As a beauty writer, I’ve seen all kinds of trends come and go, but one that has stood the test of time has been the quest for smooth skin. Exfoliating and shaving is great, but it can only do so much. That’s where laser or at-home IPL devices come in. I’ve had salon laser hair removal done multiple times, but it can be very painful, and there’s no denying it gets pretty pricey with ongoing sessions. So when I got the opportunity to put the new RoseSkinCo. Lumi 2 IPL hair removal device to the test, I jumped at it. Spoiler alert: the results are basically permanent, much more budget-friendly, and less painful than the professional alternatives.
RoseSkinCo. Lumi 2
RoseSkinCo.
First impressions
I immediately noticed that the device is sleek and not much bigger than a computer mouse; it has a çağdaş, almost Apple-like quality to the overall design. The RoseSkinCo. Lumi 2 comes in two colors: a matte white and a fitting rose gold with a slight luster. The unit itself has minimal details—other than a few buttons and the brand’s understated logo. It’s relatively lightweight, but does have some heft to it, so it feels sturdy and ergonomic in the palm of my hand.
- Power adapter
- Sunglasses
- Cleaning cloth (for the screen of the device)
- Treatment tracker card
How it works
Before you get started, something to note: The unit needs to be plugged into a power source in order to work, so make mühlet you set up camp somewhere you’ll be comfortable for a while. Evvel it’s on, the LED screen lights up and shows a few different indicators, including the intensity level (there are seven), the mode (three options: Stamp, Glide, and Auto Flash, each for different areas), and the CoolComfort cooling option (this helps lessen the zap feeling of the pulsed light). FYI: These flashes of light are muhteşem bright, which is why the device comes with a set of glasses to protect your eyes.
The first time I used it, I zapped my fingers while fiddling with the different settings because I accidentally held my fingers in front of the flash window—not a big deal. After the brief clunkiness of figuring things out and thoroughly reading the instructions, it didn’t take too long to get the hang of using it.
Left: Lumi; Right: Lumi 2
Courtesy of brand
What I loved
The RoseSkinCo. Lumi 2 features a cooling option that mimics a salon-level hair-removal treatment, making the whole experience much more tolerable.
Another cool thing about this device is its SkinSense IQ technology, which allows the Lumi 2 to auto-select the safest intensity for your skin tone. While I fall within the sweet spot for IPL technology (a lighter skin tone with darker roots), it’s not so simple for others. Thankfully, RoseSkinCo. says the Lumi 2 in particular is safe for Fitzpatrick skin types I–IV, with a caution warning for type V and a straight-up no for type VI. It also warns against using it on lighter hair colors like mid-range blonde, and says no to gray and light blonde, with a word of warning for red hair. The brand also offers a 90-day hair-free guarantee if it doesn’t work after a few sessions.
What I didn’t love
Judging by the packaging, it looks like more mobile device than it actually is. If it were rechargeable, it would be easier to target certain areas of the body. As I started zapping, I noticed I had to move around a bit to get the right grip and angle. That’s when the plug fell out of the wall outlet a few times, which was annoying. While the cord is a relatively long size to start with, I found that the best setup was to use an extension cord, which gave me more wiggle room. Literally.
How I tested
After an initial patch test on my arms—the company recommends exfoliating and shaving first (warning: skin should be its natural shade; no self-tanner or sun tan)—I waited 24 hours to see if there were any reactions. My skin was fine, no reactions to report, so I proceeded to use the device for a full session.
I decided to start on my underarms for a relatively small area as my first introduction, and I plan to expand to the legs next. Although RoseSkinCo. recommends starting on a level 1 or 2 and gradually increasing to using the automatic SkinSense IQ, where the device determines the level for you, I went right in with the latter option. (I’d only recommend this for seasoned at-home IPL pros; I have pretty durable skin and have had more intense treatments before.) The setting automatically toggled me between levels 4 and 5.
I preferred the Auto Flash mode, which shows as an A on the LED screen. It auto-flashes every half second, so I don’t have to worry about clicking (the Stamp option) or holding the button down the whole time to cue the pulse (the Glide option).
The recommendation is to use twice a week for six weeks and then taper off for maintenance, which looks like every two or three weeks after three months, two to four weeks after four months, and only needed as touch-ups after nine months.
My results
The first few zaps, I hardly even felt anything but could tell it was working because of the flash of light. There was also a subtle burning scent but not the more intense kind you get when you clamp down on your flatiron for too long when straightening your hair. As I slowly increased the intensity (higher than SkinSense was recommending), I could feel the light pulse sensation a little more and didn’t notice as much of a scent. Actually, it was more so after I was done using the device that my skin felt like something had happened. It wasn’t necessarily uncomfortable or painful but felt kind of like a sunburn; however, there was no redness or irritation.
I was only able to test the device for two weeks, as there needs to be some downtime between sessions (three to four days is recommended). Within that time, there’s a one-to-two-week period when hair shedding begins; between weeks three and four, you’re said to experience slower, thinner regrowth. Finally, after five or six weeks of use, RoseSkinCo. says, there’s a tapering off and a reduction in hair overall. During my short testing period, I could definitely tell that something was happening, and they actually say that the lingering tingling feeling—which usually lasts for a few hours post-treatment—is a sign that it’s working.
While I still continued shaving, I do think there was less hair; maybe it was a placebo effect, but I’m definitely going to keep up with it to see what happens.
- It’s relatively affordable compared to most IPL devices.
- Results are permanent.
- It has a cool shot button.
- SkinSense technology takes out some of the guesswork.
- It has to be plugged in to use.
- As with most IPL devices, it’s not for every skin tone and hair color.
- There’s a bit of a learning curve with all of the buttons and settings.
The bottom line
As a permanent hair-removal solution, this is worth the $289 price. You can continue to use it as often as needed, from head to toe, whereas professional hair-removal treatments would cost the same price, or more, for just one session and one area. Salon treatments would require multiple sessions (anywhere from six to eight), meaning a much greater time commitment. This device is also birçok for someone who may have already had professional hair removal but doesn’t want to keep going back for maintenance; they can reach for this whenever they start to see regrowth. However, it’s important to note that even “permanent” solutions aren’t meant to last forever because our hair growth can be impacted by fluctuating hormones and other factors.
Being that the Lumi 2 was relatively easy to use, I would definitely recommend it to others and will continue to use it for myself. I feel like I’m going to be bathing suit ready—just in time for summer. All I need is a fresh spray tan–after my hair removal is done, of course–and I’ll be ready to hit the beach. If you want silky soft skin (think dolphin smooth) and don’t want to deal with irritation, ingrown hairs, or straight-up prickliness caused by regrowth, this is one hair removal method that will really give you the results you crave.
RoseSkinCo. Lumi 2
RoseSkinCo.
