Disclosure: The ViQure S-LD device was gifted to me for review. All opinions are my own, and this review will be updated as I continue testing the device. I may also earn from other affiliate links, at no extra cost to you. Thank you for supporting Barefoot Basil! Full Affiliate Disclosure

I always thought how great it would be to not have to shave or worry about an ingrown hair. I had considered laser treatments, but they seem to be expensive, painful, and still require maintenance. Then perimenopause arrived, and hair started appearing in places it never had before, which made the whole shaving routine even more annoying. So I was thrilled to receive a ViQure S-LD device in the post, and I can’t wait to test it and see the results.

Quick Verdict

After my first treatment, the ViQure S-LD stands out from many home hair removal devices because it uses near-infrared S-LD technology rather than traditional IPL. The device feels premium, is easy to use, and the cooling feature makes treatments surprisingly comfortable. That said, it’s too early to judge effectiveness, and long-term hair reduction will be the real test.I will keep updating this article with the results.

Pros

Easy to use
Comfortable cooling technology
Suitable even for sensitive areas like the bikini line and armpits
Premium build quality
Fast treatment sessions
A newer alternative to traditional IPL
Added skin rejuvenation mode

Cons

Limited independent clinical evidence
Premium price point ( although I do have a $100 off code for Barefoot Basil readers)
It is not cordless and comes with a US plug only, so you’ll need a converter if you’re in Europe or the UK
It might not be able to tackle light chin hair, though I still want to test this
For the best results, you need to use it with a conductive gel that isn’t included

ViQure S-LD Hair Removal Device

Use an exclusive Barefoot Basil reader discount code if you buy through the button below: Barefoot100 ($100 OFF for S-LD).

Why I Wanted to Test It

As someone interested in science-backed wellness technology, I was curious about ViQure’s claims that its S-LD technology offers advantages over traditional IPL devices.

I hadn’t previously used a home hair removal device, so this is a genuine beginner’s perspective. Although I don’t mind shaving, it does get annoying, especially when travelling, so I wanted to try a home hair removal device for longer-lasting results.

About the ViQure Brand

When I think of at-home hair removal, brands like Braun or Philips come to mind, so when I heard of ViQure, I was intrigued, as I’d honestly never come across them before.

ViQure was founded by a woman named Anna, who has PCOS and struggled with excess hair growth in areas she felt self-conscious about. Tired of constant shaving, she set out to bring salon-grade beauty technology into the home.

ViQure also sells skincare and body-care devices, from red light therapy masks and helmets to microneedling and body sculpting tools.

ViQure has warehouses in the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, Germany, Australia, and Hong Kong, which allows for free, duty-free shipping.

ViQure S-LD Hair Removal Device Unboxing Experience

Packaging quality

The box feels very premium, with a velvet-lined finish and beautifully designed compartments: the handset, protective glasses, storing bag, and a razor sit on top, with the cord and charging station below.

The handset itself is beautifully designed and reminds me of a ray gun from Star Trek (in the most complimentary, geeky way). It’s very easy to hold and doesn’t feel heavy or awkward.

User Manual

Although it’s fairly straightforward, I do feel the manual lacks some detail. I had a few questions about the skin rejuvenation mode, and it took me a while to work out that you switch to it by clicking a button twice, after which “SR” lights up on the screen. This isn’t shown in the manual, so I accidentally ended up using this setting instead of hair removal on some areas. That was user error, but I do wish the skin rejuvenation feature had been explained in more detail, ideally with screenshots showing how it appears on the device.

Contents of the box

Hair Removal Device x1
Storage bag x 1
Charger x1
Razor x1
Goggles x1
User Manual x1

Charging Unit

This device is powerful and needs a fairly large charging station. What I like is that the cable is very long, so your movements aren’t restricted. I suppose the charger that needs to be plugged in makes this device so powerful.

Protective Eyewear

The device includes foldable eye protection that genuinely looks cool, like a pair of classic sunglasses that fold up. I’d happily wear them as actual sunglasses, as they look a little like classic Ray-Bans.

The box also includes a razor, since the device works best on freshly shaved skin.

