Any woman will agree that excess hair is a source of constant psychological and sometimes physical inconvenience. This is especially acute when wearing an open outfit or swimsuit. Following the wishes of the fairer sex specialists, cosmetologists and doctors have developed many ways to get rid of unwanted vegetation on the body and face. One of such procedures was photoepilation, which in recent years has become possible to carry out not only in beauty salons and medical centers, but also at home using such a device as a photoepilator. Philips Lumia (we will also consider reviews of this equipment in this article) was one of the first hair removal machines on the market on the market and earned numerous recommendations from both users and cosmetologists.
Photoepilation - what is it?
Photoepilation is performed using light flux and allows you to effectively get rid of hair on almost any part of the body. Its main difference from other methods of hair removal is the lack of contact of the apparatus used with the skin, and therefore painful sensations during the procedure are reduced to absolute zero.
In addition to the fact that unnecessary hairs disappear from the skin during the session, it also becomes more elastic and smooth, since narrowly focused light contributes to the production of collagen in the skin cells.
Photoepilation is repeated several times over 6-12 months. Each course has an individual character, but only with its full passage, unwanted hair will not bother you for the next 4-5 years.
The principle of photoepilation
Photoepilation is performed using a special apparatus - a photoepilator. It gives powerful light signals that are absorbed by melanin - a substance located in the root of the hair. Under the influence of these blows, the bulb is destroyed. Therefore, the darker your hair, the more effective photoepilation will be.
Philips Home Hair Removal Products
In order to epilate your legs, it is not necessary to go to the salon. Cosmetic equipment is developing in giant steps, and now it is quite possible to carry out photoepilation on your own at home.
Today, one of the most famous and sought after epilators is the Philips Lumia photoepilator. We will review reviews about them a little later, but for now, we’ll clarify which models exist and how they differ from each other.
In hypermarkets and online stores, the following models are most often found:
- Philips Lumea IPL SC1981;
- Philips Lumea SC1992 / 00;
- Philips Lumea SC2003 / 00;
- Philips Lumea Precision Plus SC2004;
- Philips Lumea Precision Plus SC2006.
Each Philips Lumia photoepilator is designed primarily for women, but the stronger sex can also use them. The only caveat - men will need more sessions, as their hair is stiffer and thicker.
Philips Lumea IPL SC1981
The Philips Lumia Comfort photoepilator of the SC1981 series has a special IPL marking, which indicates that this device works according to a special technology, using broadband pulsed light that is not able to harm the upper layers of the epidermis.
According to the manufacturer, this device is able to provide smooth skin for an average of 60 days. The result is noticeable after 4-5 applications with an interval of 1 time per week.
The Philips Lumia Comfort photoepilator is designed for use at home and is absolutely safe. It is suitable for all types of hair and skin, gently affects even sensitive areas (bikinis, armpits) and can even be used on the face.
The main difference from other models is their compact size and light weight. In addition, it is not necessary to understaff it, but to carry out the procedure, it is enough to take the device in your hand and turn it on.
The IPL SC1981 also has such useful features as the ability to adjust the pulse strength and the special Slide and Flash mode, which allow you to easily work on unwanted hairs. The built-in sensor automatically detects the type of skin and adjusts the operation of the photoepilator for it.
The recommended time for skin treatment in various parts of the body is from 1.5 to 11 minutes.
Philips Lumea SC1992 / 00
Another photoepilator of this brand, which allows you to remove unwanted vegetation in the shortest possible time. It differs from the previous model in that it is not suitable for use on the face.
This Philips Lumia photoepilator has an increased lamp power that can provide more than one hundred thousand flashes. The device also has IPL technology, which helps preserve even the most sensitive skin. The standard equipment of each device includes a wide nozzle 4 cm long, a storage case and a network adapter.
Photoepilators SC1992 / 00 do not require the purchase of additional accessories and gels - after purchase they are completely ready for use. The lamp does not require replacement and serves throughout its entire life.
Philips Lumea SC2003 / 00
The Philips Lumia 2003 photoepilator is an updated and improved version of Lumea IPL SC2001 / 01. The devices of this series have the following features:
- a nozzle 4 cm long for processing large areas of the body located below the neck;
- a separate nozzle for the face 2 cm long with enhanced blocking of ultraviolet rays;
- wireless mode (battery).
