Philips continues to focus on innovation in the field of at-home beauty with its Lumea 9900, an IPL hair removal device that aims to make long-lasting hair removal accessible to everyone. Designed to replace salon treatments, it features smart tips tailored to each area of the body, a SmartSkin skin sensor, and a mobile app that guides users step by step.
We used the Philips Lumea 9900 for a full year to measure its long-term effectiveness. With its 450,000 flashes , four dedicated attachments , and digital tracking, the device ticks all the boxes for a high-end product. But does it really deliver on its promise of smooth, hair-free skin over the long term?
Between practical innovations and sometimes frustrating limitations, here is our complete test after 12 months of testing.
Highlights
- Ease of use: intuitive and practical
- Smart Skin Sensor: Automatically adjusts intensity according to skin tone
- Tip recognition: settings adapted to each area
- Two flash modes: point by point or rapid sweep
Weaknesses
- Skin Restrictions: Light to Dark Skin Tone Only
- Hair restrictions: light brown to brown, ineffective on blondes, redheads, grays or whites
- Sun exposure: limited use after sun or sunburn
- High price: around €579, discounts possible during sales
Table of Contents
Unboxing and first impression of the Philips Lumea 9900
As soon as I took the Philips Lumea 9900 of its box, I was struck by the quality of its workmanship. The device is robust yet surprisingly lightweight, with an ergonomic handle IPL technology is at the heart of the device: flashes of light target the hair bulb to gradually slow regrowth.
The box contains everything you need for a complete at-home treatment: four smart attachments for the body, face, underarms, and bikini line. Each attachment is easy to insert, and the device automatically recognizes which one you're using to adjust the flash intensity. I also liked the small precision razor with mirror, which is handy for preparing areas before hair removal, as well as the storage pouch and cleaning accessories, which really simplify maintenance.
At first glance, the Lumea 9900 feels like a professional tool , designed for comfortable and safe use at home. The tips fit perfectly to the curves of the body and the ergonomics make the experience much more pleasant than other models I have tested before.
My experience with the hair removal program
From the very first use, I followed the program recommended by Philips : four sessions spaced two weeks apart to give the hair bulb time to adapt. Quickly, from the second or third session, I began to notice that the regrowth was getting thinner and less dense. The mobile app is a real plus: it guided me step by step, sent me reminders and allowed me to plan each area of the body with a personalized calendar. The small margin of a few days around the scheduled date offers pleasant flexibility, especially for busy weeks.
Retouching phase
After this initial phase, I continued with eight monthly sessions to maintain the results. The advantage of the Lumea 9900 is that it targets hairs in different growth phases , which optimizes overall effectiveness. The program is flexible, depending on the areas and personal needs, which means you don't feel trapped by a strict schedule.
Results and effectiveness
The time savings are impressive. Here's what I've seen in practice:
Underarms : 1 minute 30 to 2 minutes, whether plugged in or on battery
Face : 1 minute 30 to 2 minutes 30
Swimsuit : 2 to 3 minutes
Full leg : 6 minutes 30
Half leg : 4 minutes
Compared to waxing or a conventional electric epilator, the time savings are enormous. With this pace, I was able to treat my entire body in less than 15 minutes , which makes the Lumea 9900 particularly practical for regular use at home.
Effectiveness observed
From the first sessions, I was surprised by the speed of the results. From the second session , a large part of the body hair already began to fall out naturally, without any particular effort. The bikini , more resistant with thicker hair, required a little more patience: the first effects were clearly felt from the third session.
As the sessions progressed, I noticed that the hairs that grew back were progressively finer and less numerous , making maintenance much simpler. After following the full 12-session , I was able to enjoy a quiet period of 6 to 8 months before having to do any touch-ups. This is clearly an advantage compared to traditional methods, where regrowth is much faster and more regular.
- Ease of use: intuitive and practical.
- Smart Skin Sensor: Automatically adjusts intensity according to skin tone.
- Tip recognition: settings adapted to each area.
- Two flash modes: point by point or rapid sweep.
- Works on mains or battery: faster plugged in.
- Safety: UV filter and skin test required.
