DIAMONDGLOW

Pros

• The DiamondGlow facial is suitable for all skin types and tones because it’s so customizable. Your doctor or aesthetician will select a gentler or coarser exfoliating tip depending on your skin tone and goals, and you’ll decide which condition-specific SkinMedica serum you want them to apply. 
• This pain-free skin-resurfacing treatment takes only about 30 minutes and has no downtime.
• You should see an immediate glow after one treatment and the quality of your skin improve over a series of treatments.

Cons

• You may need four to six treatments (over two to three months) to get the maximum skin-health benefits, and full results may not be apparent for up to two months, when your cells will have completely turned over to reveal fresh, new skin. 
• If you’re acne-prone, a DiamondGlow treatment can exacerbate breakouts. You can choose the Pore Clarifying serum during your treatment to head off new pimples.
• Skin can become irritated and inflamed for a day or two, if it's treated too aggressively during the treatment. 
• Rarely, the treatment may trigger an allergic reaction.

• Average Cost:
• $196

• Range:
• $139 - $250

The cost of your DiamondGlow treatment will depend on the experience level of your provider, their practice location, the size of the treated area, and how many treatment sessions you have. 

Some providers offer special pricing if you pay upfront for a package of multiple DiamondGlow treatments.

You can finance your treatment with CareCredit.

This facial combines exfoliation, extraction, and infusion—three key facial steps. That includes buffing away old, dead skin cells; removing dirt and oil from pores; and applying a potent serum that can now more easily penetrate the skin. 

The treatment’s innovation is that all three steps are performed simultaneously, a key difference from its rival HydraFacial.

The manufacturer claims that infusing the skin at the same time of exfoliation and extraction allows the serum’s active ingredients to go deeper, making them more effective. 

As in a microdermabrasion treatment, your provider uses a motorized handpiece with a diamond tip to resurface your skin. There are six diamond tips, to allow the treatment to be customized to suit your skin. That same handpiece simultaneously uses pneumatic force (aka vacuum suction) to clear away old cells and other debris from within pores, eliminating blackheads.

As your surface skin is buffed away and your pores are cleared, the handpiece delivers the serum into your newly open pores.

After your treatment, you can see all the gunk that was removed in a tank attached to the handpiece.

Topical skin-care serums are known for their ability to deliver powerful active ingredients to the skin, to effect targeted change. Each of the SkinMedica Pro-Infusion serums used during a DiamondGlow treatment is formulated to treat specific conditions. 

You'll have these serum options: 

• Pore Clarifying draws out impurities to fight blemishes and blackheads
• Ultra Hydrating infuses dry skin with hyaluronic acid to deeply rehydrate skin
• Skin Brightening targets discoloration and increases radiance
• Vitamin C evens out skin tone, boosts collagen production, and acts as an antioxidant to reduce cellular damage
• SkinMedica TNS Advanced+ contains patented Tissue Nutrient Solution blend of antioxidants, proteins, and amino acids, to target wrinkles, fine lines, and sagging skin while enhancing tone and texture

You can choose one serum that best suits your concerns or ask for a combination.

You’ll see increased radiance and suppleness immediately after each DiamondGlow facial. Pores will be unclogged, so your skin should feel clean and look clearer. 

"My skin feels smoother and I have a beautiful glow to match," one RealSelf member reported. "I will definitely do this again."

As far as post-treatment side effects go, you might look a little red from the vacuum pressure, especially if you have sensitive skin, but that should subside very quickly. You can apply makeup immediately after treatment and carry on with your day.

It will take a series of multiple treatments to see a marked improvement in some skin issues, such as fine lines and dark spots of discoloration, which can go several layers deep.

Results of a single treatment are temporary, lasting only about as long as it takes for your skin cells to turn over again (usually about four weeks). You’ll need more than one session for optimal results—though even then, the effect may be subtle. 

You can boost your benefits by continuing with an at-home skincare regimen. In a clinical study, a series of DiamondGlow treatments showed continued, significant visible improvement in roughness, radiance, pigmentation, and other signs of photodamage, at six and 12 weeks when done in conjunction with a SkinMedica home-care skin program.

To help maintain the benefits of DiamondGlow, and indeed, of any skin treatment, be sure to wear a broad-spectrum sunscreen with an SPF 30+. "Sun damage can be the biggest enemy to your skin, causing premature aging, dark spots, uneven skin tone, melasma, and skin cancer," says Dr. Dennis Gross, a dermatologist in New York City, in a RealSelf Q&A. "You should never go into the sun unprotected."

DiamondGlow is considered to be safe. However, according to the manufacturer, the treatment isn't for everyone. 

You shouldn't have the treatment if you have compromised skin quality as a result of psoriasis, eczema, or other skin or other health issues that can leave skin dry, itchy, or flaky. 

Tell your provider if you're pregnant or lactating, or if you have any medical conditions, including allergies, and if you're using topical medications on the treated area.

Be sure to let your provider know if you're on Accutane, and which level of dose you're taking. "If you're on a high dose of Accutane and your skin is very dry, irritated, and red, then no, you should probably not have the treatment," says Dr. Victor Rueckl, a dermatologist in Las Vegas, in a RealSelf Q&A. "However, if you're on a lower dose and maintaining fine but just a little dry, then a hydrating treatment is okay. I would make sure your provider knows not to use the glycolic solution on you, as that will be too much no matter your dose."

Typical side effects from a DiamondGlow treatment include a scratchy, stinging sensation during the treatment and temporary tightness, redness, or slight swelling post-procedure.

Rarely, more serious side effects, such as severe skin irritation and allergic reactions, may also occur.

RealSelf Tip: It's safe to get a DiamondGlow treatment before having injectables like Botox and fillers, says Dr. Paul Flashner, a Boston-based physician, in a RealSelf Q&A. "I stress the word 'before' because you would never want to do any facial treatment after receiving any neurotoxin and/or fillers for the possibility of the product being moved around," he says. "Always allow 72 hours before doing any treatments after injectables."

DiamondGlow and HydraFacial both provide exfoliation, but DiamondGlow offers physical exfoliation via a diamond-tipped device, while HydraFacial uses a mix of glycolic and salicylic acid to exfoliate chemically. 

Each facial also extracts impurities and infuse skin with a customized serum. HydraFacial offers the choice of 11 different "boosters," while DiamondGlow works with one (or a blend) of five serums. 

One key difference is that DiamondGlow performs exfoliation, extraction, and infusion simultaneously, through a closed-loop system. 

Doctors on RealSelf agree each treatment offers numerous benefits, without the need for downtime. "Both are amazing devices and you will see great results either way you go," says Dr. Jeffrey Wise, a facial plastic surgeon in Wayne, New Jersey. 

Another difference lies in the level of results they deliver. HydraFacial is often seen as a more cosmetic treatment, while DiamondGlow is seen as more corrective. 

"HydraFacial is a great hydrating, but more superficial treatment," says Dr. Anil Shah, a Chicago facial plastic surgeon. "DiamondGlow gets deeper using higher levels of exfoliation to increase penetration of the product." This may lead to greater effectiveness.

Some patients may benefit from a treatment plan that includes both DiamondGlow and HydraFacial treatments. A DiamondGlow facial can correct skin concerns, while HydraFacials can help maintain them. 

Both treatments can also be paired with other skin rejuvenation procedures like chemical peels, laser skin resurfacing, and radiofrequency treatments. 

Discuss your goals with an experienced provider to determine the best long-term skincare plan for you.