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.