If you want plump, glowing, youthful skin, it requires a multifaceted approach. A consistent, daily medical-grade skincare routine that is catered to your skin type and the seasons is the foundation, but to have that flawless, buttery smooth complexion that has everyone asking for your “secret,” you need to give your skin an additional boost from time to time.
One of the most effective ways to care for your skin is to get regular in-office cosmetic skin treatments such as lasers or facials. There are many options available; however, not all cosmetic skin treatments are suitable for all skin types and concerns. Plus, many cosmetic skin treatments require a bit of downtime.
The exception is the HydraFacial. This extremely effective patented facial combines cleansing, exfoliation, extraction, and hydration in one treatment. It addresses a wide range of skincare concerns, from acne and hyperpigmentation to fine lines and wrinkles, all while being gentle and non-irritating.
From what a HydraFacial is to its specific benefits for each skin type, when to expect results, and the rare instances where a HydraFacial might not be suitable, our skincare experts are here to break it all down.
What is a Hydrafacial?
The most simple way to describe a HydraFacial is that it’s a multi-step facial treatment that includes deep cleansing, exfoliating, extracting, and hydrating the skin with customized serums.
Two things distinguish the HydraFacial from other facials. First, it’s performed with a device rather than by hand, which provides deeper penetration and longer-lasting results. Second is the device itself. The HydraFacial MD patented vertex technology system has over 80 patents. There really is no other facial like it on the market.
The wand used during a HydraFacial operates like a gentle vacuum, delicately opening up your pores for a deep cleanse and removal of impurities and dead skin cells. This wand also helps the active ingredients in your booster (which is catered to our skin type and concerns) penetrate deeper, ensuring that your skin receives the most effective treatment possible.
Another thing that makes the HydraFacial stand out is it can be personalized to address a wide variety of skin concerns, such as:
- Pore size
- Rough or uneven skin texture
- Hyperpigmentation
- Fine lines & wrinkles
- Dark spots
- Elasticity & firmness
- Redness
- Dry Skin/Hydration
- Oily Skin
- Congested skin & acne
You can sort of think of a HydraFacial as a combination of a custom facial and microdermabrasion. However, the HydraFacial is much more advanced than microdermabrasion while being gentler on the skin because the suction level can be adjusted. Additionally, a HydraFacial is more customizable than a custom facial.
If you are looking for a facial that is safe for almost every skin type, requires no downtime, and provides virtually instant results– a HydraFacial is for you! There is a good reason 92% of people say they would switch estheticians if they didn’t offer the HydraFacial.
HydraFacial Benefits by Skin Type
The HydraFacial is designed for all skin colors and types—yes, even sensitive and acne-prone skin! Below is a breakdown of the benefits of a HydraFacial by skin type.
Oily Skin
Don’t let the word “hydra” or the use of serums during the treatment scare away any of our oily-skinned friends. HydraFacials are excellent for oily skin. In fact, we often encourage our clients with oily skin to get HydraFacials more frequently than those with normal, dry, or combination skin.
One of the biggest problems people with oily skin is an imbalance in hydration. While it may seem counterproductive to hydrate already oily skin, hydration is vital for restoring the skin’s oil balance. When hydration levels are balanced, your skin is less likely to dry out and overproduce oil in response. The HydraFacial also offers a deep cleanse and exfoliation to remove dead skin cells, another must for oily skin types.
If you have oily skin, regular HydraFacial treatments can help balance oil production, resulting in the kind of glowing skin you want instead of the persistent shine and excess oiliness you don’t want.
Dry Skin
There are many reasons someone can have dry skin, from genetics and environment to age and underlying health issues. No matter the root cause of dry skin, dead skin sitting on the superficial layer of the skin contributes to a dull and dry appearance. A HydraFacial removes the superficial layer of dead skin cells, revealing fresh skin and a prepped canvas for specialized hydrating serums to deeply penetrate the skin.
You can slather serums and moisturizers on your skin religiously, but even the most popular brands cannot counteract severely dehydrated skin. One of the main benefits of a HydraFacial for dry skin is its ability to provide deep hydration below the top surface.
HydraFacials use a very deep and unique hydration process compared to skincare and other facials. If you have dry skin or dry patches on your skin, your esthetician will likely use a custom serum with hyaluronic acid, a very powerful moisture-attracting agent that holds up to 1000 times its weight in water, helping to replenish and balance moisture levels in the skin.
You can never go wrong with regular HydraFacials if you have dry skin.
Combination Skin
Combination skin is oily in some areas and dry in others. This type of skin can be tricky to correct with a traditional facial, which only focuses on one concern at a time. A HydraFacial is an excellent choice for combination skin because it’s highly adaptable and can be customized to target each specific problem in one treatment.
With a HydraFacial, we can adjust the serums used, effectively balancing hydration so every part of your skin receives custom care. If you have combination skin, a HydraFacial will help balance your skin, leaving it perfectly hydrated and radiant.
Sensitive Skin
Sensitive skin is one of the most challenging skin types to treat. The good news is that a HydraFacial is not only extremely gentle, making it safe for sensitive skin, but it can also help correct some of the issues those with sensitive skin often deal with, such as redness or rosacea.
