Just when I thought I had tried all the possible at-home skin rejuvenation devices, ViQure reached out and asked if I’d like to review their latest DPL & NIR Photo Facial device.
DPL? That’s an acronym I haven’t heard before, but I have heard of photo facials, which I’m told feels like a thousand rubber bands snapping your face. So with curiosity and a bit of trepidation, I agreed to try the ViQure Lumirea out.
Good news, no rubber band snaps, but what about the results? Let’s find out!
Overview
What is it
An at-home home photo facial device that uses dual-wavelength lights (DPL and NIR) to calm redness, fade pigmentation, boost collagen, and smooth fine lines without downtime.
Available for
$469 on ViQure. Use code GEEKY70 for $70 off!
Wavelengths
530–650nm (dynamic pulsing light, aka DPL) and 900–1800nm (near-infrared light and deep near infrared light)
Coverage
6 cm2
Fluence
2.2 J/cm 2
Design & Size
Handheld wand with mode/level selection buttons and indicators facing outward. The size is significantly bulkier than any other handheld devices I’ve tried, but not heavy or awkward to hold. It’s not wireless so you need to be near an outlet to use it.
Treatment Time
5 minutes for the NIR/Milky Skin mode, 3 times a week, for at least a 4 week cycle. The Redness and Brighten mode should be used 3 times each on the targeted areas, also 3 times a week for at least 4 weeks.
Pain Level & Downtime
The heat becomes more noticeable as you increase the levels, and personally I find 2-3 the most comfortable for me. It feels like a warm massage, and the cooling ring can help offset potential discomfort in Brighten or Redness mode.
Video Demo
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Usage Experience
If you’re a long time reader of my blog, you’ll know that for years I’ve been trying to find products to help fade my dark spots, even if just by a smidge. No luck, and I ended up doing a PicoWay treatment which has been fantastic, but it’s also pricey and I prefer something I could use at home.
What’s interesting about DPL is that it uses the same concept as PicoWay: light energy targeting specific pigment cells in our skin, breaking them down so the body can naturally metabolize them. More on this in the geeky details below.
First impressions
The device looks like one you’d find in a med spa, with a generous applicator area and built in sapphire cooling system. While bulky in size, it’s easy to grip and not heavy either.
They also included a pair of sunglasses which you’re supposed to wear, but I found that it actually blocks some of the treatment area so I never used it.
Was not a fan of the included manual, I felt like the instructions could be more clear, especially since the device wasn’t particularly intuitive. Or maybe that’s just my mom brain. For example, in Brighten mode, I didn’t realize I had to hit the Flash button each time to complete a treatment.
Application experience
My typical routine is a continuous flash NIR mode + Brighten mode in level 2, immediately after washing and drying my face, before applying any skincare products.
The NIR portion feels like a relaxing warm facial massage, but by the time I switched to Brighten mode, the device had fully heated up and felt a little hot to the touch.
The cooling system helped, but because the applicator surface was so large, there were certain areas where the cooling ring couldn’t touch my skin, so all I got was heat. I’m now able to maneuver the device so the cooling ring fully contacts my skin, but it did take a few tries to figure this out.
Despite the recommended treatment time of 5 minutes in NIR mode, there is no timer built in, so you’ll need to keep track of yourself. It’d be nice if the device beeped at the 2.5 and 5 minute mark to let you know the status of your treatment.
There’s definitely more of a learning curve to the Viqure Lumirea compared to other devices, but once you get the hang of it it’s pretty easy. I’m able to watch TV or read while using this, just need to set a timer for the NIR session!
Before & After
Testing timeline: 2 weeks – 2 week break – 2 weeks, with a total treatment of 4 weeks
Device settings: NIR + Brighten modes at level 1 for 1 week, then level 2 for the rest of the period. Redness is not a concern for me so I couldn’t fully test the DPL’s impact there.
I tried my best to keep the lighting as similar as possible between the photos, but I also moved during the testing period so the photos were taken in different locations. I did stop using all other devices so I can isolate any changes to just the ViQure.
For me the most noticeable change has been the improvement in skin tone. With the stress of buying a home, moving, and then selling our old home (and the snacking that comes along with the stress), I was expecting the dullness to get worse. But thanks to the ViQure Lumirea, my skin actually looks brighter!
I haven’t noticed any significant improvements in my dark spots, fine lines, or pore sizes. The 2 week break may have set back my progress here, but I will keep using the device and look forward to seeing long term results.
