The Red Carpet Facial: DiamondGlow in the Week of Your Event
Some treatments change the skin over months. DiamondGlow changes how it looks this week. It buffs away the dull outer layer of dead cells and delivers a serum onto the fresh surface in the same pass, leaving skin smoother, brighter and luminous, usually with nothing to recover from. That is why it is the treatment people book a few days before the party.
Some treatments change your skin over months. DiamondGlow changes how it looks this week. It buffs away the dull top layer of dead cells and puts a serum onto the fresh surface at the same time, leaving skin smoother, brighter and glowing, usually with nothing to recover from. That is why people book it a few days before the party.
DiamondGlow: the essentials
The short version
A diamond-tip dermabrasion that exfoliates, extracts and delivers a serum in one step
A diamond-tipped wand that buffs, clears and puts on a serum all in one go.
Smoother texture, brighter tone and a hydrated, luminous surface
Smoother, brighter, better hydrated skin with a glow.
Usually none; brief pinkness or tightness that settles within hours
Usually none. Maybe a little pinkness or tightness for a few hours.
Two to five days before the event, when the surface is at its brightest
Two to five days before the event, when your skin is at its brightest.
Pause retinoids and exfoliating products for at least three days beforehand
Stop retinoid creams and exfoliating products for at least three days before.
Not a treatment for acne, rosacea, melasma or other skin disease, and not a substitute for laser resurfacing
Not a treatment for acne, rosacea, melasma or any skin disease, and not a replacement for laser work.
Why the surface matters on the night
Why the surface matters on the night
Much of what we read as radiance is about how skin reflects light. A smooth, hydrated surface reflects it evenly and looks luminous. A surface crowded with dry, dead cells scatters light and looks dull, and make-up catches on it rather than gliding over it.
Much of what we see as a glow is about how skin reflects light. A smooth, well-hydrated surface reflects it evenly and looks luminous. A surface covered in dry, dead cells scatters light and looks dull, and make-up catches on it instead of gliding over it.
The outer layer renews itself constantly, but the shedding of old cells slows with age, dry winter air and indoor heating, so the surface by late autumn often holds more dull, dry cells than it did in summer. The natural cycle is explained in The Skin Renewal Cycle.
The top layer of skin renews itself all the time, but shedding the old cells slows down with age, dry winter air and indoor heating. So by late autumn the surface often holds more dull, dry cells than it did in summer. How this cycle works is explained in The Skin Renewal Cycle.
Removing that layer gently, and immediately feeding the fresh surface with a hydrating serum, is a quick way to change how skin looks in photographs and in person. That is the whole idea behind a red carpet facial: not a change to the skin’s structure, but a perfect surface for one important week.
Gently removing that layer, then feeding the fresh surface with a hydrating serum straight away, is a quick way to change how skin looks in photos and in person. That is the whole idea of a red carpet facial: not changing the skin underneath, but giving you a perfect surface for one important week.
What DiamondGlow does
What DiamondGlow does
DiamondGlow is a dermabrasion device. A wand with a diamond-coated tip passes over the skin, removing part of the outermost layer, while gentle suction lifts away the loosened cells and debris from pores. At the same moment, a serum chosen for the skin is delivered onto the freshly exfoliated surface.
DiamondGlow is a skin-buffing machine. A wand with a diamond-coated tip is passed over your skin, taking off part of the outermost layer, while gentle suction lifts away the loose cells and gunk from pores. At the same moment, a serum chosen for your skin is put onto the freshly buffed surface.
Doing all three at once is what distinguishes it from an ordinary facial. The tip can be changed for coarser or finer exfoliation, and the serum can be chosen for hydration, brightness or calming, so the treatment is adjusted to the skin in front of us. Most people describe it as a gentle scratching or vibrating sensation, and the session takes well under an hour.
Doing all three at once is what makes it different from an ordinary facial. The tip can be changed for stronger or gentler buffing, and the serum can be chosen for hydration, brightness or calming, so the treatment is adjusted to your skin. Most people say it feels like a gentle scratching or buzzing, and it takes well under an hour.
Studies of dermabrasion facials, including a 2001 clinical and microscopic study, have shown that repeated treatment can improve the look of early sun damage, with measurable changes in the skin. A single session before an event is about surface and glow rather than lasting change, which is exactly what it is for. Details are on the DiamondGlow Facial page.
Studies of skin-buffing facials, including a 2001 study that looked at the skin under a microscope, showed that a course of treatments can improve the look of early sun damage, with real changes in the skin. A single visit before an event is about the surface and glow rather than lasting change, which is exactly what it is for. Details are on the DiamondGlow Facial page.
Timing it for the event
Timing it for the event
Because the effect is on the surface, it is at its best within days, which is the opposite of most skin treatments. The skill is to book it close enough to the event to shine, with a little margin.
Because it works on the surface, it looks best within days, which is the opposite of most skin treatments. The trick is to book it close enough to the event to glow, with a little time to spare.
| When | Why | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Two to five days before | Surface smooth, bright and hydrated at its peak | The usual choice; allows a day or two for any pinkness |
| The day before | Still possible for most regular patients | Not recommended for a first ever treatment |
| The day of the event | Glow is immediate | Best avoided; leaves no margin for brief redness |
| More than a week before | Benefit is real but partly faded by the night | Better as part of a course, or paired with another closer to the date |
| When | Why | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Two to five days before | Skin at its smoothest, brightest and most hydrated | The usual choice; leaves a day or two for any pinkness |
| The day before | Fine for most people who have had it before | Not a good idea for your first one |
| The day of the event | The glow is instant | Best avoided; no time for any brief redness to go |
| More than a week before | It helps, but some of the glow has faded by the night | Better as part of a course, or with another one nearer the date |
If you have had injections for the same event, leave a gap: avoid facials and pressure over treated areas for the first days after wrinkle relaxers or fillers. With injections about two weeks before and DiamondGlow in the final week, the two fit together naturally, as set out in Botox and Fillers Before an Event.
