Philips Lumea 9000 series review

What is it?

The Philips Lumea 9000 series launched in 2022 replaces the previous Lumea Prestige models. The latest 9900 series (with the same device specification but more App features) was launched in early 2023.

All these models use powerful light energy called Intense Pulsed Light (IPL). It heats and damages key areas of your hair follicles slowing and reducing hair regrowth after each treatment. Eventually hair stops growing and periodic use will keep you fuzz and stubble free. 

Learn more about how home IPL works here.

Philips are long established in the UK and European IPL market. They’re trusted for their exceptional build quality, thoughtful and ergonomic designs, plain speaking and evidence-based claims. They’ve also published robust peer-reviewed studies on the long-term results of at-home IPL devices. This series of IPL devices stand-out for the intuitive gun-shape, body area specific flash windows, and the option of cordless use as well as on mains power.

First impressions

The Lumea packaging is a clean, attractive, compact and sturdy cardboard box with a slide-off information sleeve. It matches Philips’ distinctive brand in mostly white, with accents of rose gold and magenta unique to Lumea. Everything is neatly layered inside. Unfortunately, it relies on chunky rigid moulded plastic to secure the device, which is likely to end up in a landfill somewhere. That’s bad, and I expect a cleverer, more eco-friendly solution from Philips.

In the Philips Lumea 9900 kit:

• Lumea 9900 IPL device
• Power supply & plug
• Bikini window
• Underarm window
• Face window
• User manual
• Cleaning cloth
• Storage pouch
• Facial hair remover device
• Warranty leaflets

Quality & design

Most at-home IPL and laser devices can’t compare to the distinctive quality, shape and styling of the Lumea 9000 series. The pale pink body is an eye-catching change from the usual white. It’s complemented with a dusky rose-gold front with a striking metallic edge.

This device oozes quality, with smooth and strong materials, close seams and joins, a 2 metre flexible power cord, and easy-to-change flash windows. You get a massive 450,000 flashes from the IPL bulb too. This is way more flashes than you’ll ever need to get smooth and stay that way. There’s a good 2-year warranty too.

The gun-shape is larger and heavier than rival IPL devices (almost twice as heavy as most) because it has a rechargeable lithium battery inside. That means you can do cordless zapping as well as with mains power. Despite the weight, the precisely angled handle fits comfy in your hand as you press the flash trigger. It’s perfectly balanced so you won’t feel any strain on your wrist.

The button controls are on top of the device. They’re flush with the body and tucked out of the way so you can’t accidentally change a setting. Your selected options glow white.

The battery icon glows orange when the battery needs a charge, and it glows white as it’s charging.

Power & safety features

The Lumea 9000 series has 5 intensity levels and operates at higher IPL power than other devices (from 2.5 to 6.5 J/cm²). This means, if you have fair skin and can use the higher levels, it gives you longer lasting results than less powerful choices. The lower levels are safe for darker skin.

To keep your eyes safe, it has a skin contact sensor (which runs around the entire edge of the flash outlet window). Your skin must cover it all or else it won’t flash. This stops accidental flashes into mid-air and anywhere near your eyes. 

And to keep your skin safe, there’s an in-built UV filter in the bulb. Plus, if the sensor detects your skin tone is too dark, it won’t flash (and the ready light blinks orange). 

You can also use the SmartSkin sensor. This reads your skin tone and then suggests the safest, highest IPL level you can use. This is a reassuring safety check which takes away the stress of choosing the right intensity level. It’s especially good for you if your skin tone varies by body area or changes with the seasons.

But if you know which intensity level is your best, simply use the manual control it. Use this to adjust your level down a bit where it can sting on sensitive areas.

Flash windows

Along with the large body flash window, you also get additional attachments to better treat other body areas. 

Like rival devices, the windows are rectangle shapes but with different dimensions to fit different body areas. The largest is for legs and body and it’s a wide and high rectangular shape. Next is the bikini which is a thin and long rectangle. The underarm window is also a rectangle, but it’s fatter and shorter than the bikini window. And the face window is the smallest in a thin and long rectangle shape. They have icons on them so you can tell them apart.

