SMOOTH OPERATOR
Whether you choose to flaunt your fuzz or remove your hair for a silky smooth finish, the right tools can help you feel unstoppable. So, if you’re after a safe and effective form of hair removal that offers long-term results, look no further than the Philips Lumea IPL device. Here, dermatologist Dr Sharon Wong explains all you need to know about this handy piece of tech, which will leave you hair-free for up to six months*
HOW DOES IPL WORK?
‘IPL (intense pulsed light) delivers intense pulses of light to the skin, and into the hair follicle, disrupting the hair growth cycle and putting hair into a resting phase, causing it to fall out,’ says Dr Wong. ‘It’s gentler than laser hair removal, for example, and can be done at home safely with a device such as the Philips Lumea.’
IS IT PAINFUL?
‘IPL feels like your skin is being lightly flicked by an elastic band,’ Dr Wong explains. ‘For maximum comfort, the Philips Lumea features an in-built Smartskin Sensor to help you select the correct light setting for your skintone.’
HOW LONG DOES A SESSION TAKE?
‘With the Philips IPL 9000 Series, it should only take you about 15 minutes to do both legs, and five minutes to do your face, underarms or bikini area respectively,’ says Dr Wong. ‘It’s also cordless, which makes it super-convenient.’
CAN I SHAVE BETWEEN SESSIONS?
‘Yes! Remember, to use IPL, you have to remove hair first. It works on the root of the follicle, but not surface hair – so it’s important to shave, wax or epilate before you get started,’ says Dr Wong. ‘You can shave just before a session, but if you’re waxing or epilating, do this 24 hours beforehand to minimise any skin irritation.’
WHAT KIND OF RESULTS CAN I EXPECT?
‘I’d recommend using the Lumea once a fortnight for the first four treatments, and once a month for the next eight,’ says Dr Wong. ‘You can expect a significant reduction in hair regrowth after a few sessions, with most people typically seeing a 92% hair reduction after just three treatments**.’