Hydrafacials have recently gained popularity, promising skin rejuvenation within a few treatments. But does the treatment have any benefits, and is it effective? Or is it just marketing hype?
What Are Hydrafacials?
Hydrafacials are a cosmetic treatment with multiple steps, including cleansing, exfoliating, extraction, and infusion.1 A licensed esthetician or dermatologist uses a vacuum wand to suction your pores, remove dead skin cells, apply a light chemical peel, and infuse your skin with active ingredients.2
The treatment is a form of dermabrasion or skin resurfacing, but it exfoliates the skin using water and a specialized vortex wand instead of sanding it with crystals.3 It’s gentle and much like a regular facial but is said to have more dramatic results.4
Benefits of Hydrafacials
Hydrafacials may have a few benefits similar to a regular spa facial, from exfoliation to improved skin texture and acne.
Exfoliates Skin
Hydrafacials, also known as hydradermabrasion, flush water against the skin and use suction to vacuum it back off.5 The pore extraction removes debris, dead skin cells, and excess oil.6 The facial also infuses a light chemical peel into your skin, which gently removes and exfoliates the outer layer of your skin.7
Improves Skin Texture
Hydrafacials may improve overall skin texture over a few treatments. A small study of 20 participants found that hydradermabrasion reduced fine lines, pore size, and skin discoloration after six treatments compared to the control group.8
May Improve Acne
Another small-scale study of 20 participants found that a hydrafacial clarifying treatment using glycolic acid and salicylic acid improved mild to moderate acne after six treatments.9 The treatments reduced congestion, redness, and oiliness in the skin.10 Researchers and participants agreed that the skin was healthier and more vibrant, with fewer lesions and inflammation.11
Are Hydrafacials Worth It?
Some people hail the hydrafacial benefits as revolutionary for the skin, but is it worth it? Data show it is effective, but other experts suggest it may be an expensive, hyped-up facial.
Cost
The cost of a hydrafacial varies depending on your location and your skin professional’s experience. However, the basic treatment often starts between $200 and $350 and may increase with each booster or active product you add.12
Effectiveness
A few studies show that hydrafacial treatments may benefit the skin, from better skin texture and fine lines to improvement in acne.13 However, these studies were small, with only a few participants, and one was conducted by the HydraFacial brand itself, suggesting potential for conflict.14
In addition, some experts suggest that the treatment is no better than a regular facial.15 Microdermabrasion, for example, uses blades and other tools to remove skin cells.16 In their opinion, a jet stream of water with some suction doesn’t exfoliate better than a brush, blade, or crystals.17
Given the cost, experts say the hydrafacial is simply an ultra-expensive facial.18 Others say hydrafacials between laser treatments are an excellent way to enhance and maintain results.19
Get more expert insight on trending skin treatments. Explore articles from My Skin Treatment.
SOURCES:
- Real Self: “HydraFacial: What You Need to Know.”
- Real Self: “HydraFacial: What You Need to Know.”
- Skin Deep Laser MD: “Is Hydrafacial Worth It?”
- Healthline: “What Is a HydraFacial and How Does It Work?”
- Skin Deep Laser MD: “Is Hydrafacial Worth It?”
- Real Self: “HydraFacial: What You Need to Know.”
- Mayo Clinic: “Chemical peel.”
- Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology: “Hydradermabrasion: an innovative modality for nonablative facial rejuvenation.”
- Journal of Clinical and Aesthetic Dermatology: “Efficacy and Tolerability of HydraFacial Clarifying Treatment Series in the Treatment of Active Acne Vulgaris.”
- Journal of Clinical and Aesthetic Dermatology: “Efficacy and Tolerability of HydraFacial Clarifying Treatment Series in the Treatment of Active Acne Vulgaris.”
- Journal of Clinical and Aesthetic Dermatology: “Efficacy and Tolerability of HydraFacial Clarifying Treatment Series in the Treatment of Active Acne Vulgaris.”
- Skin Deep Laser MD: “Is Hydrafacial Worth It?”
- Journal of Clinical and Aesthetic Dermatology: “Efficacy and Tolerability of HydraFacial Clarifying Treatment Series in the Treatment of Active Acne Vulgaris.”
- Journal of Clinical and Aesthetic Dermatology: “Efficacy and Tolerability of HydraFacial Clarifying Treatment Series in the Treatment of Active Acne Vulgaris.”
- Skin Deep Laser MD: “Is Hydrafacial Worth It?”
- Skin Deep Laser MD: “Is Hydrafacial Worth It?”
- Skin Deep Laser MD: “Is Hydrafacial Worth It?”
- Skin Deep Laser MD: “Is Hydrafacial Worth It?”
- Real Self: “HydraFacial: What You Need to Know.”