Philips Lumea 9000 Series vs Philips Lumea Advanced
We compare the Philips Lumea 9000 Series and the Philips Lumea Advanced across every dimension that matters - our scores, the key specs, and how each performs on the things you will actually notice day to day.
At a glance
| Philips Lumea 9000 Series | Philips Lumea Advanced | |
|---|---|---|
| Our score | 8.1/10 | 7.7/10 |
| Best for | Long-term hair reduction at home, on light-to-medium skin with dark hair | Long-term hair reduction at home, on light-to-medium skin with dark hair |
| Not ideal for | Very dark skin, or light/grey/red hair - IPL needs dark hair on lighter skin to work, and it's a cosmetic device, not permanent removal or a medical treatment | Very dark skin, or light/grey/red hair - IPL needs dark hair on lighter skin to work, and it's a cosmetic device, not permanent removal or a medical treatment |
| Brand | Philips | Philips |
How It Works and Results
Philips Lumea 9000 Series
At-home IPL works by sending pulses of light into the hair follicles, which can weaken the hair growth cycle over repeated sessions. With the Philips, the device is used on the body, face and precision areas using three attachments. Sessions follow a routine: the skin is cleaned, the appropriate attachment is selected, and pulses are applied across the treatment area. Hair shedding may be noticed after a few treatments, and regrowth can become slower over time. Results vary by individual because hair thickness and growth patterns differ, and not all hairs respond in the same way.
Philips Lumea Advanced
This IPL hair removal device is designed for at-home IPL hair removal across three grooming zones: face, body and bikini. The next step is understanding how IPL works and what results to expect. The device delivers light energy to hair follicles with the aim of reducing regrowth over repeated sessions, rather than removing hair instantly. A patch test is typically used first to check comfort, and follow-up treatments are usually needed because hair grows in cycles. When sessions are completed consistently, hair can appear finer and sparser over time, while missed sessions may slow progress. Results vary, and some hair may not respond fully.
Skin Tone and Hair Colour Suitability
Philips Lumea 9000 Series
In terms of suitability, skin tone and hair colour are important because IPL works by targeting pigment in the hair. The IPL hair removal device uses three attachments for body, face and precision areas, so suitability depends in part on whether there is sufficient dark pigment for the device to target in each area. Lighter or very fine hair may show less effective results because there is less dark pigment for IPL to detect. Darker skin tones require extra caution, as the contrast between skin and hair can affect how safely the energy is directed, and safety guidance may limit use. IPL is generally suitable for DARK hair on LIGHT-TO-MEDIUM skin and does not work on very dark skin, or on light, grey, red or white hair.
Philips Lumea Advanced
Skin tone and hair colour influence how well IPL typically works, because the light energy is most effective when it targets dark pigment in the hair. For the SC1999/00, use is intended for the face, body and bikini areas, and results depend on the contrast between skin tone and hair colour. Very light or grey hair contains less pigment, so outcomes are less reliable. On darker hair with a suitable skin tone, the device can focus treatment on the follicle region, supporting smoother long-term reduction over time. Where skin tone is close to the hair shade, results may be uneven, so patch testing and careful readiness checks are important.
Intensity Levels and Flashes
Philips Lumea 9000 Series
Intensity levels and the number of flashes matter because IPL devices work by delivering pulses to the hair and skin, and the setting chosen affects both comfort and how well the treatment targets pigment. Lower settings are generally gentler, while higher settings may treat more effectively but can be more sensitive for some users. Even spacing between pulses is important, because overlap can waste flashes and gaps can leave missed areas.
Philips Lumea Advanced
Intensity levels and flashes determine how strong each IPL pulse is. Higher settings can increase the strength of the pulses, but they may also raise the chance of skin irritation. The Philips user can typically start at a lower intensity and increase gradually if the skin tolerates it well. Each session uses a sequence of flashes applied steadily across the treated area. A small test spot before full coverage helps confirm comfort and reaction, particularly on lighter or more sensitive skin. If redness, burning, or lasting discomfort occurs, the intensity should be reduced for the next session. Flashing stops during pauses or adjustments.