Like the first two models, this device is equipped with Slide & Flash, IPL technology and the ability to adjust the pulse strength.
This Philips Lumia photoepilator can be used for the face: on the cheekbones, chin and over the upper lip. Special nozzles reduce the time of use of the device by half compared with the Philips Lumea SC1992 / 00.
Philips Lumea SC2004
Philips Lumea Precision Plus SC2004 is one of the latest models of photoepilators on our market. The lamp of this model has an increased resource, which lasts for 6 years of regular use, and the battery is able to withstand up to 370 flashes at the maximum power level.
To start working with the device, just get it from the case. During the procedure, the Philips Lumia photoepilator of the 2004 series does not require goggles and gels or greases: the advanced security system simply blocks the light shock if the device is not pressed tight enough to the surface to be treated.
Equipped with a charge indication system and several nozzles for the face and body, as well as the absence of a wire, provide comfortable and safe operation.
Philips Lumea Precision Plus SC2006
The SC2006 completes our Philips epilator review. In this series, all the best qualities from previous models are collected: the presence of the IPL system, full adaptation for home use, easy gliding on the skin, the presence of nozzles for the face and large areas, the function of adjusting the flash power, wireless mode, additional protection from UV rays.
The features of this model are the high power of the lamp (more than 140,000 flashes), which significantly reduces the processing time of the skin, and the accelerated charging mode - up to 100 minutes.
How to use Philips photoepilators?
Ease of use is the main plus that every Philips Lumia photoepilator has. The instruction for the use of each type does not imply any special conditions:
- Shave, rinse thoroughly and dry the area of the skin that you will process.
- If necessary, clean the light window of the photoepilator.
- Turn on the device and set the indicator on the skin color sensor according to your tone.
- Carry out the test in a small area to select the conditions for the most effective processing.
- After each flash, move the device further; do not use more than 1 hit in the area.
- After 24 hours, inspect the test site. If there are no extraneous reactions, photoepilation can be performed on the remaining area at the maximum acceptable comfortable level in accordance with the skin tone.
If the model of your photoepilator provides for special nozzles, select the accessory designed for a specific part of the body before turning on the device. Also make sure that the treated surfaces intersect slightly.
That, in principle, is all that is needed to safely and effectively use any Philips Lumia photoepilator. The instructions are quite simple, and any woman can cope with the device.
Philips photoepilator reviews
What do women themselves say about these devices, having already tried this method of hair removal on themselves? Almost every Philips Lumia photoepilator has the most positive reviews. As for their main characteristics and purpose, women note the high effectiveness and duration of the effect. With an average weight (from 0.5 to 0.7 kg), the devices are convenient to hold in hands, practically no fatigue occurs, even with long procedures.
The most popular photoepilator is Philips Lumia Comfort. The feedback from the owners of the device primarily speaks of its fairly low cost for equipment of this level and compact size, which can not be said for Precision Plus devices. Extra coarse hair requires an extended course of procedures, but the result is worth it. Women note that with regular use of the photoepilator, the time between procedures increases each time - the hair begins to grow back more slowly. The only drawback of the Comfort series is that this epilator has a wire that interferes periodically with use.
The Philips Lumia photoepilator with special nozzles is very interesting. Reviews (2003, 2004 and 2006 models are included here in the first place) suggest that any of them perfectly eliminates unwanted facial hair. Moreover, no matter how unpleasant it may sound, the darker the hairs above the lip and on the cheeks, the better the device copes with its task. If the tone and force of the blow are selected correctly, then no discomfort occurs during or after the procedure. The main disadvantage of the Precision Plus series can be considered the price - the cost of the device can reach as much as 40,000 rubles, which puts it on a par with professional equipment.
The absence of the need to attend salon procedures and regularly buy supplies is what each Philips Lumia photoepilator also characterizes. Reviews of women indicate that although the devices are expensive, their price is completely beaten off over time. And you can use it at any time, without an appointment and queue in the cosmological office.
However, any Philips Lumia photoepilator, reviews of which are given above, must be selected taking into account the conditions of its use. If you want to treat your face, then saving on your health is not worth it - a Comfort series epilator will be enough, but it is better to give preference to more advanced models. And yet: for women with blond hair, these devices will not work - the effect will be extremely low.