As many of you know I am a little bit obsessed with skincare. I don’t buy designer clothes or bags, I don’t have a fancy car, but I definitely will spend money on my skin. I sort of look at it as an investment, which sounds a little ridiculous after typing those words but I think you get my point. So let’s talk about the HydraFacial. I actually booked one by accident last summer. I confused it with a microcurrent facial which is TOTALLY different, but a clear indication that I was a bit of a newbie to the world of skincare treatments. Last spring when I went to visit Anthropologie HQ I had a facial at Rescue Spa in Philly (which btw I highly recommend). It was a microcurrent facial and my skin looked amazing afterwards so I thought I would book it again. Instead I booked a HydraFacial so I was a bit confused when the treatment started and I quickly realized it wasn’t the same. After the treatment though, I was shocked at how amazing my skin looked and felt. It was dewy, glowing, hydrated and felt so clean and refreshed. I started getting HydraFacials instead of regular spa facials because I couldn’t get over the difference in my skin.
Since we’re saving for another fixer upper I cut out most of my non-essential spending, so HydraFacials had to go, but last week my skin was a mess and I decided to book an appointment. The HydraFacial (and the Naturopathica Manuka Honey Cleansing Balm) brought my skin right back to normal. You can see the before and after below. The photos have absolutely no filters or editing (all shot on my iPhone so the quality isn’t as great). In the before and after I’m not wearing any make-up, the photo above is one day later with minimal make-up (I kind of went a little heavy handed with the highlighter so that’s why I’m so shiny, haha). The most noticeable differences for me with the HydraFacial are how my skin feels (hydrated, smooth, clean) and how it looks (dewy, plump, less visible pores, etc.). Is it worth the cost? To me, yes, I wouldn’t be writing this long post if it wasn’t. There are other treatments I like to do as well, light peels, microdermabrasion, regular facials (the one I did with SkinCeuticals was really good), but the one thing I love about the HydraFacial is it’s consistently good results every time.
I got a bunch of questions about the treatment on Instagram, so here is everything you need to know about the HydraFacial.
Before 
After
Q. What is a HydraFacial?
The HydraFacial is a medical grade treatment that cleanses, exfoliates and then infuses your skin with serums. The treatment is painless and typically lasts about 45+ minutes. It is an actual machine used by a trained technician (confirm this when booking your appointment because there’s some places that use the term to describe other treatments but don’t have the actual HydraFacial machine). The machine has a vacuum like hand piece that basically simultaneously cleans out your pores and infuses them with serums, often referred to as hydradermabrasion.
Q. How much does it cost?
The medical spa where I get a HydraFacial is $210 ($175 + tip). I think it depends on where you live (cities are probably more expensive) but the treatment should be around that price. Treatments can be 30-90 minutes depending on how it’s customized, so speak to the location where you’re booking the appointment about your options.
Q. How long do the results last/is there any downtime?
One of the most appealing things about a HydraFacial is there’s no downtime. In contrast to treatments like chemical peels and microdermabrasion, you leave a treatment with beautiful glowing skin (at least in my experience). I have not experienced a purging period (breakouts after the treatment), I may get one little spot but it goes away within 24 hours. It’s a really good treatment to do before an event because it leaves your skin glowing and healthy. The initial results typically last a few days, but my overall skin health is improved for several weeks to a month. I notice after about a month that my skin starts looking dull again.
Q. What type of skin it is good for?
The HydraFacial is good for pretty much anyone (***see below). Whether you have acne prone skin, super dry dehydrated skin, are trying to combat signs of aging, etc. One of my favorite things is that you get extractions without pain or redness. If you like microdermabrasion or have wanted to try it, this is a great alternative because it’s gentler and I think more effective. Chemical peels and microdermabrasion may treat different skin concerns so it’s good to consult with a professional. The HydraFacial is specifically used to target clogged pores/pore size, fine lines, dehydrated skin, hyperpigmentation, dark spots, and breakouts.
Q. Can I do HydraFacial if I have rosacea, perioral dermatitis, etc?
You should check with your doctor before doing any type of treatment if you have any specific skin conditions.
Q. Where Can I Get a HydraFacial?
If you’re local, a few salons that do HydraFacials that I’ve been to include: Avalon Medical Spa (Bristol location), Centre for Aesthetic and Reconstructive Surgery, Facial Aesthetics Center of Rhode Island. You can also check the HydraFacial website for providers near you.
Disclosure: if you buy something through the links on this blog, we may earn an affiliate commission. We only feature products we would personally recommend. Thank you for your support.
