In our series Trial Run, TZR editors and writers put the buzziest new beauty products to the test and share their honest reviews. This week, branded beauty director Shyema Azam is testing the latest Philips Lumea IPL 9900 Pro.
Let’s just get this out of the way at the top: excess hair is a subject many of us brown girls are all too familiar with. Few of us made it through our awkward teen years without at least the beginnings of a mustache or unibrow. While our hairless counterparts seemed to glide effortlessly through life, we were busy surviving razor bumps, waxing appointments, threading — the whole nine yards. So naturally, the minute I made enough money for laser hair removal, I did it. Eight sessions, to be exact. And honestly? The results were great. Until I realized there were still a few stubborn patches that kept coming back — just enough to bother me, but not nearly enough to justify dropping another $1,000+ per session to start the whole process over again.
Let’s just say the Philips Lumea IPL 9900 Pro came into my life at exactly the right time. I’d known about at-home IPL hair removal devices, but never tried one. As a beauty editor, this latest launch intrigued me because it’s the first IPL that talks to you*, with real-time audio guidance so you can feel confident you’re doing it right; and it offers a whopping 5 years of smooth-feeling skin.** So, I knew once I booked my girls’ trip to Greece (that will involve island hopping, pool days, and beaches no less), it was time to give it a try. Ahead, what it is and why I may be breaking up with my razors.
Fast Facts
- Price: $699.95
- Best For: Anyone from those new to light-based hair removal to those who are experienced users wanting touch ups in between treatments.
- What We Like: It was easy to switch out attachments for different body parts, and is comfortable to use even in sensitive areas. Its accompanying app demystifies how to use the device with easy-to-follow instructions even for newbies and tracks progress with ease. Plus it’s the only IPL that talks to you,* giving you real-time audio guidance as you go.
- What We Don’t Like: While the results are long-lasting, you can’t rush through each session, so it can’t be done in a time crunch.
What is the Philips Lumea IPL 9900 Pro?
For the uninitiated, IPL stands for Intense Pulsed Light, and what this handheld device essentially does is use broad-spectrum light to put hair follicles to rest, reducing unwanted body and facial hair over time. According to Dr. Aamna Adel, Philips’ Consultant Dermatologist, “As a dermatologist, what interests me with IPL isn’t simply that light is being used. What matters is how precisely that energy is delivered where it is needed, how consistently it performs over time and how safely it can be used. That’s why IPL has remained such an important technology within the hair removal space. It’s clinically established, medically validated and supported by years of scientific evidence.”
The main differentiator is that Lumea IPL 9900 Pro is the first IPL that talks to you through every step.* Think of it as a personal coach, helping you to avoid missed spots and overexposures. It also has SmartSkin sensors that can actually detect your skin tone, and help you select a comfortable light setting for your treatment
The app is also like your at-home “appointment” manager, logging how many sessions you’ve done, how many flashes and at what intensity you did them, and when you’re due for your next session. With monthly touch-ups, you can enjoy smooth-feeling skin for five years.**
The Lumea IPL is FDA-cleared, and comes with four separate attachments contoured to different curves of the body – clearly marked for the face, bikini line, underarms, and legs — that you can switch back and forth with ease.
My Experience & Results
I’ve already had a few at-home sessions, and the only thing I think about is, “Why haven’t I tried this before?” I waited 24 hours after shaving and then gave it a go. While I have to admit I was a little apprehensive going in, the app made it so easy to see how to lay the attachments against my skin correctly for good skin contact, and the flash of light for every pulse made it easy to tell when to move on to the next section.
The Philips Lumea IPL 9900 Pro in action
Soon, it started to become my self-care session after my shower to treat myself, and my skin has been staying smooth as ever. I love that you can also use this on your face. The face attachment has a UV filter for delicate skin. I started using it on my upper lip and chin area that were trouble spots, and now I don’t have to constantly pluck hair there. I was surprised by how easy it was to use — and even more surprised by how comfortable it felt. For me, the sensation was more like a quick, light rubber-band snap than anything truly uncomfortable.
Safe to say what started as a pre-vacation beauty experiment may have become my new go-to for keeping unwanted hair in check, especially knowing this isn’t a one-and-done before my big girls’ trip, but something that can keep my skin smooth for years to come.
*Based on at-home IPL devices in the market
**Up to 5 years of smooth-feeling skin with monthly touch-ups. Based on a consumer perception study. Individual results may vary.
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