Geeky Details: DPL Skincare Benefits
The ViQure Lumirea features two different technologies. Near infrared light (NIR) and Dynamic Pulse Light (DPL).
The ideal wavelengths often cited in research are around 630nm, 830nm, and 1072nm. Lumirea’s technology spans multiple ranges that overlap with parts of this spectrum, including the DPL range (530 – 650nm) and the NIR range (900 – 1800nm), which are designed to target both surface-level skin concerns and deeper layers of the skin. The 1072 wavelength specifically helps improve appearances of fine lines around the eyes and eye bags,1 skin texture, and reduce wound healing time.2
DPL is truly the standout technology here, as I’ve yet to see an at-home beauty device feature it!
Fun fact I learned while researching DPL: The “D” can stand for different things, depending on your sources. Most brands, including ViQure, call it “Dynamic Pulsed Light”, research journals call it “Delicate Pulsed Light”, and one particular manufacturer even calls it “Dye Pulse Light”.
Regardless of the name, all sources agree that DPL is a narrow-band and refined form of IPL (intense pulsed light) with a concentrated wavelength of ~500 – 600 nm.
You may be more familiar with IPL, aka photo facials, a professional treatment that targets a wide range of skin issues: acne, sun damage, discoloration, fine lines, and redness.3 Since DPL is a refined form of IPL (some consider it an improvement), let’s talk about differences.
Key Differences Between DPL and IPL
- More comfortable and less downtime IPL works at a broad range of 500–1200 nm whereas DPL uses a narrower 500-600 nm range that more precisely targets redness (hemoglobins) and pigment (melanin). This reduces the risk of damaging the surrounding skin, which means less discomfort and less potential downtime.
- Potentially safer for darker skin tones Because DPL avoids unnecessary wavelengths that can overheat the skin, it may reduce risk of burns or post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation for those with darker skin tones.
- Less proven, but with promising results Most literature focus on the skincare benefits of IPL, and the ones studying DPL often focus on redness, sensitivity, or acne-prone skin (as you’ll see below). However the before & after shown by manufacturers and clinics are pretty promising:
ViQure specifically showed a 28% improvement in elasticity, 24.83% reduction in redness, and 35% improvement in skin tone after using their Lumirea device for 4 weeks!
Skincare Benefits of DPL
- Reduces skin redness and sensitivity A study of 181 patients found that low-energy DPL significantly decreased redness and sensitivity with minimal side effects.4 Another study also found that DPL significantly reduced post-acne redness.5
- May help improve skin tone, texture, and barrier functions A study found that ultrasound combined with DPL helped improved skin tone, wrinkle appearances, elasticity, and moisture barrier functions more than just ultrasound alone.6
- Helps reduce breakouts when combined with prescription treatment. A split-face study found that when paired with isotretinoin, DPL has been shown to improve acne and reduce redness more effectively than topical treatment alone.7
Final Verdict
Pros
- Features 3 different modes to target a wide variety of skincare concerns
- Extremely comfortable to use with no downtime, especially when compared to professional treatments
- Short treatment time makes it easy to incorporate into existing routines
- Visible results with the brightening mode
Cons
- Slight learning curve due to the bulkier size and difference in flash modes
- Anti-aging results require long term commitment to see results
Scores & Summary
- Design
- Comfort Level
- Ease of Use
- Performance
- Price
If you struggle with dullness and are looking for something to help brighten your skin tone, the ViQure Lumirea has been the most effective of all the devices I’ve tried, and the brighten mode is super quick to use. On the other hand, $400+ is a lot to spend for a brightening product, but anti-aging benefits typically take longer to appear, so I plan to continue using the device to see how it performs on fine lines over time.
I do love how quick and comfortable this is to use, and can see myself continuing to use this long term. Will update with new results if I see them!
Article Sources
To keep my content accurate and trustworthy, I rely on peer-reviewed studies, articles from reputable academic institutions, and quotes from certified healthcare professionals to back my claims.
Jenny Wu
Passionate about science-based skincare. Tested hundreds if not thousands of products since my 20’s. Working
regularly with brands like iHerb, Ulta,
CurrentBody, and MedStar Health to share my knowledge and experience in all things beauty. Learn more.
Skin profile: 35+,
dry/combination, focused on well-aging, hydration, and a healthy glow ✨
