ViQure S-LD: Timelines, Hacks, and Real Results
A data-backed breakdown for maximizing hair reduction using the ViQure S-LD.
In my technical deep-dive of the ViQure S-LD, I broke down the science of why this device is a game-changer for brown skin (Fitzpatrick IV and V). I have been using this device consistently for about 4 treatments, and so far I have experienced a ~70% reduction in growth. This article moves from the “how it works” to my real-world experience for achieving permanent hair reduction.
Disclosure: This review began as a personal mission to find a photoepilation device that actually worked for my skin tone. I purchased the ViQure S-LD with my own money and posted my experience on Reddit. Parts of this article are borrowed from that original Reddit post and you can still find it here. ViQure spotted my review and invited me to join their affiliate program because they valued the level of detail I provided and my “science-first” approach. I now earn a commission if you choose to use the links in this post (at no extra cost to you). Additionally, as an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. However, this remains an unsponsored account of my journey.
Interested in my technical deep-dive of the ViQure S-LD? Find it here.
Table of Contents
Device Compatibility
*Reference ViQure’s website and user manual for complete list of contraindications.
Procedure & Tips for Maximizing Results
1. Pre-Treatment
Shaving
Start by shaving the treatment area a few hours up to a day before treatment.
The Why: Photoepilation works because light emitted by the device converts to heat as it hits the hair; this heat is what kills the hair root. If too much hair is visible above the skin, the energy is absorbed at the surface, singeing the hair and potentially burning your skin. Shaving ensures that the heat is conducted down the hair shaft directly to the follicle’s hair-producing cells.
Pro Tip: Timing is everything. Match your shaving schedule to your hair thickness to balance comfort and results:
For Thick Hair (Early Stages of Treatment): Shave ~2–3 hours before treatment. Thicker hair absorbs more heat; shaving it flush with the skin reduces pain during early treatments.
For Thin Hair (Later Stages of Treatment): Shave ~a day before treatment. Letting fine hairs grow until they just peak out gives the light a slightly larger “target”, ensuring enough heat reaches the follicle to finish the job.
Important: DO NOT wax, epilate, or pluck the hair in the treatment area. If there is no hair in the follicle, the energy has nothing to heat up, and your session will not be effective.
Optional Hack: Sectioning and Covering Up Moles
When treating larger areas, I use a white Kohl eyeliner to “white out” moles and draw a grid on my skin to easily track areas I’ve treated.
The Why: Moles are highly concentrated clusters of melanin that pose a risk of burns if you go over them with a photoepilation device. By covering a mole in white pigment, you create a reflective shield that bounces the beam away from the sensitive pigment, allowing you to safely treat the hair immediately surrounding the mole.
Important: Do not use “nude” or “shimmer” pencils. Nude pencils often contain iron oxides that absorb heat, and shimmery pencils can contain mica which can create light scattering. It must be flat, matte white Kohl.
What I used: e.l.f. Smoky Kohl Eyeliner Pencil, WHITE (get it on Amazon)
Gel Application
Ensure the treatment area is clean, dry, and free from any topical oils, lotions, or creams. Apply a layer of clear, water-soluble ultrasound gel.
The Why: Light tends to scatter and reflect away when it goes from air to skin. Ultrasound gel bridges that gap, eliminating the air and ensuring the light travels in a focused path into the follicle. You can read more about the physics here.
Important: Ensure your ultrasound gel is clear and water-soluble.
Avoid Tinted Gels: Dyes can absorb light energy and heat up, increasing the risk of burns.
Choose a Water-Soluble Gel: Oil-based gels can trap heat, increasing burn risk, while silicone-based gels can leave behind residues that may eventually degrade the treatment window’s performance.
My pick for small treatment areas: Aquasonic Clear Ultrasound Gel, 8.5oz (get it on Amazon)
My pick for full-body treatment: Aquasonic Clear Ultrasound Gel, 5L container (get it on Amazon)
Patch Test
Every new treatment area needs a patch test prior to treatment because skin sensitivity can vary wildly between body parts. Apply gel, start at Level 1, and pulse. Increase the level until you feel a warm “snap” or sting. It should feel uncomfortable but not unbearable. Wait 24–48 hours and look for signs of adverse reactions such as blistering.
2. Treatment Procedure
Eye Protection
Always wear the safety glasses provided with the device.
The Why: The S-LD operates in the 780nm–850nm (NIR) range, which poses a risk of eye injury.
