Philips Beauty Set 9900: pain-free epilation without ingrown hairs?
27.5.2026
Translation: Elicia Payne
Pictures: Anna Sandner
The Philips Beauty Set 9900 strives to be an all-rounder: an epilator, a facial care device, a shaver, and more. Do the different attachments really reduce ingrown hairs, and is epilation with the ProGuide attachment, wet and dry function and ceramic tweezers actually less painful? I gave it a go.
Epilating has one major advantage: compared to shaving, the skin stays hair-free for much longer afterward. But epilation is painful, and it’s not uncommon for ingrown hairs to develop afterward. Philips aims to tackle these issues with the Beauty Set 9900. I have rather sensitive skin and tested the set, which includes an epilator, a razor and a variety of attachments, both in dry and wet mode.
Let’s get started – all the gear, no idea
The set includes the epilator (the main unit), a body exfoliating brush, a smaller facial cleansing brush, an LED skin care attachment, the ProGuide attachment and a separate mini facial hair remover. Now that I’ve figured out what each part does, I’m keen to give it a go. But where do I begin exactly? Exfoliate first, then epilate? Or the other way around? Neither the cryptic paper manual nor the support videos provide any clarification on this point.
The epilator: what are the benefits of the wet and dry function, ceramic tweezers and ProGuide attachment?
The key part of the set is the epilator. Its main advantage is the wet and dry function – the device can get wet, so you can use it in the shower. This makes it easier to fit in your routine, and epilating under warm water feels less painful. Warm water relaxes the skin and makes plucking the hairs more bearable. The level of pain is obviously subjective; I can only speak from my own experience, but I found that using it wet was more comfortable.
Philips promises a less painful experience thanks to the ProGuide attachment. The attachment optimises the epilation angle to 75 degrees and pulls the skin taut. For fine hairs, you also have the option of using ceramic tweezers and the built-in light. At least, that’s the theory.
32 ceramic tweezers with built-in lighting
The built-in light actually makes it easier to see light-coloured and fine hairs. A definite plus. However, I often have to go over the same spot several times before I remove them all. The advantage of having ceramic tweezers isn’t as clear. It stings, just like it does when you pull out a hair. Compared to a cheaper epilator, the pain was slightly less – though this is less likely due to the ceramic tweezers than to the wet application and the high number of tweezers. The device features 32 tweezers, significantly more than entry-level models, which often have only 20 or fewer. This makes the process faster. And those who know it’ll be over soon, will find it easier to bear.
Compared to cheaper models, this epilator is significantly quieter. Still, it’s loud enough to prevent you from feeling relaxed. Cleaning is quick and easy: just rinse the brushes briefly and remove any hair from the epilator and razor from time to time. It takes no more than two minutes.
ProGuide attachment
I didn’t use the ProGuide attachment for long. I understand the theory, but in practice, it makes the epilator harder for me to handle. It doesn’t sit properly in a lot of areas; it wobbles and gets in the way. There was no noticeable difference in either the pain or the result. I’d rather pull the skin taut with my hand because that provides more relief.
I tested it on my lower and upper legs. I also briefly tried it on my bikini line and underarms. What can I say? It was somewhat bearable – more so with the wet treatment than without it. But it would take too much effort for me to use it regularly.
The brushes: the «Aha» moment
At first, I didn’t think much of the brushes. They’re designed to reduce the second major problem associated with epilation: ingrown hair and the resulting skin problems and inflammation. It’d be great if it worked. I thought the brushes were more like the typical extras that come with a set – the kind meant to enhance the overall look but end up unused in the closet. But right from the first use, my preconceptions were pushed aside and I was immediately won over by the pleasant exfoliating effect of its incredibly soft bristles. Now it’s starting to feel a little like a spa after all.
Whether they really do much to prevent ingrown hairs remains to be seen. For comparison, on the one leg I only epilated, while on the other leg I also used the exfoliating brush before and after. After two weeks, the latter fared slightly better. Unfortunately, the brushes weren’t able to solve the problem completely. In any case, you’d need a longer observation period to get any hard core evidence of efficacy and more than one test subject.
Still, the soft brush heads are definitely worth it as a wellness bonus. Instead of just being washed, my face now gets to enjoy this gentle exfoliating massage every now and then.
SkinLED: high effort, low results
The next tool in the set designed to improve my skin is the SkinLED attachment. It uses red light, which, according to the manufacturer, is designed to stimulate collagen production and improve the appearance of the skin. Philips recommends using it daily without any skincare products.
I stuck with it consistently for a week – five minutes a day – and then stopped: I didn’t see any visible results, and it was hard to justify the time it took every day. My short test isn’t enough to determine whether red light is effective when used consistently over a longer period of time. In any case, the scientific evidence for at-home LED devices is still limited.
I’d buy the smallest part from the set
What surprised me the most was the separate mini facial hair remover. For fine hairs on the upper lip or chin, this small device is the simplest solution in the entire set. No setup, no hassle – just use it quickly and you’re done.
In a nutshell
Lots of parts, many useful, some unnecessary
The Philips Beauty Set 9900 combines a wet and dry epilator with several attachments for the body and face. The epilator is good, but it often takes several attempts to achieve a clean result. What compliments it particularly well are the extremely soft brush heads for exfoliating the skin on the legs and face, as well as the handy facial hair remover.
The ProGuide attachment is a good idea, but it’s hardly any help. Although the SkinLED is easy to use, I couldn’t see any noticeable difference. Overall, there’s a lot to play with in the set and it delivers solid performance. If you’re looking for a reliable wet and dry epilator with handy features, you’ve come to the right place. If you’re hoping this will solve the problem of painful treatments and ingrown hairs once and for all, I’m afraid I have to lower your expectations.
Pro
- Wet function is noticeably more comfortable than dry mode
- 32 ceramic tweezers speed up the process
- Light also helps you see fine hairs
- Body and facial exfoliating brush is very pleasant
- Mini facial hair remover is a handy addition
Contra
- Several passes needed for optimal results
- ProGuide attachment offers little added value
- SkinLED has no visible short-term effect
Header image: Anna Sandner
Anna Sandner
Senior Editor
Anna.Sandner@galaxus.deScience editor and biologist. I love animals and am fascinated by plants, their abilities and everything you can do with them. That's why my favourite place is always the outdoors - somewhere in nature, preferably in my wild garden.
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