DiamondGlow Facials Are My Secret for Dewy, Glazed Donut Skin

DiamondGlow facials promise smoother, clearer, more radiant skin with just one treatment—and improvement to concerns like dark spots, discoloration, and fine lines over time. Using a unique diamond-tipped exfoliation wand (yes—real diamonds), it's said that you can leave with super smooth, glowy skin after a single 30-45 minute treatment. And in my experience—this was definitely the case. Ahead, discover why I think DiamondGlow facials are worth the time and money—plus, everything you need to know about DiamondGlow from two board-certified dermatologists and an esthetician.

What Is DiamondGlow?

DiamondGlow is an exfoliating facial developed by Allergan, which uses a sterile, diamond-tipped wand for the ultimate exfoliation. The wand also features a unique vacuum and infusion system to clear pores and deliver potent serum boosters to the skin throughout the facial.

“DiamondGlow uses a controlled vacuum pressure to pull the skin up into a chamber in the handpiece, where it is evenly abraded just as aggressively or as softly as the vacuum pressure set by the skincare professional,” explains Dr. Guance. “This is significant because all other devices rely on the operator to apply the same pressure, at the same speed, consistently over the skin.”

The Benefits

There are multiple benefits of this treatment, including:

• Smooths skin texture through gentle exfoliation
• Cleanses pores
• Infuses serums into the skin
• Creates brighter, more radiant skin for 2-3 days post-treatment
• Zero downtime 

What to Expect During a DiamondGlow Facial

DiamondGlow facials last about 45 minutes, and include a skin evaluation, exfoliation, extraction, and infusion. After these steps, most providers will add on a few "extras" that can be customized for your needs and preferences—such as LED treatment or a lifting gua sha facial massage.

1. Skin Evaluation: Your DiamondGlow facial treatment will begin with a brief skin evaluation so your provider can customize the treatment—including the grit intensity of the diamond tip—for your skin Using a superpowered light, your esthetician will evaluate your skin for areas of congestion, active breakouts, irritation, or noticeable texture in order to treat those areas accordingly. During this time, your esthetician will also ask you if you have any particular concerns or goals for the facial—for example, I flagged that I tend to break out along my chin, and that my cheeks tend to get red easily.
2. Exfoliation and Extraction: After evaluating your skin, you'll receive a gentle cleanse to make sure your skin is clean and ready for treatment—then the true "diamond" part of the DiamondGlow facial begins. Using a handheld wand with a diamond-grit tip, your esthetician will use light, sweeping motions to simultaneously exfoliate the skin and clear your pores (using the wand's gentle "vacuum" mechanism). DiamondGlow features six different grit strength options ranging from high to low exfoliation power, and your esthetician will use the grit strength that best suits your skin type and texture. “During the treatment, you can expect to feel a mild, scratchy feeling on the skin, along with a mild, vacuum-like suction,” says Iteld.
3. Serum Infusion: Once your skin is cleared and exfoliated, an infusion wand will be used to perform the opposite of vacuuming—it will actually push serum into your skin. Much like the grit strength, serums are another customizable portion of the DiamondGlow facial. You and your esthetician can choose from five different Skin Medica Pro-Infusion serums, which target a range of concerns such as congestion and dryness.
4. Customizations like LED and Gua Sha: Once your skin has been cleared, exfoliated, and infused with a potent Skin Medica serum, the DiamondGlow portion of the facial has technically ended. However, most facial providers will tack on a few customizations at the end of the treatment to further tackle any skin concerns and/or help calm any redness from the treatment. My esthetician—Edyta Jaroszwas at Shafer Clinic—added on LED therapy, her signature "lift, sculpt, and slap" facial massage, and an oxygen infusion.
   

Results

For 2-3 days following my DiamondGlow facial, my skin was noticeably clearer, softer, and brighter. My makeup and skincare went on incredibly smoothly from the exfoliation, and thanks to the Skin Medica serum infusion, my skin basically looked like I was always standing in front of a ring light (even in dull office lighting). It's the perfect facial if you want to look fresh and radiant for a special event—I'll be getting the treatment the day before my wedding, plus a few extra treatments in the months leading up to help compound the results.

My skin immediately after receiving a DiamondGlow facial.

How to Prepare for the Treatment

Dr. Iteld recommends that you stop using active ingredients and exfoliants in your routine about five days before your treatment—and a full week if it's your very first DiamondGlow facial. That includes chemical exfoliants like AHAs and BHAs, topical acne treatments like retinoids or benzoyl peroxide, vitamin C serums, and any face scrubs. If you have any specific skin conditions or concerns, call your DiamondGlow provider before your appointment and make sure you're preparing your skin correctly.

Aftercare

Immediately following the treatment, it's normal to experience some facial redness, which should dissipate within a few hours. But other than that, there's zero downtime—you won't experience any pain during or after the treatment.

For 3-5 days following your treatment, avoid any active ingredients in your skincare and stick to a gentle routine: use a gentle cleanser, moisturizer, and mineral sunscreen in the morning, followed by a gentle cleanser and rich. moisturizer at night. After 3-5 days, you can start incorporating active ingredeints back into your routine.

Potential Side Effects

A stinging sensation during or after the facial—as well as redness—are the most common side effects from DiamondGlow and should dissipate within a few hours (or 1-2 days at worst). Rarely, some minor swelling can occur as well. “Some patients have experienced edema, pigmentation issues, and uneven correction," adds Dr. Guanche, doubling down that a qualified practitioner makes all the difference.

The risk of unwanted side effects can also be significantly reduced If you follow the proper preparation and aftercare protocol. If you use topical skin medication or have a history of allergic reactions, be sure to inform your provider ahead of your treatment. You should also inform your esthetician if you experience any discomfort during your facial.

The Cost

DiamondGlow facials cost about $150-$300 per treatment, depending on the provider and practice location. If you're just looking for an immediate glow for a special event, you'll achieve the desired effects from one treatment—but multiple sessions will be required if you're looking for a long term improvement in skin texture, congestion, and radiance.

DiamondGlow vs Hydrafacial

A few things set DiamondGlow apart from the comparable HyrdaFacial. First, the technique. Hydrafacial uses chemical acids to exfoliate, while DiamondGlow uses a diamond tip to exfoliate the skin physically. "There's a four to six-count pulse" over each section of skin during the DiamondGlow that makes it unique, Svendsen says. "The reason for that is so the skin can absorb all of the serum because if we go too fast, your body won't absorb it, and your skin won't be as volumized as it should. The typical patient has a volumization of up to 70%." 

Another aspect of a DiamondGlow treatment includes lymphatic drainage in the neck and eyes. The benefit of doing the neck is that wrinkles and crepey skin are less apparent because they're hydrated and smooth. The device can also be used on the eye-area skin and lips. In fact, it is the only facial device safe for plumping and volume on the lips. DiamondGlow is FDA-approved for acne, too—cystic acne included. 

Final Takeaway

DiamondGlow facials are a quick, luxurious, enjoyable way to achieve glowing skin for a special event, and regular DiamondGlow treatments can deliver long-term improvements in skin clarity, tone, and radiance. When seeking a DiamondGlow treatment, look for an experienced esthetician and be sure to inform them of any specific skin concerns or conditions to help them customize the grit strength of the diamond tip and Skin Medica serum selection for your exact skin.