The Philips Lumea 9900 Pro is the standout pick in a new editor-tested round-up of hair-removal products, and the numbers behind it explain why. According to Philips, the device delivers greater than 80% hair reduction after just two treatments, backed by 25 years of IPL research.
The Philips Lumea 9900 Pro IPL Hair Removal Device is priced at $700 and sits at the top of the list for good reason. It is cordless, handheld, and uses artificial intelligence to guide users through each session in real time, including audio cues that direct where to point and click. A companion app tracks treatment history and sends reminders when the next session is due.
What the SmartSkin Sensor Actually Does in the Philips Lumea 9900 Pro Review
The technology behind the results is the SmartSkin Sensor, which Philips says detects an individual’s skin tone and automatically selects the optimal light settings for personalised treatment. That kind of adaptive calibration has historically been the preserve of professional clinic equipment, and it is central to the claim of greater than 80% hair reduction after just two treatments. The kit ships with four attachments covering the body, face, bikini area and armpits.
Treatment follows a structured two-phase programme. For the first seven weeks, users apply the device every two weeks. After that, the maintenance phase requires use only every four weeks. Jessica Harrington, who reviewed the device, put it bluntly: ‘I’ve tried my fair share of at-home IPL devices and none have been as easy to use as this one. The device literally talks to you, providing real-time audio guidance while you’re using it. I’ve tested it everywhere, from my face to my arms and legs. I love how fast the treatments are and that there’s no cord to wrestle with.’
The Rest of the Editor-Approved Line-Up
For those who prefer waxing, the Flamingo Pubic Hair Wax Kit ($12, available at Target) gets an endorsement on the grounds of its grip: each strip needs only one pull per section, which cuts down on the usual ordeal considerably. One editor’s account of pulling it off successfully under less-than-ideal conditions did little to undermine the recommendation.
Depilatory creams also feature. The Nair Body Cream Hair Remover with Soothing Aloe and Water Lily ($9) works in under 10 minutes and, in the words of one editor, removed every trace of leg hair while leaving skin hydrated enough to skip moisturiser entirely. The Nair Prep and Smooth Face Hair Remover ($10), meanwhile, targets facial fuzz with a circular applicator designed to reach the upper lip cleanly without fingers. Both are available at Target and Amazon.
On razors, the round-up covers four distinct types. The Gillette Venus Extra Smooth Razor Set ($23) ships with a metal handle and four interchangeable heads, each carrying five blades and two moisture bars. The Hanni Weighted Razor ($42) takes a different approach: a single-blade, double-edged safety design, weighted to reduce the pressure a user needs to apply. One editor reported no ingrown hairs and no razor burn, and flagged the blade-replacement system (twist the base, drop it in the bin) as the standout practical advantage.
The Schick Intuition Sensitive Care Moisturising Razor ($14), which wraps a cream bar directly around the blades, earns its place as the pick for anyone who wants to eliminate shaving cream from the routine altogether. One editor has used it for over a decade, which is as close to a long-term endorsement as a product round-up can offer. All three razor options are available at Amazon.
For facial hair specifically, the Billie Dermaplaning Starter Kit ($14) and the Tweezerman Smooth Finish Facial Hair Remover ($20) round out the selection. The Billie kit’s micro-guards protect the skin during the blade’s pass across the cheeks, chin and forehead, simultaneously providing light exfoliation. The Tweezerman tool uses a flexible coil spring to pluck hair from the root, and editors note it takes a short adjustment period before it becomes intuitive, but works well on fine hairs around the nose.
The full range sits across price points from $9 to $700, covering every major method of hair removal currently available for home use. For anyone weighing the Philips Lumea 9900 Pro specifically, Philips notes the 25-year research base behind the device’s clinically proven results, with the SmartSkin Sensor doing the calibration work that used to require a trained technician.