The Philips Lumea Prestige BRI956/00 is the best home IPL hair removal device you can buy. If you have the correct skin tone and the right hair colour, this device will achieve results after only two sessions. Here’s our Philips Lumea Prestige review (BRI956/00).
RRP: £575
Philips Lumea Prestige Review (BRI956/00): Should I buy?
This is the best IPL hair removal device on the market. And as we explain below, performing IPL in the comfort of your own home is hugely cost/time effective. If you’re serious about removing unwanted hair at home, then the Philips Lumea BRI956/00 will do it. It offers wired and wireless operation and comes with a number of attachments. Couple these attributes with its ergonomic shape and you can see that your money is buying an IPL device that is unparalleled regarding ease of use and performance.
The only thing you absolutely have to check – and this is an industry-wide requirement – is whether you have the correct skin tone and hair colour for IPL treatment. See below to find out more.
Click here to buy the Philips Lumea Prestige BRI956/00 on Amazon
Philips Lumea Prestige Review (BRI956/00): Design
The look and feel of the Prestige show how far the home IPL industry has come. And in a relatively short space of time. It works with or without a cord, and has more than enough battery to cover your entire body, should you wish/need to. Its design and (lack of) weight makes it easy to use and target difficult body areas.
Operating the device is intuitive too. After less than a minute of reading the quick-read manual and safety information, you’ll be ready to start your home IPL treatment.
Philips Lumea Prestige Review (BRI956/00): How Does it Work?
What is IPL: The Philips Lumea Prestige uses IPL to remove unwanted hair. IPL stands for Intense Pulsed Light. This is essentially a high-output flashlight. The powerful light travels through the skin and targets the hair’s melanin (hair pigment). When the light is absorbed by the hair it injures the follicle. To completely destroy a hair follicle you need to injure it during a growth phase. The timeline of growth cycles varies and this is why IPL treatment can take 7-10 weekly sessions to complete.
This device is Philips’ most sophisticated yet. The SmartSkin Sensor is a feature we particularly like. Select this feature from the dedicated button on the top of the machine and press its nozzle against your skin. The Lumea Prestige will then take a reading of your skin tone and select the correct setting for the best results. Some of Prestige’s more basic rivals require you to do this manually or only have one mode.
Like all IPL machines, the Philips Lumea Prestige only works on certain skin tones and hair colours. Fair skin and dark hair is the perfect combination. See the chart above for reference on the colours suitable for IPL.
Philips Lumea Prestige Review (BRI956/00): How Long Does it Take to Get Results?
Results vary. However, you should expect to see reduced hair growth from the first session. Each session onwards will deliver better results. The Philips Lumea Prestige markets itself with the ability to reduce hair by up to 92% within three sessions.
Whether you can achieve the same results will depend on your skin tone, hair colour and coarseness of hair. If the device is compatible with your body you will usually start to notice a big difference after second or third treatment.
Weekly or bi-weekly treatment is recommended and continue this for 4-8 weeks. To maintain the best results you should treat yourself again every 4-8 weeks if needed.
Philips Lumea Prestige Review (BRI956/00): How Long Does Each Session Take?
It’s a lot quicker than going to the salon. You first need to prepare the area you want to treat by shaving off the existing hair.
Philips then quotes:
- 2 x Lower legs 8.5 mins
- Bikini 2 mins
- Underarm 2.5 mins
- Face 1.5 mins
One area the Philips Lumea Prestige is better than other home IPL hair removal devices is with its attachments. The Prestige comes with four different nozzles and each one is designed with a specific curve to match a body part. The included nozzles are to be used on the body; bikini; underarm and face.
Philips Lumea Prestige Review (BRI956/00): Does it Hurt?
The quick answer is no. It’s definitely a lot less painful than waxing. Some users have likened the feeling to an elastic band flicking against the skin. This will depend on the density coarseness of your hair. Areas with thick and coarse hair will feel a greater pang, while other areas where the hair is finer and spread wider apart will be completely painless. The reason for this is because the follicle will absorb the energy from the intense flash. The denser the grouping the hotter the flash will feel due to more hair absorbing the energy. But like we said, any pain is similar to getting flicked with an elastic band and is over instantly.
In short, the pain is minimal and you can definitely handle it.
Philips Lumea Prestige Review (BRI956/00): Cost vs Salon
This is not a cheap product. It’s a top of the range model and you’re paying for the best technology available. However, when you look at what beauty salons charge for a single full-body IPL treatment, it’s often already more expensive than the Philips Lumea Prestige’s RRP (and you need at least six treatments). It’s also worth noting this device has an advertised lamp life of up to 20 years.
Philips Lumea Prestige Review (BRI956/00): Verdict
If you’re serious about removing unwanted hair, then IPL is a scientifically proven way to achieve that goal. Providing you have the correct skin tone and hair colour. It’s pain-free, quick, and doesn’t create a mess. This device is one of the more expensive on the market, but its results are also the best. Seeing up to 92% hair reduction in 3 weeks is a big pull too.
Click here to buy the Philips Lumea Prestige BRI956/00 on Amazon
Philips Lumea Prestige (BRI956/00) Specs:
- Product description: IPL with 4 uniquely designed attachments for body, face, bikini & underarms
- Hair reduction: 92% in 3 treatments*
- Energy settings 5
- SmartSkin sensor: Yes
- Attachments: Body (curved), face (curved), bikini (curved
- Usage: Corded & cordless
- Lamp lifetime: Up to 20 years of use