It’s another social media trend – HydraFacials. So, what is a HydraFacial, what are the benefits, and are they worth it? 

What is a HydraFacial?

We’re all on a quest to look and feel our best with bright and soft skin. HydraFacials could be the key to glowing skin that you feel great in.

A HydraFacial is a patented skin treatment that involves three steps, undertaken in dedicated salons. It’s sometimes also known as ‘hydradermabrasion’. HydraFacials involve a combination of exfoliation akin to microdermabrasion, combined with the use of serums to richly hydrate the skin. 

The three HydraFacial steps are:

• Deep cleansing
• Exfoliation
• Hydration

Many people choose a HydraFacial for acne, but it can be used for any skin type and claims to help with many skin conditions including dryness.

HydraFacials are non-invasive. The beautician will use a mechanised wand that deeply cleanses your skin, before exfoliating and then applying serum. They aren’t cosmetic procedures, but rather another kind of facial that you can get at a spa. That said, fans of HydraFacials say that they get better results with HydraFacials than with microdermabrasion! 

HydraFacial benefits

Of course, the buzz is around HydraFacial benefits. Those providing HydraFacials claim that they improve the skin in terms of appearance, tone and texture. It can deeply cleanse pores, removing the dirt and dead skin cells that lie behind break ups. HydraFacial treatments are also said to enable face oils to penetrate more effectively. 

It’s important to point out that there are no actual scientific results we can draw on when talking about HydraFacial benefits. However, microdermabrasion does have reasonable backing, especially for treatment of acne, so it’s possible that some of these benefits of HydraFacials are the same.

At UpCircle, we are big fans of exfoliating, knowing all too well that it is one of your best weapons for clear and bright skin. 

How much is a HydraFacial?

A HydraFacial is done using a patented wand by a dedicated aesthetician. As such, these are spa treatments which don’t come cheaply. Look to spend around £150-£250 for a 30 minute treatment. The price varies according to where you have the treatment and the oils used. 

It’s not a cheap treatment at all, but some people find it more cost effective than regular microdermabrasion. Microdermabrasion doesn’t use oils, but it may be more effective for reducing the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles.

HydraFacial side effects

Generally speaking, being non-invasive, HydraFacials are low risk and there are few side effects. You shouldn’t experience any pain or redness. However, some experts say that you should avoid getting a HydraFacial treatment if you have a rash, such as an active rosacea flare.

There is a chance that a HydraFacial may actually trigger a breakout as your skin adjusts and cleanses itself. Overall, however, HydraFacials claim to reduce breakouts. You will also need to tell the beautician if you have any allergies, particularly to any serum ingredients.

HydraFacial aftercare

As with all spa treatments, to get the most from your treatment, it’s worth understanding what aftercare you should follow. HydraFacials should bring you immediate results, but it’s useful to know what to do after your treatment.

A HydraFacial typically takes around half an hour and you can walk straight out – there’s no recovery or downtime needed. You can go about your normal life straight away. However, a HydraFacial is quite an extreme exfoliation, so avoid home exfoliating treatments for a few days to prevent any irritation. 

HydraFacial experts recommend that you go for a treatment every two to four weeks.

Is a HydraFacial worth it?

When it comes to salon treatments the big question is often ‘is it worth it?’ and that’s particularly applicable when it feels like something is the latest fad. We’re not here to tell anyone what they should or shouldn’t do, but HydraFacials are pretty expensive and in our opinion don’t bring benefits over and above what you can achieve with a good home skincare routine. For similar results, we recommend:

Double cleansing

The trick to removing dirt and grime (that provokes breakouts) is double cleansing. First, use a gentle cleanser, such as our Cleansing Face Balm with Apricot Powder, to wash away the cares of the day including make-up. Then, double cleanse using our Cleansing Face Milk with Oat Powder + Aloe Vera to hydrate and nourish the face.

Exfoliate

To achieve an at-home version of a HydraFacial, exfoliation is the headline act. Really concentrate on a regular exfoliation routine. Exfoliation buffs away dead skin cells and stimulates healing circulation to your skin. This helps your skin look more vibrant and youthful, even minimising the appearance of fine lines. 

Our Coffee Face Scrubs are all natural, with caffeine to help pep up your complexion. Furthermore, we’ve got different scrubs according to your skin type. For example, choose our Coffee Face Scrub Citrus Blend for dry skin or our Coffee Face Scrub Herbal Blend for people with acne.

Aim to exfoliate your skin twice per week for best results. Use a gentle circular motion and wash off completely. 

Moisturise

Lastly, to achieve similar home effects to a HydraFacial, concentrate on effective moisturising – including if you are prone to acne. Keeping your skin hydrated makes it appear firm, supple and youthful. 

There should be two parts to your moisturising routine: moisturiser itself and also face oil. Often, people skip the oil, but in our opinion, it is your skincare secret weapon that everyone should use to improve their skin’s health.

Choose a Vitamin E rich moisturiser, but also use an Eye Cream and Night Cream for deep hydration that meets the needs of your skin. Our Face Oil contains coffee oil for vibrancy but is also rich in Vitamin C to nourish and protect your skin.

HydraFacial benefits over home skincare

It’s always a matter of personal choice when it comes to choosing costly spa treatments over at-home approaches. In reality, your skin needs daily TLC and spa treatments can’t deliver that. Even if you opt for HydraFacials, pair them with excellent natural home skin care from UpCircle.