What Is a HydraFacial? How It Works, What It Treats, and Why It Is So Popular
- klosik
- Nov 18
- 7 min read
Written by Trent Townsend, LE
IN THIS BLOG POST:
HydraFacial Basics: Why This Device Treatment Stands Out
Have you looked through a med spa menu and wondered what a Hydrafacial is? Today, we’ll break down what makes the Hydrafacial an industry staple and why it is such a special treatment.
Though a basic facial has immense benefits and is vital to skin health, a Hydrafacial takes it to the next level. Hydrafacial combines all of the most beneficial parts of other facials and turns them all into one smooth and easy delivery system.
What is a Hydrafacial?
A Hydrafacial is an aesthetic device that combines the properties of microdermabrasion and dermal infusion. Hydrafacial utilizes specialized tips to achieve different goals, tailored to the level of exfoliation your skin requires, in combination with chemical exfoliation. This comprehensive treatment will simultaneously extract, exfoliate, and infuse.
What Are The Benefits Of A Hydrafacial?
HydraFacial is one of the most effective and universally loved treatments for achieving smooth, hydrated, and glowing skin. This three-in-one treatment deeply cleanses, exfoliates, and infuses the skin with nourishing serums in a single session, delivering instant and noticeable results.
The Benefits of a Hydrafacial:
Reduces congestion
Clears blackheads
Minimizes the appearance of fine lines
Improves texture and tone without irritation or downtime
Customizable and able to target specific concerns such as dehydration, breakouts, or pigmentation with specialized boosters
The result of a Hydrafacial is skin that looks refreshed, feels balanced, and maintains a lasting healthy glow.
Who Is An Ideal Candidate For A Hydrafacial?
One of the best things about HydraFacial is that it’s safe and beneficial for nearly every skin type and age. It’s ideal for those who want to address dullness, dryness, congestion, or early signs of aging without irritation or recovery time. Sensitive, acne-prone, and even mature skin types can all benefit because the treatment can be tailored to individual needs.
Whether you’re preparing for a big event, doing wedding prep, maintaining your monthly skincare routine, or simply wanting to refresh your complexion, a HydraFacial can help you achieve smoother, more radiant skin with immediate, visible results.
Step-by-Step HydraFacial Treatment Process
Step 1: Lymphatic Drainage
The first step of your treatment is lymphatic drainage. We use a lymphatic drainage device that is built into the Hydrafacial. Lymphatic drainage is beneficial for detoxification, facial slimming, and decreasing swelling. This is painless and is the perfect introduction to your treatment.
Step 2: Activ-4 Cleanse
Next, we will use the Activ-4 cleansing serum from Hydrafacial in conjunction with the Hydrafacial handpiece. The Hydrafacial handpiece uses patented technology to dive deeper than the skin’s surface and remove any dirt or debris that may still be on the skin's surface, even after using a facial cleanser.
The cleansing serum includes ingredients such as Glucosamine HCL, which is proven to accelerate wound healing and improve hydration.
Activ-4 also includes lactic acid, which is a lightly exfoliating acid that is also a humectant, meaning it will work to attract and retain moisture in the skin.
Step 3: Gentle Chemical Peel Options For Different Skin Types
The next step in the Hydrafacial includes a low-level chemical peel that is tailored to your skin type and needs. This chemical peel typically uses a 50/50 combination of Salicylic Acid and Glycolic Acid, but we also have a Lactic Acid mix we use for more sensitive skin types or those focusing primarily on addressing moisture in the skin.
These chemical peels are painless – they have a little ‘sting” factor which will last a minute or two before your provider neutralizes and peels with water, returning your skin to baseline.
Step 4: Painless Extractions
After your peel, it’s time for painless extractions. Now that we have perfectly prepped your skin to expel any comedones or debris from pores, Hydrafacial extractions are painless.
While still using the device, we’ll switch over to Hydrafacials ‘Extract’ serum. During this step, the suction on the device is heightened slightly, enhancing the benefits of cleansing inside the pore and getting all the unwanted ‘gunk’ out of your pores for a clean slate. This serum includes Salicylic Acid and Willow Bark Extract.
Salyicylic acid is a BHA. BHAs, or Beta-Hydroxy Acids, are oil-soluble, meaning they do more than just sit atop your skin and make you look shiny– they go past water, gunk, and oil to effectively clean inside of the pore. Willow Bark Extract is the ying to Salicylic’s yang. Willow Bark Extract will help with barrier support and calm the skin.
