After a decade of hormonal acne, hyperpigmentation, and uneven skin texture, I just did the unthinkable: I uploaded a picture of my completely bare, makeup-free skin to Hinge. Because rn, my face looks f*cking impeccable, and I’m shouting it from the rooftops, okay? And this glorious selfie that’s getting me matches left and right was taken right after my very first DiamondGlow facial, an in-office exfoliating facial that’s loved by celebrities and dermatologists alike. Here’s the 411 plus my experience.
What is DiamondGlow?
DiamondGlow is a facial treatment performed in a doctor’s office or med spa that provides exfoliation, extraction, and hydration all in one session, explains dermatologist Jennifer Lee, MD. “The unique technology utilizes a patented diamond-tipped wand for skin exfoliation, followed by an infusion of serums that are customized to the patient’s skin type and needs,” she adds.
The entire treatment can be tailored to your skin. So if you’ve got a tough, resilient face (@me), your provider can increase the diamond grit for more intense exfoliation and use a more powerful infusion serum too. But if you’re more sensitive, don’t fret—there are ways to tone things down. It is also painless, only takes about 45 minutes, and can be done year-round (aka doesn’t cause sun-sensitivity or increase risk of hyperpigmentation).
Benefits of DiamondGlow:
The best part about DiamondGlow is that you can see results in as quick as one single session. The treatment can help:
- Smooth uneven skin texture
- Brighten skin tone and fade hyperpigmentation
- Unclog pores and reduce acne and blackheads
- Make your skin plump and hydrated
How long does DiamondGlow last?
Your glowy, radiant results from a DiamondGlow facial will generally last a few weeks, if not more, depending on your skincare routine and the product you use at home. Dr. Lee recommends a slew of Skin Medica products (which is the brand used during the facial, btw, so you know they’re good), including the HA5 Hyaluronic Acid Serum for hydration, Even and Correct Advanced Brightening Treatment for hyperpigmentation, and/or TNS+ Advanced Serum to slow down the formation of fine lines and wrinkles.
And just like a regular facial, DiamondGlow treatments can be maintained monthly—or performed once every two weeks for more intense treatment for clogged pores or pigmentation issues, says Dr. Lee.
Who should not get a DiamondGlow facial?
“DiamondGlow is generally safe for all skin types, including sensitive and acne-prone skin,” says Dr. Lee. “However, I recommend not getting treatment if you have active sunburn or irritated skin, any open wounds or skin infections, or a history of severe skin irritation after exfoliation,” she adds.
How much does DiamondGlow cost?
DiamondGlow costs between $150 to $300 per treatment on average, according to Allergan (the owner of DiamondGlow, the same people who own Botox Cosmetic and Juvederm, FYI). This price can vary greatly depending on your location and provider though.
My experience:
About my skin:
So aside from the random breakout on my period here and there, I’ve mostly cleared my pimples, thanks to a few rounds of Aviclear, tretinoin, spironolactone, and a damn good skincare routine. But I’ve now got lots of leftover acne scars and bumpy texture that I’d like to take care of sooner than later. And with it being summer, I simply want my face to look like it’s beaming at all times. Glowy, hydrated, Hailey Bieber skin is the blueprint.
Preparing for the treatment:
Before my treatment with aesthetician Edyta Jarosz, she instructed me to avoid all retinoids and exfoliating acids (glycolic, lactic, salicylic, mandelic, and the like) for five days. This is because we’d be using a cocktail of chemical exfoliants and brightening agents like vitamin C in my treatment that could potentially irritate my skin if it was already sensitized by other actives. But otherwise, I just showed up with little to no makeup on and sat back and relaxed in her comfy bed.
During the treatment:
As with most facial treatments, Jarosz started by thoroughly double cleansing my face, neck, and chest and then examining my face under a magnifying light to determine the exact course of action she’d be taking with my skin. She noticed that I had a couple teeny-tiny existing breakouts plus lots of hyperpigmentation and major congestion on my nose. But overall, my face just needed some hydration and ~ juice ~ to give it plumpness and glow.
Jarosz immediately got to work, sweeping the diamond-tipping wand across my skin in quick strokes. It felt like a light scratch—similar to microdermabrasion—but it definitely doesn’t hurt (solid 1 out of 10 on the pain scale). Then came the device’s vacuum mechanism, which gently lifts up and extracts clogged pores (but without giving you face hickeys, à la the pore vacuum you ordered in a panic at 2 a.m. from Amazon). Jarosz used this primarily on my T-zone (forehead, nose, and chin) where I'm prone to blackheads.
Then an infusion wand did the opposite of suction and actually pushed one of five Skin Medica Pro-Infusion serums into my skin. Again, this is customized to your skin type and goals, like clarity, hydration, line-smoothing, brightening, and evening skin tone. Jarosz actually decided to opt for the moisturizing, plumping hyaluronic-acid-spiked serum to help give my skin that juicy look and reduce any signs of dehydration.