Treatment Level: Finding the Threshold
Perform your treatment at the level established during your patch test, but be prepared to adjust. If the pain is sharp, turn the level down immediately. Conversely, if the treatment doesn’t hurt at all, turn the device up by one level.
The Why: For permanent results, the device energy must be high enough to cause irreversible thermal damage to the hair root. If the energy is too low, you may “stun” the hair and cause it to shed, but the follicle will remain healthy enough to regrow. Results vary by individual, but the setting required to reach the thermal threshold follows this general logic:
Thicker and darker hair → more heat absorbed → faster results
Shallow root depth → heat is able to reach the root quickly → faster results
Pale skin tone → less heat is absorbed by skin → faster results
The “Painless” Myth: Most companies market “painless” treatments, but this isn’t realistic. It should feel intense, like a hot rubber band snap, but never unbearable.
Pro Tip: As your hair thins over several sessions, you will find you need to increase the power level to continue seeing results.
Scanning vs. Single-Shot Mode
The ViQure S-LD has two operating modes:
Scanning Mode (Levels 1-3): In this mode, the device flashes automatically as you hold the button down and glide the treatment head. This is largely a convenience feature for treating large surface areas quickly.
Single-Shot Mode (Levels 4 and 5): The two highest power settings are only available in Single-Shot (or “Stamping”) mode. You must manually trigger each flash by pressing the device button, and these levels deliver the highest fluence the device can produce. This concentrated energy is necessary for “cleaning up” stubborn hairs.
Frequency of Use
The ViQure S-LD’s user manual recommends specific treatment intervals based on the biological hair cycles of different body areas.
Underarms, Bikini Area, and Beard: 20-30 day intervals
Arms, Legs, Back, Chest, Finger, Toes, Perioral area, Hairline: 40-60 day intervals
Treatment course: Typically 4-6 sessions
Note: Results vary by individual. You may need more sessions depending on your unique hair density, hormonal factors, and how consistently you reached the required thermal threshold in previous sessions.
Pro Tip: Consistency is key. You might see hair growing back between sessions and feel the urge to treat more frequently. However, photoepilation only works when the hair is in its “growth phase”, where it is still physically connected to the root. By following the recommended intervals, you are allowing more “resting” hairs to rotate into that active growth phase, making treatments more efficient. Consistency and patience ensure you hit the most hair at the exact moment it’s vulnerable.
3. Post-Treatment
Post-Treatment Care
Immediately following treatment, you should:
Rinse: Wash the ultrasound gel off with soap and water. Many gels contain preservatives to keep them shelf-stable; while safe for a short procedure, leaving them on for many hours can trigger contact dermatitis.
Soothe: Though it may not immediately feel like it, your skin has undergone a harsh procedure. Many people use aloe vera gel or fragrance-free lotion to soothe the skin post-treatment.
Protect: If you are exposing the treated area, you must wear sunscreen. Post-treatment skin is highly photosensitive; sun exposure can cause dark spots or uneven skin tone, called post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation (PIH).
Monitoring: Always consult a doctor if you experience any unexpected or prolonged side effects.
Optional Hack: Exfoliation
While not strictly required, exfoliation can assist loose hairs in falling out faster and prevent ingrown hairs.
Chemical Exfoliation: Using a mild chemical exfoliant between sessions helps the skin shed dead hairs.
Mechanical Exfoliation: Another option is a gentle physical scrub or a dry brush to manually nudge the shedding hair along.
The Safety Window: Exfoliation makes the skin significantly more sensitive. To avoid irritation:
Wait at least 3 days after a photoepilation treatment before exfoliating.
Stop all exfoliation at least 3 days before your next scheduled photoepilation session.
Do not over-exfoliate! Your skin is already in a sensitive state following photoepilation. Aggressive scrubbing or using high-percentage acids can compromise your skin barrier, leading to redness, raw spots, and increased risk of burns during your next session.
A note about paradoxical hypertrichosis: It is strongly advised not to treat areas where you only have “peach fuzz” (vellus hair). For many people, this includes the upper lip, buttocks, upper arms, and back. Paradoxical Hypertrichosis is a phenomenon where instead of destroying the follicle, the treatment actually stimulates it. This happens when the energy absorbed by the hair is too low to cause irreversible thermal damage. Since fine hairs have a very high thermal threshold, in some cases treating peach fuzz can cause fine, light hair to grow back thicker and darker.