Step 5: Targeted Boosters For Hydration or Breakouts
Once extractions are complete, it’s time to boost your skin with what it needs. Your provider will hand-select a Hydrafacial booster based on your concerns.
Most of my patients are dealing with either hydration issues or active breakouts. For hydration, I’ll use a booster that includes Hyaluronic Acid in some form. Hyaluronic acid boosts hydration at a molecular level and helps to bring your skin back to a glowing, hydrated state.
For breakouts, I tend to reach for the Murad Clarifying Booster. This booster includes Salicylic Acid and Green Tea Extract. These ingredients work synergistically to both exfoliate, cleanse, and calm irritation.
Step 6: LED Light Therapy
Once the booster is applied to the skin, your provider will place you under an LED light therapy mask to allow the booster to set in, as well as to gain benefits from LED light therapy, such as stimulating collagen production, reducing inflammation, bringing down redness, and reducing fine lines. After ‘baking’ under the LED light, we’ll finish up your treatment.
Step 7: Antiox+ Infusion
The final step using our Hydrafacial device will be to infuse Hydrafacial Antiox+ serum. This serum includes a Brightening Complex, which will help to brighten the appearance of the skin and give you that perfect glow when you walk out of the treatment room. It also includes Hyaluronic Acid, which helps boost hydration in the skin.
With that, our Hydrafacial treatment is complete. Your provider will top off the treatment with a fresh layer of SPF and a lip mask.
HydraFacial Aftercare and Treatment Frequency
What Should I Avoid After Getting A Hydrafacial?
After getting a Hydrafacial, avoid any harsh exfoliants for 4-7 days, depending on your skin’s tolerability. On the evening of your treatment, cleanse with a gentle cleanser and apply a basic moisturizer that contains no active exfoliating agents.
How Often Should I Get A Hydrafacial?
For optimal results with Hydrafacial, schedule your treatment every 4-6 weeks to keep pace with your skin’s natural cycle of cell turnover.
What Else Should I Keep In Mind When Getting A Hydrafacial?
It is imperative that you invest in a customized skincare routine from your provider that is curated to your skin and concerns in order to maintain your skin health and fight aging beyond just your Hydrafacial treatment.
Book Your HydraFacial In Kansas City At Horizon Med Spa And Wellness
If you are interested in a Hydrafacial, book your appointment online at Horizon Med Spa and Wellness or call either location (Kansas City or Shawnee) to book your schedule with a provider.
Frequently Asked Questions About HydraFacials
What is a HydraFacial and how does it work?
A HydraFacial is a device-based facial that cleanses, exfoliates, extracts, and infuses skin in one treatment. Patented vortex technology removes debris while serums hydrate and brighten for an immediate glow.
What skin concerns does a HydraFacial help with?
HydraFacial targets dehydration, dullness, congestion, blackheads, uneven texture, and the appearance of fine lines. It improves clarity and radiance for most skin types, including sensitive skin.
Is a HydraFacial painful and is there downtime?
HydraFacial is comfortable and non-invasive with no downtime. Most patients describe gentle suction and a light tingle during the peel step, then leave with fresh, hydrated skin.
How often should I get a HydraFacial for best results?
Most patients schedule a HydraFacial every four to six weeks to align with the skin’s natural cell turnover. Monthly maintenance helps sustain hydration, clarity, and glow.
What should I avoid after a HydraFacial?
Avoid harsh exfoliants and strong actives for four to seven days depending on your tolerance. Use a gentle cleanser, a basic moisturizer, and daily SPF to protect results.
Which boosters are best for my skin during a HydraFacial?
Your provider will select boosters based on your goals. Hyaluronic acid boosters support hydration, while clarifying boosters with salicylic acid and green tea help reduce breakouts and calm irritation.
About Kimberly Losik
Owner of Horizon Med Spa and Wellness
Kimberly Losik, a board certified nurse practitioner, is the Founder, Owner and Medical Director of Horizon Med Spa and Wellness. Kimberly has earned multiple degrees including a bachelors in Kinesiology, a bachelors in Nursing, as well as a Masters in Nursing. For over a decade, she has earned experience in Orthopedics, Geriatrics, Internal medicine, Medical weight loss, aesthetics and anti-aging medicine.
Her passion to help patients look and feel like the best version of themselves was the foundation of Horizon Med Spa, which began in early 2020. Since then, she has attended numerous trainings, conferences and seminars to continue to offer patients the best solutions Additionally, she is a clinical trainer for the company Inmode, an internationally recognized leader in the aesthetic industry.
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