I’ve been considering HydraFacial and wow the before/after pics are amazing! You definitely convinced me that I need to try it. Perhaps a bday present for myself!
http://www.rdsobsessions.com
Just got this done last week and it was awesome! I had a few acne spots that cleared after. It also helped with acne scars! I’ve already booked another one for next week so I’m ready for my friends wedding!
This was really helpful! I’ve been contemplating a HydraFacial for a while, but I wanted a personal account of it, and it sounds like it might do the trick for my skin. Also, THANK YOU for sharing the price. I’ve read about HydraFacials from other bloggers, and for some reason, they refused to share the price when I asked. I think it was because they were partnering with a specific aesthetician and weren’t permitted to share the price for whatever reason, but I really appreciate your honesty.
Hi,
It’s interesting to read your opinion on a hydra facial. I recently got my first one at caryl baker visage (in Canada) and day one my skin looked amazing. However… as days went on my breakouts got worse and worse and worse. This has lead me to look at some reviews of the facial and I came across yours. It’s now been 2 weeks and my skin has never looked worse in my life. I have also been using new products that visage sold me (a foaming cleanser, moisturizer and mask) so I’m wondering if that’s the cause. Frustrating that I spent $400 that I don’t even really have and end up looking like this. Do you have any tips or good products you recommend?
Oh wow that’s so unfortunate. The spa I go to sells SkinCeuticals and a few other brands but I use exclusively clean beauty products. If you look under the Beauty tab on the site I share all the skincare products I use in several blog posts. But it sounds like it might be the products that are the issue?
Hi! I used to work for a great dermatologist—I know you didn’t ask ME for an opinion, but I love these products so much I am chiming in 🙂
For my dry, sensitive skin, I love Toleraine double repair moisturizer (by Laroch-Posay), and Avene’s Retrinal 0.05., then I top it with inexpensive L’Oréal Age Perfect Day Cream with SPF (the one with white lid— has less strong scent than the gold-lid cream- important for me). Try these, and I think you will love them!
Btw, not all products in these lines agree with my skin— Anthelios SPF (Laroche-posay), for example, broke me out, so be aware. Good luck!
Hydra facial is a really good and non-invasive facial treatment, it improves the texture of the skin, to reduces the wrinkles and fine lines and smooth out visible both fine and deeper wrinkles, boost blood circulation, to make your skin absorb nutrients faster and better, removes dead skin cells and exfoliates the skin, to smooth out the skin tone,this will naturally leave you feeling refreshed and rejuvenated. Improve skin conditions and issues, to hydrate dry skin and moisturizes and nourishes facial skin. Make age spots can look less visible, to nourish the skin and oxygenate it. It has fewer side effects and risks. Love it!!!
I am supposed to get my first dermaplane/hydrafacial next week. Thank u for the info!
there is a really good Boutique for different facials in NY. It’s called the Glo Skin Medi Boutique. they offer a variety of facials that really help your skin glow. they are loacted in Albertson, NY
Your skin does look really improved and glowing in the after pic! I wonder if you would be open to sharing your thoughts on this blog I wrote titled “Better than a Hydrafacial”. Would love to hear your thoughts!
https://scrub-me.com/scrubmesecrets-blog/better-than-a-hydrafacial-facial
I just used it just brought out blood spots all over my face looks horrible and I have an event tonight
This post was not only helpful with the comment issue, but had also great links to other blogs.
Some of them I will most likely keep visiting!
Thanks and greetings..
Black heads extraction on black skin
Thanks for writing this great article for us. I have gained good stuff from this website. Looking forward to your next article. I am happy to share this post to my friends. Keep it up.
Great information! Very useful!
One of the latest non-invasive facials that work to clear the skin and bring out its natural radiance is the hydrafacial. This treatment works to minimize fine lines, wrinkles, mild acne, hyper-pigmentation, clogged/enlarged pores, dark spots, and oily skin.
This treatment works with the help of a unique, spiral suction tip that sucks in the impurities so that the serum can be delivered deep into the pores of the skin.
This hydradermabrasion procedure is a multi-step treatment that helps to leave the skin well hydrated and firm while also ensuring that elasticity and radiance is restored.
Very well explained about Hydra facial. Thank you for sharing your review with pictures.
Hi….Recently I heard about hydrafacial and I was just amazed to hear its benefits. Thank you for sharing information about hydra facial. It will be helpful for all.
Bought my wife this one, she likes it!
A regular HydraFacial machine costs as little as $200, but the professional HydraFacial machine price can be as much as $1000. The hydrafacial machine price is not the only factor to consider. We recommend that you don’t compromise on quality to save money. You’re not just buying a machine. You’re investing in a beautiful face.LumBuy has a variety of cost-effective hydrafacial machines for your reference and guidance on how to buy the best hydrafacial machine. For more details, please go to https://lumbuy.com/hydrafacial-machine/.