Technically, at that point, the DiamondGlow treatment ended, but Jarosz opted to add on blue-light therapy and oxygen therapy to help kill any acne-causing bacteria on my skin to reduce any likelihood of breakouts. Then she coated my face in Skin Medica TNS Advanced+ Serum (one of my favorite products ever ever ever with growth factors to promote faster healing and smooth and prevent fine lines), some moisturizer, and SPF before I headed out for the day.
Aftercare:
Unlike a lot of facial treatments I’ve tried, my skin had zero redness or irritation after DiamondGlow. I was shocked. Like, moments after being exfoliated and vacuumed, and I looked like this? Explain yourself, DiamondGlow!! Some people might experience a little redness though, but that should dissipate in a few hours. Otherwise, there’s no downtime whatsoever, so you can immediately get back on your with your life. (I legit went back to the office to do a photo shoot. Yes, I am Andy Sachs, tyvm.)
I kept my skincare routine minimal for the first three days following my treatment, focusing solely on hydrating and soothing (aka no retinol, vitamin C, or AHAs). My regimen was fairly basic: Just cleanser, hyaluronic acid serum, moisturizer, and sunscreen in the morning.
Results:
Above, my skin looks brighter, glowier, and ~juicier~ just after this one 45-minute treatment. I couldn’t believe my eyes. It also just felt so good too. Not itchy or stinging or burning—instead, it felt calmed and moisturized. You’ll also notice my lips look a bit plumper, and this is because Jarosz used the infusion wand on my lips as well. This not only adds hydration but also brings blood flow to your lips to make them look a bit more temporarily full.
Obviously, my hyperpigmentation didn’t disappear immediately, but now two weeks later, I definitely notice that my dark spots have diminished slightly in a few areas. I could see myself getting a handful of treatments to address this more head-on over time, especially because—unlike every other treatment I’ve tested for dark spots like chemical peels, microneedling, and lasers—it doesn’t hurt at all. “I recommend people maintain once-a-month DiamondGlow treatments, but if you’re undergoing more intensive treatment for acne-prone skin or skin complexion, DiamondGlow can be used as frequently as once every two weeks,” says Dr. Lee.
QQ: Is DiamondGlow better than Hydrafacial?
Okay, so it’s not necessarily “better,” of course. It all comes down to personal preference. Here’s the deal with Hydrafacial: It infuses your skin with salicylic acid and glycolic acid to offer a light chemical exfoliation, while DiamondGlow actually physically exfoliates, explains Dr. Lee. In general, Hydrafacial tends to be more gentle and hydrating, offering up a bit of extractions but overall boosting your skin’s glow. And it’s especially great when used for maintenance once a month. “Because of the manual exfoliation, I think Diamond Glow can be more effective for people with thicker or more textured skin,” says Dr. Lee.
The tea? I’ve tried both services, and for my acne-prone, oily skin, I’m a firm DiamondGlow believer all the way. But for very sensitive, “normal,” or dry skin, Hydrafacial can be an ideal ongoing option to add to your skincare ritual.
Final thoughts: Does DiamondGlow facial really work?
Yep, DiamondGlow really works, in my opinion. My skin has never looked as radiant and fresh as it did when I hopped off Jarosz’s table (and I fear I’ll be chasing that high forevermore). It’s an expensive treatment, but in as short as 45 minutes, it offers a multi-modal approach (we’re talking chemical and physical exfoliation plus extractions and serum infusion, along with any add-ons you incorporate for even more benefits). To me, that’s worth it for my skin to look this good.
Ready to book your own? Go ahead, find a DiamondGlow provider here.
Meet the experts:
- Jennifer Lee, MD, is a board-certified dermatologist at REN Dermatology in Brentwood and Franklin, Tennessee
- Edyta Jarosz is an aesthetician at Shafer Clinic in New York, New York.
Why trust Cosmopolitan?
Beth Gillette is the beauty editor at Cosmopolitan with six years of experience researching, writing, and editing skincare stories that range from double-chin treatments to led light-therapy tools. She’s an authority in all skincare categories but an expert when it comes to DiamondGlow after testing it herself, asking a million questions during her treatment (classic), and interviewing a dermatologist.
Beth Gillette is the beauty editor at Cosmopolitan, where she covers skincare, makeup, hair, nails, and more across digital and print. She can generally be found in bright eyeshadow furiously typing her latest feature or hemming and hawing about a new product you "have to try." Prior to Cosmopolitan, she wrote and edited beauty content as an Editor at The Everygirl for four years. Follow her on Instagram for makeup selfies and a new hair 'do every few months.
