How often to use IPL at home: A guide to IPL cleaning and maintenance

Using IPL as the ultimate hair removal method is becoming increasingly popular thanks to its targeted technique leading to more long-lasting results. But do you know how to clean Philips Lumea IPL devices? To guarantee optimum results and keep your device working properly, keeping your IPL device clean is crucial.

If you own an IPL device like the Philips Lumea, cleaning is easier than you might think. Here, we will help you maximise your device’s longevity and maintain hygiene with facts, tips, and tricks for how to clean an IPL machine, including:

• Why cleaning Philips Lumea and other IPL devices is so important.
• The risks of improper or infrequent IPL and Philips Lumea cleaning.
• Your step-by-step guide to how to clean IPL devices.
• Your questions answered: A guide for how to use an IPL device for optimal performance.

So, whether you’re wondering how often to use IPL at home or how to clean an IPL device read on for your go-to guide to taking the best care of your IPL device, so it can handle your hair removal with ease.

Why cleaning Philips Lumea and other IPL devices is so important

Here’s why it’s important to learn how to clean an IPL machine:

• Cleaning Philips Lumea and other IPL devices after use will ensure they are ready for the next application.
• Learning how to clean Philips Lumea and other IPL devices ensures you’re maintaining hygienic use of the device, especially as the device can be used from your face to your intimate areas.
• Cleaning your IPL device helps remove dirt and finger smudges, which could affect its performance.
• Cleaning Philips Lumea and other IPL device’s filter glass before and after use will help you extend the life of your device and ensure it works properly.

The risks of improper or infrequent IPL and Philips Lumea cleaning

The main risks of improper or infrequent IPL and Philips Lumea cleaning include:

• Reduced effectiveness: You want to get optimum, long-term results from your device, and a dirty device will not perform as well.
• Decreased lifespan: On average an IPL device will last around 15 years, but neglecting maintenance will reduce this significantly.
• Potential malfunctions: Not only could this mean you can’t finish your treatment, but it could potentially cause irritation or damage to your skin.
  

How to clean an IPL device: A 5-step guide

To maximise your device’s longevity and maintain hygiene, it’s important to know the proper method for how to clean a Philips Lumea or other IPL device. Here is our simple 5-step guide for how to clean an IPL machine:¹

• Turn off and cool your device.

Before cleaning your device, turn it off, unplug it, and allow it to cool.

• Remove attachments.

Many IPL devices offer interchangeable attachments, which should be removed to allow you to clean both the attachments and the handset.

• Clean the device and attachments.

Use a damp, clean, microfibre cloth to wipe clean each part of your IPL device, including:

• The light exit window.
• The outside surface of the attachments.
• The reflector inside the attachments.
• The glass inside the attachments.

• Don’t use chemicals or abrasive materials.

To avoid damaging your IPL device and attachments, you should never use harsh chemicals or abrasive materials when cleaning your device.

• Allow your device to dry.

You should ensure your device is fully dry before reassembling and using it for further IPL treatments.

Your questions answered: A guide for how to use an IPL device properly

Now you know how to clean your Lumea, Philips has the answers to all your FAQs about how to use an IPL device.

1. How often should I use an at-home IPL device?
   To achieve optimum results, you should maintain a regular treatment plan using your IPL device. For the first three months, aim to repeat your IPL treatment every fortnight. With a consistent routine, you will start to see results and can look forward to up to 6 months of smooth, hair-free skin after 12 treatments.**
   Top tip: Always read the manufacturer’s guidelines for how often to use IPL at home, and do not exceed the maximum use advice.
   
2. Does IPL offer long-lasting results?
   IPL targets and damages hair follicles and over time helps to prevent hair regrowth meaning it offers truly long-lasting results. When choosing your device, opt for a high-quality product such as the Philips Lumea IPL, which offers up to 92% hair reduction in just three treatments* and six months of ingrown hair-free smooth skin after 12 treatments.**
   
3. How often should I be following these steps for cleaning my Philips Lumea?
   The best practice to ensure your device’s longevity and maintain good hygiene is to clean your device after every use.
   
4. How do I use my IPL device?
   There are 5 simple steps for how to use an IPL device:²
   1. 24 hours before your IPL treatment, shave, epilate or wax the area to remove the hair.
   2. Check the IPL device manual and select the correct setting for your skin tone.
   3. Turn on your device and wait for it to be ready. On the Philips Lumea, a ‘ready to flash’ light will turn on when the device is prepared for use.
   4. Press the ‘flash’ button.
   5. Now it’s time to move to the next spot from which you want to remove hair.
   
5. How long do IPL treatments take?
   Now you know how to use IPL devices, you’re probably wondering how long each treatment will take. On average, IPL treatments take 20-30 minutes, although the time will depend on the size of the area and how much hair you have to remove.
   
6. Is IPL hair removal safe for sensitive skin?
   Yes!³ IPL is a targeted pulse of light that heats the hair follicle for a brief moment. Unlike traditional hair removal methods like shaving and waxing, you don't treat the same area of skin multiple times in a row, reducing the risk of irritation to your skin.
   Top tip: If you’re worried about sensitive skin, check out our guide to gentle hair removal.

From answering frequently asked questions about how to use an IPL device to a simple step-by-step guide for how to clean IPL devices like the Philips Lumea, this is the ultimate IPL guide. With all the information you need right here you can ensure your device’s longevity and maintain hygiene for optimum hair removal results.

If you’ve been taking good care of your device and it’s still not working quite right, check out our article to troubleshoot problems with your device.

* When following the treatment schedule, measured on legs, individual results may vary
** Median hair reduction on legs: 78% after 12 treatments