What Is a HydraFacial?

A HydraFacial is a brand-name treatment that uses patented hydra-dermabrasion technology. "A HydraFacial is a multi-step facial treatment that includes exfoliating, extracting, and then hydrating the skin. With each treatment, a resurfacing wand boasting an exfoliating tip is used. Baum notes that it resurfaces the skin but also offers a gentle suction, pulling out dirt and impurities. The treatment finishes with the addition of a hydrating serum.

The Benefits

The gentle-yet-effective exfoliation and deep cleansing you get with a HydraFacial leaves skin bright, hydrated, and glowing, according to Thornton. "Because it gets rid of dead cells, products you use after the fact can penetrate more effectively, and it also creates a nice smooth canvas for makeup," Thornton adds.

Best of all? Because the downtime and potential side effects are almost non-existent, it's a great choice to do the same day as a big event. Similarly, it's one of those rare treatments where you will see immediate results; your skin will be glowing as soon as it's over, Baum says.

How to Prepare

The only thing you need to do is stop using any potentially-irritating ingredients such as retinoids AHAs, and BHAs for three days prior. This is because you don't want your skin to be irritated or overly sensitized when going into the treatment. It's a good idea to avoid excessive sun exposure for the 72 hours prior, too, as it can also make your skin more sensitive. Lastly, refrain from getting botulotoxin injections two weeks before, as any facial can disrupt how your injections settle in.

What to Expect

Cleansing and exfoliation come first; you'll feel a cool liquid on your skin as the resurfacing wand is simultaneously moved across your skin. The liquid deposited is an exfoliating solution to further amp up the mechanical exfoliating benefits.

Next up is the extraction portion, which occurs via gentle suction. "This is also completely pain-free, and you'll actually be able to see the impurities pulled out of your skin as they go into a 'gunk' canister," Baum says.

The final step is the addition of a customized skin booster or serum; your provider will choose one before starting the treatment based on your skin concerns and goals. This will also be delivered and infused into the skin via the device. Overall, Thornton explains that the whole experience should take about 45 minutes and be very relaxing.

HydraFacial vs. Microdermabrasion

HydraFacials and microdermabrasion are popular facial treatments, but there are a few differentiators between the two. "Both remove dead skin cells from the top layer of the skin, but they do it via different mechanisms," Thornton explains. "Microdermabrasion uses crystals and can be irritating to those with sensitive skin due to the abrasive nature. The HydraFacial uses water and suction to do a more thorough job with no irritation or downtime. It is safe for all skin types."

Potential Side Effects

According to both experts, the side effects are minimal, if any. It is possible to experience a few blemishes after the extraction process, though this can happen after any extraction, and is not typical with a HydraFacial, Baum says. Thornton notes that you may also experience a little redness if you have especially sensitive skin, but this tends to be short-lived.

Aftercare

As with the pre-treatment protocol, instructions here are minimal. Keep your skincare routine minimal—use a gentle cleanser, bland moisturizer, and sunscreen (always!). After that, you can resume your usual protocol.

The Final Takeaway

HydraFacials are safe for all skin types and concerns, ages, and genders because they are so customizable. They offer effective exfoliation as well as other benefits and come with minimal downtime. Essentially, HydraFacials are as close to a universally safe bet as you can get in the world of skincare treatments.