But Philips have developed their flash windows a step further. They call them ‘intelligent’, but what this really means is they’re easier to flash with targeted light energy for your different body hair types. They work like this…

First, they’re easier to flash because some of them curve. The bikini and underarm windows curve gently outwards. This helps them fit tight against these body contours and makes it easier to flash. The body / leg attachment curves gently outwards, which perfectly matches your leg and torso curves. And the face window is flat as this is best for the softer, plumper skin on your lower face and neck. 

And they target your hairs more effectively too. Some have filters, and each has a chip that inserts into the flashbulb. These both change the IPL energy to match different hair types and sensitivity to body areas. 

Before you start

Before you start, read the user manual and do a skin sensitivity test.

The manual is a comprehensive and easy read. You’ll find helpful diagrams, skin tone and hair colour charts, information on how IPL works, what to expect from your Lumea, instructions for your skin test, how to use it, aftercare guidance and troubleshooting.

There’s a long list of reasons you may be unsuitable to use home IPL at the start. These contraindications range from pregnancy, epilepsy, diabetes, skin conditions, tattoos, after skin peels, and medical conditions and medications which make you more sensitive to the light. Check none apply to you, they’re there to keep you safe. 

Learn more about IPL contraindications here to ensure it’s safe for you.

Check your skin sensitivity on each treatment area. Test each level to see which is best. Start with a flash at level 1, then another next to it at level 2, and so on. If level 1 is too painful, don’t use the device! And if a flash causes you pain or discomfort, there’s no need to move up a level. Wait for 24 hours and then check your skin. If you’ve no skin reactions, continue with your first treatment at the highest comfortable level.

How & when to use it?

Don’t forget to read the user manual and do a skin sensitivity test first!

Find a comfy and private spot. You may need an extension cable if you can’t work close to a power outlet. A full-length mirror is helpful too for your face, underarms, and backs of legs.

First, choose your flash window to match the body area you’re treating. Here, I’m using the legs and body attachment.

Second, power on the device by pressing in the power button.

Next, set your intensity level. Use the highest and most comfortable level you found during your skin test. Manually set it using the arrow button, left or right. The selected level shows white above. I’m skin tone is fair so I use levels 4 or 5.

Or you can use the advanced SmartSkin sensor to read your skin tone and then match it with the most powerful and safest intensity. To do this, press the ‘magnify glass’ button…

…Then, place the flash window flush against your skin for the sensor to scan it. The intensity levels continue to light up. Once it has a reading, the lights stay white up to the suggested intensity and the ‘tick’ button glows white, too. Press it to select this intensity…

Now you’re ready to cover your skin in flashes. Place the device in the starting spot. The ‘ready’ light on the back glows white when you have good skin contact and the device is ready to flash. Press and release the flash trigger. You’ll see a bright flash and hear a gentle pop. Move to the next position (just the height of the flash window outlet) and flash again. Repeat until you’ve covered all the skin in the treatment area.

You can keep the flash trigger pressed for continuous flashes, and glide over your skin in between flashes.

When to use it

Home laser and IPL devices demand effort and commitment. There’s a start-up routine to get you to smooth, and give your longest lasting results.

The start-up schedule is 4 sessions, one every 2 weeks. This is less frequent than all other at-home lasers and IPL devices which typically need weekly sessions.

After this start-up stage you can switch to less frequent top-ups every month or so to stay hair-free.

What’s it like & feel like?

The Philips Lumea 9000 series is very intuitive, comfortable, and the most precise and controlled home IPL I’ve tested. The session times are slower on high- versus low-intensity levels. And the flashes feel warm to hot, with a bit of a sting in some areas. 

Let’s cover this in more detail now.

Comfort & precision

First up, it’s simple to operate. The buttons and indicators are visible on top of the device, but out of the way so you can’t accidentally press them. And I like the choice of both manual and the scan-and-set intensity controls. 

The SmartSkin skin tone sensor is a neat feature to rely on when you start out. It takes the guesswork out of choosing your intensity level. This is especially reassuring if you have a medium or darker tone and aren’t sure which level is safe. 

But I like you can use the manual controls too. These are quicker if you want the high levels for fair skin, and vital to turn it down if it stings. 

