Beauty Diary: Mecca’s $709 Dr Dennis Gross LED face mask review
Aussies are raving about an expensive gadget that costs over $700 – but is it worth the money? You’ll be surprised by the answer.
It’s the “must-have” beauty gadget you’ve seen all over social media – but with a price tag of over $700, chances are you have just one question: “Is it worth it?”
The Dr Dennis Gross LED face mask, officially named “DRx SpectraLite FaceWare Pro” has been a firm feature on TikTok and Instagram since it launched in 2020.
Its distinctive appearance compared to rival LED masks and its sky-high price tag made it an instant conversation starter.
Anyone with a smidge of social status has displayed the bougie beauty buy, only sold at Mecca, on their social media feeds – but does it even work? Understandably, I was sceptical.
How does LED therapy work?
The popularity of LED (light-emitting diode) therapy has been growing exponentially in recent years thanks to its wide promotion as a pain-free treatment for several common skin concerns.
These include claims it can reduce wrinkles, fine lines and age spots as well as improve facial texture and help sun-damaged skin.
It’s also cited in the beauty industry as being able to improve skin conditions such as psoriasis, rosacea and eczema.
However, medical research into the treatment is very much in its infancy – and though clinical research has shown that certain light devices are effective, the studies are small, leading experts to say wider testing is needed.
The Australian Register of Therapeutic Goods (ARTG) have deemed LED masks safe for use however this is not an indication of effectiveness.
The Dr Dennis Gross Spectralite Faceware Pro really works
But since I started using the device at the start of the year, compliments about my skin have been pouring in – and now I’m at the point where I can say with confidence: This mask works for me.
The instructions on the $709 gadget (up from its $679 price tag last year) state the product needs to be used daily for at least eight weeks in order to obtain visible results.
Luckily, you only need to wear the mask for 3 minutes a day in order to tick it off your to-do list.
Some people claim wearing it for longer “boosts” efficiency, but Hannah Daniel – Mecca’s skin expert and innovation lead – told news.com.au’s The Beauty Diary this was pointless.
“An important point with LED is more time doesn’t necessarily mean greater improvement in the skin, so doing 9 minutes instead of 3 won’t provide results any faster,” she warned.
“However, using an LED mask consistently means improvements are noticeable after only a few weeks of use.”
My skin was glowy and clear
Daniel is not wrong – but it’s a slow process, which I initially thought was validating my healthy dose of scepticism.
It was around the three month mark I began to see the effects visibly kick in.
Dr Dennis Gross, a dermatologist from New York, credits its efficiency to the Spectralite Faceware Pro’s multiple treatment options.
It gives users the choice of a red LED, blue LED or a combination of the two.
“LED therapy uses light in the visible spectrum – including blue, yellow, amber and red – as well as light beyond the visible spectrum to penetrate different depths of skin,” he told The Guardian previously.
“As the light wavelength increases, so does the depth of penetration.”
While it took me several months to notice my skin was glowier and clearer, others around me saw it much quicker.
Several friends, including a few who work in beauty, asked what skincare products I was using – with one stating: “You’ve got glass skin.”
One afternoon, I was even stopped by a stranger on the train, which totally dissipated my scepticism for good.
I think it’s important to note that I deliberately didn’t make any drastic changes to my skincare routine in order to fully judge the Dr Dennis Gross properly.
I’m not alone in thinking the LED mask is bloody amazing, with others describing it online as a “game-changer” and “an incredible piece of kit”.
The Dr. Dennis Gross LED Mask & Facial Steamer are game changers for your skincare regimen✨
— B (@labibicita) February 6, 2023
one day i will be able rich enough to buy the Dr Dennis Gross LED face mask
— ✧༠ð“®ð“µð“®ð“·ð“ª à¼âœ§ (@wacklena) December 22, 2022
Obsessed with my Dr Dennis Gross Spectralite LED mask even though it freaks everyone out and I’ve been told that I look like I’m a cast member from SquidGame
— â¤Susannah Murray⤠(@SusieQhatesYou) May 7, 2022
The mask is pretty easy to use, even though as one Twitter hilariously pointed out, it does “freak” some people out.
Charging this bad boy is also super simple, and I’ve found the battery lasts absolutely ages.
Despite the unexpected amount of love I have for my Dr Dennis, there’s no denying it’s a huge amount of money, especially amid a cost of living crisis.
“One day I will be able rich enough to buy the Dr Dennis Gross LED face mask,” one woman declared on social media, a sentiment no doubt shared by many.
But, if you’re among the lucky few who have the spare cash to splurge at the moment, it’s definitely a great investment.
This column is not advertorial content. Every review is independent, honest and ad-free. If you have a question about a beauty product or an item you’d like to see road-tested in The Beauty Diary, jump into our official Facebook group where you can join like-minded beauty junkies. You can also catch me on Instagram.