If you have had injections for the same event, leave a gap: avoid facials and pressing on treated areas for the first few days after wrinkle injections or fillers. With injections about two weeks before and DiamondGlow in the last week, the two fit together nicely, as explained in Botox and Fillers Before an Event.
If you have had a laser such as Fraxel FTX or a Pico facial, the skin needs to have fully healed first. DiamondGlow then becomes the finishing step on newly renewed skin, as described in Your Pre-Holiday Skin Calendar.
If you have had a laser such as Fraxel FTX or a Pico facial, your skin needs to have fully healed first. DiamondGlow then becomes the finishing touch on freshly renewed skin, as described in Your Pre-Holiday Skin Calendar.
Preparing your skin, and aftercare
Getting your skin ready, and afterwards
Preparation is light, but it matters for comfort and for the result.
Getting ready is easy, but it matters for comfort and for the result.
Pause retinoids and exfoliating acids or scrubs for at least three days beforehand, avoid waxing or other hair removal on the face for a few days, and come with skin that has not been sunburnt or tanned. Tell us about any medicines, allergies, pregnancy or skin conditions, and about any recent cold sores, because the treatment is not done over broken, irritated or infected skin.
Stop retinoid creams and exfoliating acids or scrubs for at least three days before, avoid waxing or other hair removal on the face for a few days, and come with skin that is not sunburnt or tanned. Tell us about any medicines, allergies, pregnancy or skin conditions, and any recent cold sores, because the treatment is not done on broken, irritated or infected skin.
Afterwards, the skin may feel slightly tight or look pink for a few hours. Use a gentle cleanser and a good moisturiser, wear a broad-spectrum sunscreen of SPF 30 or more, and keep retinoids and exfoliants away for a couple of days. Make-up can usually go on the same day, and it tends to sit beautifully on the smoother surface.
Afterwards, your skin may feel slightly tight or look pink for a few hours. Use a gentle cleanser and a good moisturiser, wear a broad-spectrum sunscreen of SPF 30 or higher, and keep retinoids and exfoliants away for a couple of days. Make-up can usually go on the same day, and it sits beautifully on the smoother skin.
What DiamondGlow cannot do
What DiamondGlow cannot do
Being clear about the limits is what makes a red carpet facial a good choice rather than a disappointing one.
Knowing the limits is what makes a red carpet facial a good choice and not a disappointing one.
DiamondGlow is cosmetic skin care. It does not treat acne, rosacea, eczema or melasma, it does not firm loose skin, and it does not replace laser resurfacing for sun damage or scarring. If skin is inflamed, flaring or simply not understood, a medical assessment comes first, and in this practice that assessment is made by a dermatologist.
DiamondGlow is cosmetic skin care. It does not treat acne, rosacea, eczema or melasma, it does not firm loose skin, and it does not replace laser work for sun damage or scars. If your skin is inflamed, flaring or nobody is sure what is going on, a medical check comes first, and at this practice that check is done by a dermatologist.
For deeper change, the earlier steps of a holiday plan do the heavy lifting: skin tightening and low-downtime lasers in the weeks before, then injections about two weeks out. DiamondGlow is the finishing touch that makes all of that look its best on the night.
For deeper change, the earlier steps of a holiday plan do the heavy lifting: skin tightening and gentle lasers in the weeks before, then injections about two weeks out. DiamondGlow is the finishing touch that makes all of it look its best on the night.
Questions patients ask
How many days before an event should I have DiamondGlow?
How many days before an event should I have DiamondGlow?
Two to five days before is ideal. The surface is at its smoothest and brightest, and there is time for any brief pinkness to settle.
Two to five days before is ideal. Your skin is at its smoothest and brightest, and there is time for any pinkness to go.
Is there any downtime?
Do I need any time off?
Usually none. Some people have mild pinkness, tightness or slight swelling for a few hours, and most go straight back to their day.
Usually not. Some people have a little pinkness, tightness or puffiness for a few hours, and most go straight back to their day.
Can I wear make-up after DiamondGlow?
Can I wear make-up afterwards?
Usually the same day. Many people find make-up sits better on the smoother, hydrated surface.
Usually the same day. Many people find make-up looks better on the smoother skin.
Is DiamondGlow suitable for sensitive skin?
Is it OK for sensitive skin?
Often, with a gentler tip and a calming serum. It is not done over active rosacea or eczema flares, sunburn, broken skin or cold sores, so skin is checked first.
Often, with a gentler tip and a calming serum. It is not done during a rosacea or eczema flare, or on sunburn, broken skin or cold sores, so your skin is checked first.
Can I have DiamondGlow after Botox or fillers?
Can I have DiamondGlow after Botox or fillers?
Yes, with a gap. Avoid facials and pressure over treated areas for the first days after injections; injections about two weeks before and DiamondGlow in the final week fit well together.
Yes, with a gap. Avoid facials and pressing on treated areas for the first few days after injections. Injections about two weeks before and DiamondGlow in the last week fit well together.
- Shim EK, Barnette D, Hughes K, Greenway HT. Microdermabrasion: a clinical and histopathologic study. Dermatol Surg. 2001;27(6):524-530. Source
Where to go next
Talk it through with a physician first.
Every plan starts with an assessment of your skin, your anatomy and what you actually want to change.
This page is general health information, not medical advice. It cannot tell you whether a treatment is right for you. Approved uses, risks and results differ from person to person, and product labelling changes. Ask us at Dermatology and Laser Centre about your own situation, or make an appointment, and seek urgent care for any serious symptom.