Photoepilation Essentials List
At-Home Photoepilation Device: ViQure S-LD
White Kohl Liner (optional): To safely “white out” moles and grid treatment areas.
Ultrasound Gel: For use with the ViQure S-LD during treatment.
My pick (small treatment area): Aquasonic Clear Ultrasound Gel, 8.5oz (get it on Amazon)
My pick (full-body treatment): Aquasonic Clear Ultrasound Gel, 5L container (get it on Amazon)
Post-treatment Skincare: Aloe vera gel or lotion to calm and hydrate skin immediately after a session.
SPF Protection: Essential for protecting photosensitive skin from dark spots and uneven tone.
Exfoliation (optional): To help dead hairs shed and prevent ingrown hairs between sessions.
Using the S-LD
Interested in trying it out for yourself? Use code ‘SOF15’ for 15% off.
Results, Timeline, & What to Expect
Specifics About Me
Skin Type: Fitzpatrick IV (Fitzpatrick V in some darker areas)
Hair Profile: Medium-to-fine, black
Areas Treated: Upper and lower legs, underarms, Brazilian
Note: I have mild keratosis pilaris (often called “strawberry legs”), as seen in the images. These are not hairs, but rather a buildup of keratin around the hair follicle.
Treatment and Level
Legs:
Treatment 1, level 1: little to no noticeable change
Treatment 2, level 2: little to no noticeable change
Treatment 3, level 3: patchiness, shedding, ~70% reduced growth
Underarms:
Treatment 1, level 1: little to no noticeable change
Treatment 2, level 2: patchiness, shedding, ~60% reduced growth
Treatment 3, level 2: patchiness, shedding, ~80% reduced growth
Brazilian:
Treatment 1, level 1: patchiness, shedding, ~40% reduced growth
Treatment 2, level 1: patchiness, ~70% reduced growth
Note: This is an account of my personal experience and results. Your mileage may vary based on your specific circumstances.
What Progress Looks Like
Shedding (the process in which hair falls out of the follicle) and regrowth patterns vary significantly based on your hair and skin profile. The shedding process usually occurs within 1–3 weeks post-treatment as the body pushes the dead hair out of the follicles.
Common Shedding Experiences:
The Fluence Connection: I personally noticed that my results weren’t linear; below a certain device fluence “threshold”, I would see some thinning, but the results weren’t as noticeable. However, once I crossed the threshold fluence level, I experienced pretty dramatic results in the form of patchiness and shedding within 1–2 weeks of treatment. Different areas had different thresholds; for example:
Denser Hair: My Brazilian area responded to level 1 because the hair is thick and dense, allowing it to absorb energy very efficiently. I noticed shedding within a week of the first treatment.
Finer Hair: Finer hair such as that on my legs necessitate a higher energy setting to reach the same destructive heat. I saw little-to-no reduction on levels 1 or 2, however, as soon as I bumped the device up to level 3, ~70% of the hair in the area began shedding within 1-2 weeks.
Patchy Growth and “False” Regrowth: You may notice hair returning in uneven patches. Shorter hairs may appear about a week after the session. These are often detached from the root; they can be pulled out effortlessly with fingers or will fall out naturally over time.
Thinning & Slower Growth: Some users don’t see dramatic “patchiness” right away. Instead, the hair returns much finer, lighter, and grows significantly slower than its original state.
Final Verdict and Discount Code
The ViQure S-LD is a serious powerhouse. Unlike many consumer-grade devices that merely stun the hair, the S-LD is much closer to a professional clinical experience, both in its fluence and its results.
The Bottom Line: If you have Fitzpatrick I–V skin and medium-to-dark hair, this device is a highly effective investment. It is particularly impressive for those who have struggled with stubborn areas (like the bikini line) or those who have plateaued with low fluence devices. If you are diligent about your treatment, the ViQure S-LD offers a level of efficacy that is difficult to find outside of a professional clinic.
Ready to try it? If you’re grabbing the S-LD, don’t pay the full price.
Use code ‘SOF15’ for 15% OFF.
Disclaimer: While I am an engineer and enjoy breaking down the science of how technology works, I am not a medical professional. The information shared here is based on my independent research and technical analysis intended for educational and informational purposes only. Please consult with a qualified professional before starting any new treatments.
Enjoy this article?
Follow Science Over Fluff on Instagram | Subscribe to the YouTube Channel