so i have asked her to review this and she has said;
For some time now i have been thinking on getting one of these as i have friends who use similar ones. To be truthful i was also a bit sceptical at using it because i am used to waxing or shaving and the thought of a light doing a better job made me unsure, however i shouldn’t have worried.
I have been using this on my under arms and legs mainly and so far so good. After i shave i usually start to get re growth after just a day or so but i am getting nothing so far after using this for 3 treatments. Time will tell about how long that lasts.
The unit comes in a nicely designed box and the device and attachments are held well within a plastic protector inside the box to prevent damage. (I would like to have seen a more environmentally sound packaging instead of plastic).
You get various attachments for different areas of the body – including underarms, bikini, face and body and it comes with a smart skin sensor to detect your skin type. Also the directions are really easy to understand.
I have found this to be really clever and i will be using it in the future and i would recommend i
My whole family just loves Philips products. Always best in class. This is also one of the best product.
So easy to use and works perfectly.
It comes with 4 intelligent attachments, use as per the need. Covers full body areas, including bikini and underarms areas as well. The attachments are smart. They have inbuilt skin sensor. It detects your skin tone then help you select most comfortable light setting for whichever area you are planning to use it.
This is just great as you can use it with full confidence and relax mode
As this is a long process. I haven’t seen any real results at the moment. I have downloaded the app and set up the process. So far I have used this on my face. Some of the regrowth has been thinner but as I said at the beginning it will be a long process.