How do I prepare for a Philips Lumea treatment?

Before your first treatment on each body area, test your skin’s reaction and find a suitable treatment setting. It's important to repeat this step after unprotected sun exposure because this can alter your skin tone. Also perform a skin test again after you’ve stopped using Lumea and want to start treating yourself again.

Depending on which Lumea model you have, there are two ways to perform a skin test. See the next section on how to perform a skin test with your Lumea.

For the following Lumea model numbers: BRI92X, SC199X, BRI94X, BRI95X, BRI97X, BRP958.

 Attach the right attachment and place the Lumea flush against your skin. Treat one spot with setting 1, move to another spot on the same body area and treat with setting 2. Repeat this for settings 3, 4 and 5 as well.

Wait 24 hours and check your skin, choose the highest setting that still felt comfortable and did not cause a skin reaction.

For the following Lumea model numbers: BRI87X, BRI90X, BRI91X, BRI93X, BRI98X, BRI99X

Attach the right attachment and place the Lumea flush against your skin and the light intensity indicator will propose a light intensity setting for you. Select a light intensity and place the Lumea back on your skin and press the flash button once. If the flash is comfortable, you can increase the intensity. If you experience pain, lower the intensity. Move to an adjacent spot and flash again. Repeat until you find the highest comfortable setting.

If there are no skin reactions after 24 hours, start the treatment with the highest comfortable setting. If the highest comfortable setting resulted in a skin reaction, choose a lower intensity that did not result in any skin reactions. If you did not test a lower setting, repeat the skin test.

Wax, shave or epilate the area of your skin you are treating before using Lumea. Perform a treatment before new hair is visible on your skin. If you choose to wax, wait 24 hours before you use Lumea.

See FAQ: ‘Why do I need to remove hair before a Philips Lumea treatment?’ for more info.

Make sure no water, oil, cream, deodorant or body milk is left on your skin. Also, never use numbing cream before using Lumea.

Note: after use, if you want to apply lotions, creams, deodorants, moisturisers or cosmetics to the treated areas, always check the instruction leaflet of the product you want to apply to make sure it is suitable for the condition of your skin at that moment.

Your Lumea comes with different attachments. Each attachment is used to treat different areas of the body, don’t use the attachments on areas they are not intended for. Check your user manual to determine which attachments came with your specific Lumea model.

Note: do not use any other attachment than the face attachment on your face.

See FAQ: ‘What are the differences between the Philips Lumea attachments?’ for more information on the different attachments.

Check if your attachment is clean and undamaged before each treatment. Clean your attachments and the glass of the light exit window after each treatment. Dirty attachments or glass can produce an unpleasant or burning smell and reduce the effectiveness of your Lumea.

Refer to your user manual for cleaning instructions or see the FAQ titled: 'How do I clean my Philips Lumea?'

Do not start or resume using Lumea within 4 weeks after exposing your skin to sunlight unprotected (natural sun or tanning bed) or within 2 weeks after artificial tanning (creams, sprays or pills). Perform a skin test before starting or resuming your treatment.

During the entire IPL treatment period, and especially in the first 48 hours after treatment, protect your skin from sunlight with clothing or apply sun-blocking products of not less than SPF50 on the non-covered treatment areas.