Second, the gun-shape is comfortable to hold despite its weight. You can slide your grip around the tapered handle to press the flash button with either your thumb or fingers. And the slightly angled shape means it’s surprisingly handy for its size. It’s intuitive, balanced and easy to pivot with your wrist without strain.

But it may be too heavy for some, especially if you have diminished strength or movement in your wrist or arm. Check out the lightweight SmoothSkin Pure instead.

The weight comes from the rechargeable battery inside the device. Cordless is a handy feature, especially if you need the privacy of your bathroom to zap your face or bikini line. A battery charge lasts roughly 30 minutes, so it’s plenty of time to zap these bits. 

However, don’t plan on using it cordless for larger areas like back, torso or legs. It takes ages because the flashes are around 1 second slower versus on mains power. It’s especially noticeable on the higher intensity levels. And the limited battery run time means you likely won’t finish the entire area either.

Mains power is the most fitting and convenient choice here. Grab an extension cable so you have plenty of slack and, thanks to the long handle, the cord won’t get in your way.

I’ve found two main coverage techniques with the 9000 series. You can do vertical left/right flashes (or rings around your legs), or horizontal flashes in up/down strips. Both are easy, but it’s worth testing each in different body areas, to see which you prefer. Or perhaps combine them. Learn more in the helpful tips section below.

Next, it’s easy to flash. The white ‘ready’ indicator light is clear to see from most angles because it wraps around the sides of the device. If it’s off, adjust your position so the flash window is flush against your skin. And it’s easy to gauge where you’re flashing because of the tapered heads.  

The curved windows make it easier to get a flash too. They create a closer fit for the skin contact sensor against your curves. It’s super on legs. However, there are still areas where it’s tricky, such as ankles and shins. Check out my tips for these bits in the next section.

Next, on to how speedy the sessions are…

Session speed

First, let’s look at the flash rate.

The flash rate differs depending on the intensity level, mains power versus cordless use, and the flash windows you use. 

Used on mains power with the body attachment for back, torso and legs, the flash rate is fastest on the lowest intensities versus the higher. Level 1 gives flashes in under one second, so it’s a quick, almost continuous gliding movement over your skin. 

Level 5 flashes roughly once every 2 seconds. This gives ample time to slide to the next position, so the motion is flash – slide – pause – flash – then slide again.

The flash rate is up to 1 second slower using the face and bikini windows (still with mains power). Presumably this is because these areas require control and precision, hence more time to position the window. 

If you use the device cordless, the flash rate for the face and bikini window is unchanged. But it slows by up to around 1.5 seconds using the body and underarm windows (depending on the intensity level). This makes a tremendous difference, and sessions quickly become tiresome.

But it’s not just the flash rate that’s important. It’s also how easy it is to flash and manoeuvre around your body, which contributes to slower or faster session times. And the 9000 series is very easy. 

On mains power and intensity level 5, I can treat my whole body in around 35 to 40 minutes. That’s not bad. Philips suggests you should split treatment of body areas over different days (and the app supports this too). However, I prefer to get it all done in one go, and I think it’s quick enough to do your full body in one sitting before getting too tired.

Here are my average speed test results:

*Average session times when used corded on mains power, using the specialist flash windows by body area, and the body window for legs & tummy. Full body includes lower & upper legs, bikini line, tummy, underarms, chin & upper lip.

You can lower the intensity for faster flashes if your legs take too long. It still works. Just be aware you’ll need more top-ups to match the results from the higher intensities. However, I like this steady flash rate combined with the easy flash windows and handy gun-shape. You find a comfortable rhythm with precise control. 

If you want a device that gives faster sessions with the same high IPL power, check out the Braun Pro 5 and SmoothSkin Pure (or why not compare them here). They give noticeably faster sessions. 

What does it feel like?

You hear the whirring of the cooling fan and a soft popping sound with each flash.

The flashes are bright. Philips advises not to look directly at the window as you work or you could see light spots in front of your eyes. This feels a little counterintuitive, but it helps to look to one side of the device as you work. Or if you find it too bright and annoying, you could wear sunglasses, or a pair of inexpensive IPL glasses. If you really don’t like the sound of bright flashes, opt for a laser with no visible light.