Body Areas and Attachments
Philips Lumea 9000 Series
Because the Philips is designed for more than one part of the body, it includes three attachments for the body, face and precision areas. Users choose the matching head before treatment to keep the workflow organised. The body attachment is intended for larger areas, the face attachment targets facial zones and the precision attachment is for smaller, harder-to-reach spots. This single-device setup suits households that want one system for multiple grooming areas.
Philips Lumea Advanced
Body areas and attachments matter because the IPL hair removal device is designed to treat more than one area, including the face, body and bikini, as set out in the product title. The user can move between these regions by using the device's intended attachments for each area, which helps keep sessions structured. For the face, the attachment is suited to more targeted positioning on smaller zones, and the technique is different from wider body areas. For the body and bikini, coverage is broader, so spacing and placement are important to avoid missed spots. The overall strength is versatility across areas, though working on curves can affect access and how the attachment sits.
Comfort, Speed and Safety
Philips Lumea 9000 Series
Comfort, speed, and safety matter alongside hair removal results, and the IPL hair removal device is designed for home use. The device supports both corded and cordless use, which can reduce setup friction when switching between body and face. It comes with three attachments for body, face, and precision areas, allowing sessions to be managed more safely by using the appropriate head for each area. When using IPL, users should follow the on-skin method carefully, since skipping checks can lead to missed coverage or skin irritation.
Philips Lumea Advanced
The Philips is designed to balance comfort, session pace, and safe use across the face, body, and bikini areas. Each region has different skin sensitivity and coverage needs, so it supports separate handling approaches for face, body, and bikini. That means a consistent general routine can be kept while technique changes slightly between areas. For comfort, it emphasises steady contact and avoids rushing, since skipping prep can increase irritation. Session pace depends on the area size, with larger body zones typically taking longer than small facial spots. Safety is supported by using the correct attachment for each area and stopping if the skin reacts unexpectedly.
Who Is This IPL Device For?
Philips Lumea 9000 Series
The Philips Lumea 9000 Series is intended for people who want an at-home IPL hair removal option and prefer to manage the process themselves. It is designed for both corded and cordless use and includes attachments for the body, face and precision areas, which makes it suitable for treating different zones using the correct head. This can appeal to buyers who want flexible setup, whether they are working near a socket or moving around the room. At-home IPL is cosmetic and provides long-term hair reduction rather than permanent removal, and results depend on consistent use over time. It may be less suitable for people with sensitive skin, and IPL targets pigment in dark hair on light-to-medium skin, so it does not work on very dark skin or on light, grey, red or white hair.
Philips Lumea Advanced
This IPL hair removal device suits people who want to treat multiple areas with one system, since it is designed for the face, body and bikini regions. It fits users who prefer an all-in-one routine rather than separate tools, because it targets more than one body zone. It is best suited to those who are comfortable following an IPL schedule and checking skin suitability before use, as results vary by person. People seeking targeted, at-home hair reduction across the face, body and bikini areas may find it practical, while those who need hair reduction on a very limited area may feel it is more than they require.
Philips Lumea 9000 Series: pros
- Designed for body, face
- Cordless for easy handling
- Long-term hair reduction from home, cheaper than salon courses over time
Cons
- Only suits light-to-medium skin with dark hair - not dark skin or light/grey/red hair
- Gives long-term reduction, not instant or total permanent removal
- Needs a full course plus top-ups, and consistent use over weeks
Philips Lumea Advanced: pros
- Designed for body, face, bikini
- Long-term hair reduction from home, cheaper than salon courses over time
Cons
- Only suits light-to-medium skin with dark hair - not dark skin or light/grey/red hair
- Gives long-term reduction, not instant or total permanent removal
- Needs a full course plus top-ups, and consistent use over weeks
Our verdict
Our pick is the Philips Lumea 9000 Series (our score 8.1/10) - A practical ipl hair removal device for gradual, long-lasting hair reduction - used correctly and consistently. The Philips Lumea Advanced is still worth it if it is cheaper when you check, or if it better matches your specific needs.