ViQure S-LD device specifications:

Input power: 100W

Wavelength: 780-850 nm

Energy density: 9.5 to 25 j/cm2 ( depending on the setting)

Cooling temperature: 0 to 10 Celsius

Light source: NIR LED

Treatment area: 8 x 8 mm

Setup and First Use

Skin preparation

There’s a little skin prep before you start, but it’s really straightforward. You need clean, freshly shaved skin, and you choose an intensity level to suit the area you’re treating. The instructions say to use the device with ultrasound gel, though I tried it without on this first go.

First treatment experience

For my first test, I tried the device on my lower legs, face, armpits, and even the bikini area. I was a bit nervous about the armpits and bikini, expecting it to hurt and irritate the skin, but to my surprise, it wasn’t nearly as painful as I thought it would be.

On less sensitive areas like my legs, I went straight to a full-blast level 5 and didn’t find it painful at all. For the armpits, bikini, and face, I experimented with lower levels and worked up to level 3 with very little discomfort. As it was my first time, I didn’t want to overdo it with higher levels in case it left my skin sensitive afterwards. Next time, I’ll be a bit more precise and try working all the way up to levels 4 and 5, even in sensitive areas.

You can also choose a single pulse mode for more sensitive areas, or continuous mode for larger, less sensitive areas.

While using the device, there were no smells or strange sensations, just a gentle zapping feeling now and then. It was very easy to use, and although it isn’t cordless, the cord is so long that it didn’t bother me at all.

What Is S-LD Technology, and How Is It Different From IPL?

If you’ve shopped for at-home hair removal before, you’ve probably seen “IPL” everywhere. “S-LD” is a newer hair removal technology, so let me try to explain simply.

S-LD is ViQure’s own term, and it stands for “super light-emitting diode”. The FDA paperwork describes the light source as a diode LED, so S-LD is a near-infrared LED.

The easiest way to picture the difference is to think of three kinds of light:

IPL is like a floodlight. It fires a broad mix of wavelengths in one flash. It works, and it’s the most common home technology, but a lot of that light is scattered, and not all of it is useful for hair removal, as some energy is wasted.
A laser is very concentrated. A single, tightly focused wavelength aimed straight at the follicle. It’s the most precise, which is why salons use it, but it can also be more painful and slower over large areas.
S-LD sits in between, like a focused panel light. It uses a narrow band of near-infrared light (780-850nm) delivered evenly across a flat, cooled panel. So it’s more targeted than IPL and gentler on the skin than laser.

Is the ViQure S-LD Hair Removal Device Better Than IPL Devices?

In theory, yes, but due to it being a new technology for hair removal, we do not have studies proving it.

What is amazing about the S-LD is comfort and gentleness. Instead of IPL’s broad, scattered burst of light, it uses a narrow near-infrared band (780-850nm) delivered through a flat, cooled panel. In practice, that means even, hot-spot-free flashes that are easy on the skin, and because that wavelength sits deeper and is less drawn to surface pigment, it’s potentially kinder to a wider range of skin tones than IPL.

I also like that it has a built-in safety sensor and only fires on full skin contact.

There’s no lamp to replace, as there is with IPL, though you do need to use gel for the best results.

ViQure states impressive results for its device, but there’s no published clinical study for it yet, so for now, those figures are the brand’s own claims rather than independently verified ones, which is worth knowing as you set expectations. IPL devices are more established and have more data behind their claims.

One thing that’s true for both: every light-based device, IPL, and this one included, works by targeting the pigment in your hair. If your hair is light, grey, red, or very fine, as a lot of hormonal facial hair tends to be, neither will do much, and electrolysis is the route that actually works.

So my honest take: if you want a gentler, more comfortable device that may suit a wider range of skin tones, the ViQure S-LD is a good option for you.

Regarding the long-term results, I can’t tell as I am still testing the device, but I will be updating this review with my personal results.