- Guided application: advice and personalized follow-up.
- Comfort: slight tingling, ergonomic handle, no consumables.
- Skin restrictions: light to dark only.
- Hair restrictions: light brown to brown, ineffective on blondes, redheads, grays or whites.
- Sun exposure: limited use after sun or sunburn.
- Strict hygiene: clean and dry skin required.
- Epilepsy and moles: necessary precautions.
- Missing accessories: safety glasses not included.
- Weight: 500-600g, may be tiring during prolonged use.
- High price: around €579, discounts possible during sales.
Who would recommend the Philips Lumea 9900 to?
After several months of use, it is quite easy to identify the ideal profile for the Philips Lumea 9900 . This IPL hair removal device is mainly aimed at people with light to dark skin and brown to brunette hair , as these are the hair types that respond best to light flashes. It is particularly suitable for those who are looking for a long-lasting solution at home and who are prepared to follow a regular program to achieve optimal results.
Budget-wise, you should expect to pay around €450 , including any discounts. At first glance, this may seem high, but upon closer inspection, the investment quickly pays for itself. For comparison, four salon sessions already cover a large part of the device's price, and a complete professional treatment often requires at least ten sessions . In the long run, the Lumea 9900 therefore becomes an effective and economical alternative to salon sessions , while offering the freedom to wax whenever you want, without appointments or scheduling constraints.
Comparing the Lumea 9900 with the competition
When testing the Lumea 9900, it was impossible not to compare it to its main direct competitor: the Braun Silk Expert 5. On paper, the two devices are very similar, but the differences are based on technical details that make the difference in use .
What really stood out to me about the Philips was its Smart Skin sensor , which automatically adjusts flash intensity based on skin type, providing a safer and more personalized experience. Added to this is its 450,000 flashes , one of the highest volumes available on the market, which ensures impressive longevity of the device. The included tips and mobile app complete the experience, making use more intuitive and flexible than some competing models.
Ultimately, while the Braun Silk Expert 5 remains an excellent alternative, the Lumea 9900 stands out for its precision, longevity and personalized monitoring , which can fully justify its price for those who want a high-end device at home.
What users say about the Lumea 9900
User feedback largely confirms my own observations. The majority report a noticeable reduction in hair regrowth , with particularly visible results on body areas. One user reports:
"My hair grew slower and was finer. I also felt like the hair growth was sparser," after just one month of use.
Testimonials emphasize the importance of perseverance faster and more dramatic results .
In terms of comfort, the opinion is almost unanimous: hair removal is painless , even in sensitive areas like the bikini line. The only side effects mentioned are slight temporary redness after the sessions, which disappears quickly.
Finally, despite the initial cost being considered high, users consider that the investment is largely justified . The possibility of waxing at home, at their own pace, without time constraints or modesty , is particularly appreciated. The long-lasting results and ease of use make the Lumea 9900 a real tool that transforms the daily hair removal routine .
Customer Service and Support
During my review, I also tested Philips customer service , and the experience was very positive. The support via WhatsApp was fast, responsive and professional , able to answer all my questions without delay.
A nice little bonus: by contacting customer service before purchasing, I was able to get discount codes , which is especially useful during sales periods. This convenience and accessibility enhances the overall experience of buying and using the Lumea 9900, especially for those who want to maximize the value of their investment.
Philips IPL Hair Remover Verdict
After several months of use, the Philips Lumea 9900 proves that it largely keeps its promises, for people compatible with IPL technology . The effectiveness is real: the hairs grow back fewer and finer, the time saving is considerable and the safety is well thought out thanks to the Smart Skin sensor. The smart tips and the mobile application make use intuitive and pleasant, truly transforming the home hair removal routine.
However, there are some limitations to be aware of. Compatibility restrictions , related to skin and hair color, exclude a significant portion of the population. The high price , even with discounts, may also put a strain on some budgets.
For those who meet the criteria and can afford the investment, the Lumea 9900 is an excellent choice , capable of replacing salon sessions. It combines convenience, efficiency and time savings , offering real long-term comfort of use and an attractive price/quality ratio for a high-end home solution.
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