What is a Hydrafacial? Benefits, Costs, and How it Works

Have you traversed the deserts of the earth in search of the elusive Elixir of Youth  – but failed to find It?

Don’t worry; there’s an even better option. It’s a new skin treatment on the block called Hydrafacial.

And you can probably find it in your local spa.  

So what is this Hydrafacialthingy?

Read on.

What is a Hydrafacial?

Hydrafacial is a patented facial treatment that does three things – exfoliate, cleanse, and hydrate. Its effectiveness is better than regular facials you may have gotten in the past.

The treatment is effective for multiple skin conditions like acne, wrinkles, dryness, hyperpigmentation. It’s so popular that even celebrities like Britney Spears and Kate Winslet rave about it.

So how does this revolutionary treatment work? Let’s have a look. 

How does the treatment work?

The Hydrafacial process has three main processes:

Cleansing and exfoliation

The goal of this phase of the treatment is to exfoliate your skin and let new skin resurface. This is carried out using two chemicals, glycolic acid, and salicylic acid. Combined, they are called GlySal.

Glycolic acid removes dead skin cells and lines, leaving your skin looking rejuvenated.

On the other hand, salicylic acid removes dirt and sebum(oily fats) from deep inside your pores, giving your skin a refreshed look.

Extraction and Hydration

The next step involves extraction. The specialist uses a vacuum-like suction tool to remove blackheads, dirt, and toxins from your pores using suction.

Simultaneously while the unwanted gunk is being removed, the tool moisturizes and hydrates your skin.

On a side note – if your skin has been traumatized by blackhead removal in the past, fret not. The extraction process is smooth, painless, and gentle.

Fusing and Protection

In this process, your skin is saturated with antioxidants and peptides, leaving a healthy glow. It also makes the effects of the previous steps longer lasting. 

What are the benefits of Hydrafacial?

Plenty, plenty, plenty! Let’s look at them:

Skin appearance

The treatment will radically improve your skin texture and tone. Don’t be surprised if you get a few more compliments your way, whether you like it or not.

Reduces Acne

Suffering from oh-so-annoying acne? Then a Hydrafacial is a fantastic way to combat it. In addition, if you have skin blemishes from acne, those will be gone too.

That said, there are chances of a breakout a few days after the treatment. But don’t think of it as a bad omen; these breakouts are a sign that the treatment is working effectively and impurities are leaving your skin. Your skin will look spotless.

Buh-bye Aging

The treatment removes the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles as well as layers of dry and aging skin. It also improves the firmness and tone of your skin to provide a more youthful appearance.

While it’s possible to see quick results, you’ll probably need multiple appointments to maintain them and to slow down more wrinkles from appearing. So get a Hydrafacial appointment monthly for six months. You can then reduce the interval time to once in two months later on.

Leaves Your Skin Hydrated

The Hydrafacial skin treatment has a strong moisturizing effect on your skin. This is due to special peptides and vitamins that leave your skin healthy and glowing.

Clears Scars

When your skin gets wounded, scars form due to the build-up of collagen during the healing process. Sometimes the build-up happens unevenly, leaving scar tissue to appear raised or depressed in relation to the surrounding skin.

Hydrafacial smooths the skin by softening the edges of scars and reducing their appearance.

Shallow scarring will see an improvement after monthly treatments. You may even notice mild improvements after the first session. But deeper scarring will require other techniques like dermabrasion and laser treatments.

Clears Pores

The serums used in Hydrafacial treatments dislodge and dissolve sebum, dirt, and dead skin cells trapped in the pores. With the help of a vacuum suction tool, these impurities are drawn out, leaving your skin unclogged.

Your skin will be pore-free 5-7 days after a Hydrafacial treatment.

How much does a Hydrafacial cost?

The cost of treatment can be as low as $180 and as high as $300. It depends on factors like:

Duration

Longer the procedure, more the cost.

Skin Condition

Depending on your skin condition, costs may vary. For e.g., those who have severe acne may require a more thorough treatment.

Service Provider

Service providers with more expertise charge more. However, if you’re on a budget, there’s absolutely no reason not to get the Hydrafacial done for cheap. You can get it in any quality day spa.

Location

The price varies from city to city.

How does Hydrafacial compare to Other Similar Treatments?

Now let’s take a quick look to see how Hydrafacials compare to other skin treatments.

Microdermabrasion

Traditional microdermabrasion can leave your skin feeling more irritated compared to Hydrafacial. But on the plus side, it’s also slightly cheaper, costing anywhere from $75-$200.

Chemical Peels

These are more abrasive than Hydrafacials, and they too can leave your skin irritated. The treatment also requires a longer recovery time.

However, chemical peels are more effective, ESPECIALLY if you opt for a deep peel. They are much more effective in treating acne and improving the appearance of scarring.

Note that chemical peels may be costlier, with prices reaching up to $6000. However, light peels are cheap, with costs ranging between $100-$200..

Microneedling

Microneedling uses derma rollers made of small needles that create tiny punctures on your skin.

Derma rollers, unlike Hydrafacials, may cause adverse effects such as bruising or visible scars.

This treatment is more expensive than Hydrafacials and costs $100-$700 per session.

Conclusion

Getting a Hydrafacial is a no-brainer. The procedure is steadily gaining traction across the world. People love it because it’s cheaper than abrasive facials and other non-abrasive options PLUS it produces low-maintenance, high-quality results for your skin (which may require maintenance for longer-lasting effects).