Skin Rejuvenation Setting

ViQure also markets the device for skin rejuvenation benefits, which is a unique feature for a hair removal device. Near-infrared light has been studied for collagen production and photobiomodulation, but dedicated LED masks remain my preferred option for facial anti-ageing. I currently use the Project E Beauty LumaLux Face Pro and the Nanoleaf LED Mask, both of which are designed specifically for skin rejuvenation.

At this stage, I see any skin benefits from the ViQure as a bonus rather than the main reason to buy it. If you don’t already own a dedicated skin rejuvenation device, this is a nice addition to your hair removal routine, though you’ll need to spend a bit more time per session.

The instructions say to use only levels 1 to 2 (although there are 5 levels available) for 20-minute treatments, with 7-day intervals between sessions. So it’s quite a different way of treating the skin. As I already use a red light mask, I don’t want to overdo it on my face, but I’m wondering whether the neck and decolletage might be good areas to treat instead.

Do I Need to Use Conductive Gel With the ViQure S-LD Hair Removal Device?

A clear coupling or cooling gel does two jobs for any light or laser device.

First, it reduces the light that reflects off the air-to-skin boundary, so more energy gets into the skin instead of bouncing off.
Second, it provides thermal buffering: it sits between the applicator window and your skin and helps dissipate heat, which lowers the risk of surface burns.

At up to 25 J/cm², that cooling layer is important. Using it dry means more reflection (less effective) and less heat protection (higher burn risk), which is why the instruction exists.

The device comes without any gel, and the ViQure team clarified that you can use the device without the gel. I will order some gel for my second treatment as I do understand its needs.

Is It Painful?

It depends on a few factors: the level you select (the higher the level, the more it stings), the area treated (the bikini line and armpits will always be more sensitive than legs or arms), and your own pain threshold.

For me, it was more uncomfortable than painful. The cooling function helps a lot, so you don’t feel too much heat, although after about 5 minutes of use, I did switch it off as it became a bit too warm for my liking.

The sensation is like being lightly snapped with a small rubber band, so I think it’s well worth it for the results. I was cautious to begin with, and I’d recommend you do the same: start on the lower settings, especially for sensitive areas, and if it feels manageable, work your way up.

I’d rate the pain maybe 5 out of 10 on sensitive areas if waxing or epilating were a 10, and that’s without using the gel. I only found it slightly uncomfortable on my bikini area after a while, and that was the most sensitive spot I treated. As mentioned, I used lower settings on the sensitive areas and will increase them next time.

After the treatment, the skin feels a bit sore, but not painful, and I did not have any swelling or redness in any areas I have treated.

How Often Should I Use It, and When Should I Expect Results?

I’m focusing on the main feature here, hair removal. As I’m still testing the device and have only used it once, I’ll be following the brand’s guidelines and updating you as I go.

According to ViQure, if you use the proper energy level and enough shots on the target area (I presume you have to be thorough, and use the gel, which I don’t have yet), you should see results after a single session, with very visible results after three sessions. They provide a full table of treatment areas, levels and skin tones, so do read the instructions carefully before you start.

Treatment course recommendations also vary by area. The areas with the most hair, like the underarms and bikini line, should be re-treated every 20 to 30 days, and everywhere else every 40 to 60 days. According to ViQure, after the full course of 4 to 6 treatments, hair should either stop growing completely or regrow much lighter and thinner, with results lasting one to two years.

What I’ll Be Tracking

Over the next 12 weeks, I’ll monitor:

Hair regrowth speed
Hair thickness
Hair density
Skin irritation
Comfort level
Any visible skin changes

I’m not sure how successful my results from this first treatment will be, since I didn’t have the gel and accidentally used the skin rejuvenation setting on some areas, but I am very excited to see the progress.

My First Impression Score

Design: 10/10
Ease of Use: 9/10
Comfort: 9/10
Features: 10/10
Price: 8/10
Overall First Impression: 9.2/10

Who Should Buy the ViQure S-LD Hair Removal Device?

Buy it if:

You like trying the newest technology
If you love laser hair removal in salons, but find it too painful or too expensive
You want a hair removal method that’s less painful than an IPL device, and you could see longer-lasting results more quickly.
You want a device built to last
You want long-lasting results