True Story: I Cleared My Skin in 3 Days Thanks to Dr. Dennis Gross's LED Face Mask

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(Image credit: @erin_jahns)

I've been dealing with ongoing acne, inflammation, and lingering scarring for a few years now, and every facialist I see recommends light therapy to help clear current breakouts and prevent future ones from occurring. Typically, I get light-therapy treatments when I go in for my facials, but I wanted to see how the at-home face masks hold up. I've been experiencing more bumps and redness than usual, so I figured it would be a good time to try it out.

I'd heard really great things about the Dr. Dennis Gross DRx SpectraLite FaceWar Pro, so I reached out to the brand's team, and they were kind enough to send one to me to try for a review. Keep scrolling for my honest thoughts.

What Is the DRx SpectraLite FaceWare Pro?

The famous Dr. Dennis Gross mask actually has three different settings: red LED, which stimulates collagen production to help minimize signs of premature aging like fines lines, loss of elasticity, and wrinkles; blue LED (what I used) to banish acne-causing bacteria on the face; and a combo of red and blue LED to give you the best of all worlds.

It's an incredibly easy product and treatment to fit into your routine, and I wore it for three minutes (it's self-timed!) on the blue-light setting every night for a week, making sure to pop it on after cleansing my face and before applying my other face products.

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The before

(Image credit: @erin_jahns)

My Testing Process

Whenever I try something new, I always try to keep the rest of my routine pretty much the same. If I start altering too many things at one time, it's hard to discern what's working and what's not. To keep things as controlled as possible, I stuck to my normal evening skincare routine but added in the LED mask right after cleansing and immediately before my serum and evening moisturizer.

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(Image credit: @erin_jahns)

My Results

Honestly, I noticed a difference in the tone and evenness of my complexion after just one wear! After using the mask each night, my skin felt calmer, and there was no redness in sight.

After a full week of treatments, I had no new breakouts, and the bumps that had been lingering on my face at the beginning were almost cleared and significantly less angry and inflamed-looking. The brand does say that you'll notice a reduction in acne in just a few days, but I definitely didn't believe it until I actually experienced the magic for myself!

I was surprised by how fast it worked on my acne and redness (especially around my chin and mouth) and particularly how easy and seamless it was to incorporate it into my nightly routine. I also found it strangely relaxing, and I would lie down during my treatment—almost like a little meditation!

Any Challenges?

Not really! Like I said, each treatment is only three minutes, so the time commitment is really so minimal. I never like adding extra time-consuming steps to my routine, so I was thrilled with how uncomplicated the process is.

That said, I think I'll be switching my daily treatment to the mornings versus nighttime since it is pretty bright. I'm trying to be mindful about my blue-light exposure and sleep hygiene once evening hits, so I think it might be less stimulating and more relaxing to actually use in the mornings.

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The after

(Image credit: @erin_jahns)

So Does the Dr. Dennis Gross LED Mask Really Work?

In my experience, yes! The mask itself is a really big investment, so it's amazing that you definitely get some almost-instantaneous gratification once you begin using it. I've only been using it for about a week but noticed its calming and rejuvenating effect on my skin within days.

I'm super excited to continue the practice, and I'll probably start trying the red and red/blue settings since the blue alone has already been super beneficial for my complexion. Dr. Dennis Gross also makes both a version solely for the eye area, one for the lips, and a version for the body (to help combat lines and wrinkles), so now I'm curious to try that considering how much I love the full-face model.

FAQ

How often should you use the Dr. Dennis Gross LED mask?

According to the brand, if used daily for the required three minutes, users will notice a clearing of mild-to-moderate acne in addition to the fading of lines.

How long does it take to work?

Of course, the benefits get better the longer you wear it, and it says the best results occur after you've been using the mask for a full 10 weeks.

Is it worth the price?

I know this is an extremely expensive product, but if you have the bandwidth in your budget, I think it's an extremely savvy investment. Consistency is key, so it's important you know that you'll need to use the device regularly in order to reap all of the glowy results, but it's not a hassle to use and is really so streamlined.

If you're using it in the morning, just make sure you apply sunscreen right after, and if you're using it in the nighttime, apply a peel (if using) in addition to any hydrating products (like serums and moisturizers) afterward. Also, there are a lot of light-therapy devices on the market right now, and some are much more effective than others. I can personally vouch for Dr. Dennis Gross's model, but I doubt all devices are as fast or immediately beneficial. I definitely think this is an example of a product that's worth spending a little extra money on to really get the best benefit.

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This article was originally published at an earlier date and has since been updated.

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Erin has been writing a mix of beauty and wellness content for Who What Wear for over four years. Prior to that, she spent two and half years writing for Byrdie. She now calls Santa Monica home but grew up in Minnetonka, Minnesota, and studied writing, rhetoric, and communication at University of Wisconsin, La Crosse. She studied abroad in Galway, Ireland, and spent a summer in L.A. interning with the Byrdie and Who What Wear family. After graduating from UW, she spent one year in San Francisco, where she worked as a writer for Pottery Barn Kids and PBteen before moving down to L.A. to begin her career as a beauty editor. She considers her day-to-day beauty aesthetic very low-maintenance and relies on staples like clear brow serum (from Kimiko!), Lawless's Lip Plumping Mask in Cherry Vanilla, and an eyelash curler. For special occasions or days when she's taking more meetings or has an event, she'll wear anything and everything from Charlotte Tilbury (the foundations are game-changing), some shimmer on her lids (Stila and Róen do it best), and a few coats of the best mascara-type product on earth, Surratt's Noir Lash Tint.