I use the highest intensity level 5 and the flashes feel warm to hot. Some describe this as a warm tingle, or an elastic band snapping against the skin. I find it closer to a mild, diffused sunburn sensation on the surface of my skin. And I find the specialist attachments help reduce the zing, especially on my bikini line and underarms. Still, some areas simply smart a little more than others where your skin is more sensitive. For me, this is my ankles and tops of my thighs. You may have different sensitive bits from these.

The darker your skin, the more diffused heat you’ll feel. If it’s uncomfortable or hurts, simply drop the intensity level a notch or two. It still works at the lower intensities. Or you could try a gentler device designed for the darkest skin tones.

Skin redness is a common skin reaction to IPL. Your skin may also feel hot and tingly. It’s normal and should wear off within 24 hours. Cool it with a damp facecloth or ice pack. Cooling water sprays are good too, Aloe Vera gel or a non-scented moisturiser.

Cover-up and avoid tanning and sun exposure after your session. If you don’t, there’s a higher risk you’ll experience the rare home IPL side effects.

Helpful tips & advice

• You can sit on your bed, or on a chair. But I prefer a soft carpeted floor. That’s because as you shift your weight, it’s solid and supportive. Whereas a bed makes dips and bumps as you move. These can obstruct the device, especially around your ankles and calves (plus it makes your abs work harder!)
• A full-length mirror is helpful for your face, underarms, tummy, backs of knees and legs.
• If using it corded, double check the power is on at the outlet. If not, the device works on battery power and the flashes are slower.
• Use it in a well-lit room so the flashes don’t seem so intense. I find natural light is the best.
• It takes a bit of concentration so you don’t miss any areas. 
• Although the device is easy to manoeuvre and position, you must consider if there’s enough space for the handle as you work around your ankles, calves, tops of legs, bikini line, neck, etc.
• If the flash is hard to get, you can push the fleshy bits of your calves or thighs, or other skin around the flash window. 

When & what results you’ll see

Philips says it takes 1 to 2 weeks for treated hairs to fall out. And you’ll still see some hair growth from new growing follicles or hairs you missed. Shave before your next treatments, and in between sessions if you need to.

After 2 to 3 sessions (4 weeks), most see a noticeable hair reduction. This means less and finer, lighter hairs. Keep going. Shaving becomes much easier where hairs are sparse and fine. So, no more razor bumps or rash! Ingrown hairs disappear too.

After 4 sessions (6 weeks), your hair reduction should be significant, and at best, you’ll be totally smooth! This matches my tester’s results too.

After this, you can switch to a less regular maintenance schedule of one top-up every 4 to 6 weeks. And after several top-ups, many people find they can drop the frequency even further.

Learn more about results here.

The negatives

There are a few negatives with the Philips Lumea 9000 IPL.

First, this is a heavy device because of the rechargeable battery inside. However, it’s ergonomic, balanced and intuitive, so I don’t notice it much. But, if you have diminished strength or motion in your wrist or arm, you may find it too tiring. I recommend the SmoothSkin Pure or Braun Pro 5 instead. See how they compare here.

Second, there’s wasteful plastic packaging in the box. Most brands have found robust and eco friendly alternatives, so it’s a shame Philips are lagging beyond here.

Next, the Lumea brand does not have FDA clearance (for promotion in the USA). Whilst clearance is reassuring, lack of it doesn’t mean it’s unsafe or it won’t work. It just means Philips have not applied for or received clearance. Philips is a respected top-notch brand, and it meets all the European safety and manufacturing standards, and some voluntary standards too. It’s CE and UKCA certified, so you can be confident it’s a professional option.

There’s also the session times to consider. At the highest IPL intensity, it takes around 40 minutes for a full body session. I can complete this before getting tired. But you may need something even quicker to fit into your day. In that case, look at the high-power SmoothSkin Pure and Braun Pro 5 IPL for full body sessions done in around 20 minutes!

And finally, the Lumea 9000 series is expensive at full RRP (£539.99). However, in the UK you get a long 100-day money-back guarantee. Plus, discounts are common. Check out the different models to see which has the best price before you buy. Or save some pennies and opt for the slightly cheaper 8000 series. It’s the same specification, but minus the cordless operation.

Buy Philips Lumea 9000 series

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