It achieves this by stimulating circulation and delivering nourishing, specialized serums directly to the skin that are known to alleviate the redness, inflammation, and irritation often associated with these conditions. Additionally, the hydrating and moisturizing properties of HydraFacial help to strengthen the skin’s barrier function, reducing sensitivity and improving overall skin health.
A HydraFacial is our number one suggestion for those with sensitive skin because it is gentle yet powerful. It provides relief from common sensitive skin concerns while promoting long-term skin health and resilience.
Acne Prone Skin
A HydraFacial is a game-changer for those struggling with breakouts because of its unique ability to deeply cleanse and exfoliate the skin to remove nasty build-up in congested areas and extract impurities such as blackheads. By eliminating this build-up, the HydraFacial also tackles acne-causing bacteria, accelerating the skin’s natural healing process during breakouts and reducing the likelihood of future flare-ups.
Additionally, during a HydraFacial, the skin is infused with customized acids formulated to penetrate pores, draw out impurities, remove excess oil, and further exfoliate, breaking up impurities for clearer skin.
If you have acne scars, a series of HydraFacials can also be effective in minimizing their appearance. HydraFacials help promote collagen production and skin renewal. This can help scars fade over time, revealing smoother, more even-toned skin.
If you are prone to breakouts, one thing you should be aware of is that clients with persistently congested skin sometimes have a few minor breakouts pop up after a HydraFacial. This process is called purging. It is the natural process of getting rid of underlying congestion. Purging can happen to any skin type but is more common for those with acne prone skin.
The good news is that purging breakouts heal quicker than normal. Plus, it’s worth the temporary pimple or two since HydraFacials work wonders in getting to the root cause of breakouts, preventing ongoing acne in the future.
Who Should Not Get a Hydrafacial?
As you can see, HydraFacials are beneficial for every skin type. They are also safe for every skin color. That said, there are a few scenarios where an esthetician might suggest you hold off on getting a HydraFacial.
Here are a few cases where you might want to reconsider getting a HydraFacial:
Severe Acne Breakout
While a HydraFacial can help prevent future breakouts and even reduce the appearance of acne scars, it is generally not recommended if you have active pimples or cysts. The intense exfoliation and vacuum suction may be too aggressive, worsening inflammation and spreading bacteria, leading to further breakouts.
We suggest you see your esthetician and dermatologist for suggestions on getting rid of any active acne, then begin HydraFacial treatments to prevent them from coming back.
Chronic Skin Conditions
A HydraFacial is well known to help improve the appearance of rosacea, eczema, and psoriasis. However, if you have really sensitive skin or severe forms of these skin conditions, even though a HydraFacial is gentle, the exfoliation and suction might cause further irritation.
If you have a chronic skin condition, it’s best to book a complimentary consultation to discuss if this facial is your best skin solution.
Sunburned Skin
If you forgot to slather on SPF and ended up with sunburn, you should wait until your skin has fully healed before having any type of facial, including a HydraFacial. Your skin is very sensitive when sunburned, and the suction and exfoliation could cause irritation. Once your sunburn is fully healed, you can book a HydraFacial.
Skin Infections or Broken Skin
If your skin is infected or broken in any way, you don’t want to do anything to delay the healing process; therefore, it’s best to avoid a HydraFacial until it is fully healed. Again, this has to do with the suction and exfoliation involved in the treatment.
Recent Facial Surgery
Similar to an infection or open wound, if you’ve had recent facial surgery, the suction and exfoliation involved could potentially aggravate the incision site. You should wait until your skin is fully healed before having any type of cosmetic skin treatment, including a HydraFacial. This is typically about six months following surgery.
Immediately after Toxins or Filler
If you’ve recently had dermal filler or a botulinum toxin, such as Botox, you should not get a HydraFacial. These substances need time to settle into the target areas. A facial could potentially disrupt the placement or distribution of the injected toxins or fillers.
It’s generally recommended to wait about 7-14 days after receiving toxin or filler injections before undergoing a HydraFacial or any other facial treatment.
Pregnancy
While there is no evidence that a HydraFacial could harm a pregnant woman, it’s always best to use caution in what you put on your skin if you are pregnant or breastfeeding. Some active ingredients used in the HydraFacial treatment may not be deemed safe for your baby.
If you are interested in a HydraFacial, you should talk to your OBGYN first or wait until after delivery and weaning.
Do You See Results After One HydraFacial?
Yes! You will leave your HydraFacial treatment with noticeably smoother, radiant skin, with the results peaking within a few days to a week after the treatment. This is when you’ll likely notice the full benefits, such as improved skin hydration, a more radiant complexion, reduced fine lines and wrinkles, and minimized appearance of pores and hyperpigmentation.
As with any facial treatment, results will fade with time. Consistency is key to maintaining results. We suggest getting a
HydraFacial every three to four months, more often if you have oily skin or are looking to reduce the appearance of acne scars.
Where to Get a HydraFacial
You can’t get your hands on the patented machine required for an authentic HydraFacial unless you are a licensed skin care professional and certified HydraFacial provider.
While we’ve heard about a few “knock-off” treatments, but there is no DIY alternative to a true HydraFacial. You must be trained and certified to use the machine. Relive Health is certified to use the patented machine and has licensed estheticians trained in performing this unique facial treatment. To find a Relieve Health location near you, click here!
