Road Test: Is the $700 Dr Dennis Gross LED face mask really worth it?
WORDS BY LIZZIE MULHERIN
For almost a grand, you’d hope so.
If you’ve scrolled through any social media platform in the last two years, you’ve most likely seen skin aficionados donning an apocalyptic, sci-fi-esque device. A chic white shade with rose gold-coloured plates illuminated by red and blue lights, it gives Iron Man going to a Daft Punk gig in the late ’90s.
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I am, of course, referring to the Dr Dennis Gross (DDG) LED face mask. Or, as it’s officially named, the DRx Spectralite Faceware Pro. This baby retails for a casual $709 at Mecca, where it’s amassed a 4.6-star rating from 245 reviewers. The ‘wrinkle-reducing, acne-fighting device’ claims to ‘fight damage in just three minutes a day’ thanks to its 100 red LED and 62 blue LED lights.
How does LED light therapy work?
As Dr Dennis Gross told FJ, “The Spectralite Faceware Pro is an FDA-cleared device that uses LED light therapy to smooth, firm and clear skin. LED light therapy is like any other topical ingredient, like retinol or vitamin C. When the skin comes into contact with specific wavelengths of LED light, it enacts a change within the cell.
“The SpectraLite FaceWare Pro has three settings: red LED, blue LED and combination (both red and blue LED together). Red LED light therapy targets redness, the root of inflammation, to immediately calm the appearance and texture of the skin. Over time, red LED stimulates natural collagen production, reducing the appearance of lines and increasing skin density or firmness.
“Blue LED light therapy attacks acne bacteria causing them to self-implode, destroying the root of the infection…” Dr Dennis explains. Designed to be incorporated into your beauty routine with one three-minute daily treatment, Dr Dennis says the key is to use the device consistently (that’s every day) for optimal results.
But does the LED face mask actually work?
For almost a grand, you’d hope so. The overall online sentiment is mostly positive. TikTok trial runs have garnered thousands of likes for giving (literally) glowing reviews. But what do the experts say? I asked Dr Alpana, a certified and independent dermatologist, to find out.
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“At-home LED face masks typically have lower wattage compared to the devices used in professional settings, such as a dermatologist’s office,” she explains. “However, this doesn’t necessarily mean that they’re ineffective. They can still provide benefits, especially if used as an adjunctive treatment.”
As for whether those benefits are worth the price tag, Dr Alpana says it comes down to personal preference and skin concerns. “If you are looking to target specific issues such as acne or fine lines and wrinkles, then it may be worth considering as an addition to your skincare routine. However, it is important to keep in mind that it should be used in conjunction with a consistent skincare routine that includes sunscreen, retinoids and antioxidants.
“The DDG mask has a good range of wavelengths (red and blue) that can target different skin concerns, and it also has a built-in timer to prevent overuse. However, there are many other brands that offer similar products with different features and price points. For example, Neutrogena offers a light therapy acne mask that uses both red and blue light… it all comes down to your individual skin concerns and budget,” Dr Alpana explains.
The lived experience
On a scale of rookie to skin aficionado, I’d rate my personal beauty prowess as average at best (so much so that I didn’t take proper ‘before’ photos to compare results). I cleanse, moisturise and dabble in the odd vitamin C serum, but mostly leave the scary-sounding stuff (retinol, peels… you get it) to the professionals a few times a year. Curious to see if this device could bump me up on the beauty routine spectrum, I decided to give it a red-hot go myself.
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The DDG team advised giving the product at least eight weeks of daily use to show results. The daily use was much more a pleasure than a chore, though. It warms your face to a similar temperature as sitting in the morning sun, without the damage. There’s also just something really nice about setting aside three minutes each morning to be horizontal, in the name of clearer skin (the mask comes with a strap if you want to wear it ‘on the go’, but I quite liked the excuse to lie down).
I also just felt really good after using it. I had the same sense of post-workout pride in my productivity, knowing I was doing something (potentially) good for myself. But unlike a workout, it required minimal effort. Can I see a visible change in that time? Honestly, it’s hard to tell.
I like my skin after using the device every day, my complexion appears more balanced and my skin more clear. I still have some light pigmentation, redness and the odd spot. Now that my free trial of the device is ending, I think I’d rather spend the $709 on a few micro-needling sessions with in-house professionals. If your beauty budget is bountiful and your skin concerns match the mask’s promise, it may well be worth a red (or blue) hot go for you too.
The writer was loaned a Dr Dennis Gross Spectralite Faceware Pro mask for the purpose of this review.
For a round-up of the best light therapy masks on the market, head here.
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