Is the Dr Dennis Gross LED mask really worth the hype?

While medical research into LED light continues, the effectiveness of at home face masks has not been fully evaluated. They have been declared safe to use by the Australian Register of Therapeutic Goods (ARTG), which is not an indication of effectiveness.

Is the Dr Dennis Gross Spectralite Faceware Pro easy to use?

The hardest part of using the mask is stopping for the timed three-minute daily treatment. The USB charger is easy to use, and I recharged it on Fridays for my three-week test.

A button on the Spectralite Faceware Pro’s forehead shifted easily between the settings of red, blue and double-duty “disco”. A strap can be affixed to the mask, but I preferred to go strapless and lie down during my treatment.

The recommended three-minute treatment is timed. The first time I used it, that time was taken up capturing the perfect selfie. During my next sessions I tried breathing exercises, social media doomscrolling and putting my socks on without the mask falling.

What’s the most surprising thing about the Dr Dennis Gross Spectralite Faceware Pro?

I would use the mask in the morning, following a smear of Trinny London Enzyme Balm Cleanser in the shower. During the treatment there was a pleasant warm sensation, like catching the sun’s early rays but without the threat of UV. I soon came to realise that for me this sensory response was triggered by the light rather than any heat coming from the mask.

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After the treatment I would apply a hyaluronic serum, which absorbed more easily than usual and would then slather my face with Medik8 moisturiser. After two weeks my crow’s feet were more like cat’s whiskers and removing creases from my forehead with FaceTune on Instagram was much easier.

I dabbled with the settings but preferred the red light setting. The colour energised me for the rest of the day, or perhaps that was the coffee I had beside me.

Ten weeks is the recommended time to wait for results, so I’m still going, and it’s still difficult to decide whether the mask, or more focused attention to my skincare routine, produced results that had me smiling at my next mirror inspection.

Is the Dr Dennis Gross Spectralite Faceware Pro worth the price?

If you’re the type of person who doesn’t baulk at buying moisturisers that cost more than $100 and has a dedicated refrigerator in your guest bathroom for serums, go for it. There’s a feelgood factor to using the mask and treating yourself.

It’s a significant investment, and I’ve felt equally enthusiastic following trials of less expensive jade rollers and sheet masks, so if you’re on a budget, explore other ways of improving your skin through massage and diet before purchasing a mask.

After trialling the Dr Dennis Gross Spectralite Faceware Pro I am thinking of buying one, secondhand from a girlfriend who stopped using hers after four weeks. She’s now contemplating a Dyson Airwrap.

Dr Dennis Gross Spectralite Faceware Pro, $679, Mecca

Every product review is purely editorial and independently chosen. The writer was loaned a Dr Dennis Gross Spectralite Faceware Pro unit for the purpose of this review.

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