I Tested Dr. Dennis Gross' LED Light Therapy Mask—It Changed My Skin in 3 Months

We put Dr. Dennis Gross DRx SpectraLite FaceWare Pro to the test after receiving a complimentary sample from the brand. Keep reading for our full product review. 

If you were to tell me three months ago that the texture of my skin would change completely by using an at-home skincare device, I wouldn’t have believed you. While fancy skincare devices come with a bevy of critiques, it’s sometimes overwhelming to figure out which ones are truly worth investing in, and there’s nothing better than finding products that really work to address your skin concerns.

Ahead, I tried Dr. Dennis Gross DRx SpectraLite FaceWare Pro LED therapy mask for 90 days, and the results completely blew my mind.

About My Skin: Sensitive, combination skin

I have combination and sensitive skin. I am dry in some parts, oily in most, and tend to break out if I use anything with a strong fragrance or very active ingredients. I am concerned about aging but do see a dermatologist for botox, so my fine lines are very subtle. When it comes to my skincare concerns, texture has always been at the top of my list. Even though I haven’t experienced acne in years, the texture of my skin has been uneven and bumpy for quite some time.

How to Use: One of the easiest devices

This is one of the easiest devices I’ve used at home, and it only takes three minutes per day for the full treatment. First, make sure your face is washed, dry, and free of any products before putting on the mask. This is very important because if you put on skincare before using the mask, it may end up blocking the LED light from absorbing into the skin.

All you need to do is strap the mask on your face and push the button at the top to select your light setting, lie back and relax. There are three light settings, and you can choose the one you want by continuing to click on the button at the top. Each setting has a different purpose. The red light setting is the first option, which is meant to help in boosting collagen production, blue light is up next, which is meant to help destroy bacteria and acne inflammation, and the third light option is a mix of blue and red to try to help treat multiple concerns at once. When the three minutes are up, the mask turns off, and then you can disinfect the inside to get it ready for your next use. You can then follow up with your skincare products of choice. 

Design: Looks futuristic

This is an FDA-cleared medical-grade device that uses 162 red and blue LED lights that lay flush to the face for maximum penetration. It is 100% safe, according to the brand. As far as the battery life, the mask will need to be re-charged right around the 10th treatment. 

Science: Light therapy works

To learn more about the science behind this product, I asked Dr. Gross how LED light therapy really works: “Light therapy works on the skin like other topical ingredients. Just like vitamin C, your skin cells have receptors for LED. The light enters the skin cell and connects to a unique LED receptor—this is different from receptors for topical ingredients."

"For example, LED can enter the fibroblast cell and stimulate your skin to make more of its own collagen, which is what you want for healthy, youthful skin. The DRx SpectraLite FaceWare Pro has both red and blue LED lights with multiple settings so you can use red, blue, or both together. Red light stimulates your own production of collagen, diminishes dark spots, and soothes inflammation while blue light targets acne-causing bacteria.”

The Results: New skin in 90 days

This product stays on for the entire three minutes distributing the LED light effectively across the entire face. I used the mask every single day for 90 days (and have continued use since then). Another wonderful takeaway I've noticed is that the tone of my skin appears radiant, and my complexion looks fresh, which I’m very satisfied with. 

To learn more about LED light thearpy and what kind of results are normal, I consulted Dr. Dustin Portela of Treasure Valley Dermatology, who said that LED therapy is "unlikely to show dramatic improvement unless consistently used over a three- to six-month period.” Essentially, the keyword here is consistency.

Dr. Portela also emphasizes how important it is to use a daily sunscreen to protect skin and help preserve results. 

The Value: The sticker shock is real

One might experience sticker shock when initially seeing the price of this mask (it retails for $435), yet there are a few things to keep in mind. While an in-office visit for LED light therapy treatment will cost you anywhere from $175 to $300, the price of the FaceWare Pro divided up over each treatment is more cost-effective than having an in-office visit one to two times per month. 

There are certainly variances in the strength of in-office versus at-home treatments, yet this product, when used consistently, delivers phenomenal results all within the comfort of your own home, making it well worth the price and very efficient if you’re short on time. You’re getting LED light therapy treatment every single day to target your skincare concerns, and you don’t need to leave the house to do so. If you’re someone who receives LED light therapy treatment in a dermatologist's office, the mask might be a wonderful addition to use in conjunction with those treatments to maintain efficacy. 

Similar Products: You've got options

H-Lab LED PDT Light Therapy (7 Colors) ($169): This device by H-Lab features a very different design from the Spectralite Faceware Pro. Although the design isn't as streamlined, the price is definitely much better.

The Light Salon Boost LED Face Mask ($495): The design of the Boost LED face mask is most similar to the Spectralite Faceware Pro, meaning it seems easy to use. This silicone mask promises LED benefits in as little as 10 minutes.