HydraFacial MD®
How It Works
Come get the best skin of your life when you experience the wildly popular HydraFacial MD®, a treatment that uses three actions that contribute to the exfoliation, resurfacing and nourishment of the skin. First, we physical exfoliate the skin from water pressure and a textured tip. Second, we chemically exfoliate the skin from acids such as glycolic and salicylic. Third, we suction the dead skin cells off the surface. Then the best part of the treatment: we infuse your skin with hydrating serums using the pressurized device.
You may further enhance your HydraFacial MD® treatment with the addition of LED light therapy (red to calm skin, or blue to address acne). As well, we offer various specialized serums for eyes, lips, and other skin conditions like rosacea, acne, or mature skin.
The entire process is completely customizable and designed to provide products and serums that address a variety of skin types and conditions. Your provider will help you select the best treatment for your skin.
The Science Behind The Treatment
An important step in any effective skincare treatment involves resurfacing the top layer of skin. One common resurfacing procedure, microdermabrasion, uses a diamond tipped instrument or micro-crystals to mechanically exfoliate the skin. While microdermabrasion is very effective, it can also be irritating for acne-prone or sensitive skin.
HydraFacial MD® uses water rather than micro-crystals or a diamond tip as the exfoliating medium. However it goes beyond microdermabrasion. The multi-step treatment cleanses, exfoliates, and extracts dead skin cells. It then bathes the skin in serums packed with rich hydrating ingredients, antioxidants, and peptides. In addition to the basic serums, you can work with your provider to further customize your HydraFacial MD® by incorporating add-ons or boosters to target your specific skin concerns.
How to Prepare
We can perform the HydraFacial MD® on all skin types, including very sensitive skin. The HydraFacial MD® treatment is unique because it is highly customizable. Add-ons vary and include serums for rosacea prone skin, for mature skin, for acne prone skin, as well as LED lights to calm skin and to target acne.
HydraFacial MD® is on the gentler side of the facial treatment spectrum. Clients who require deeper resurfacing may achieve greater results from more intense treatments such as medical grade peels (like the TCA peel) or laser treatments (like Fraxel).
Even though HydraFacial MD® is relatively gentle, there are certain skin conditions such as chronic rosacea and severe acne that preclude receiving any treatment. Individuals with a contact allergy to shellfish should avoid getting a HydraFacial, as an ingredient found in one of the primary steps of the treatment contains shellfish extract.
What to Expect
Discontinue use of Isotretinoin for 1 month.
Please do not use the following for at least 48 hours prior to your Hydrafacial:
• any type of exfoliating treatment(s) (glycolic, enzymes)
• topical prescriptive medications
• waxing and use of depilatories
• OTC acne medications
Refrain from any medium/deep chemical resurfacing and laser treatments for 1 month.
If you are prone to cold sores, Hydrafacial may cause a breakout; please ask your provider for a prophylactic treatment such as Valtrex. You should use this medication 2 days before, during and 2 days after treatment. We can prescribe this medication for you.
For Gentlemen’s HydraFacial MD® treatment, shaving is not recommended on day of treatment. If you choose to shave, please shave at least 3-4 hours prior to your treatment.
After a HydraFacial MD® treatment, you will notice immediate results. Your skin will feel smoother, softer, and more hydrated as a result of the exfoliating acids and hydrating ingredients used. You may also notice a slight reduction in puffiness due to the lymphatic drainage. The use of nutrient-rich serums may also temporarily plump up fine lines and wrinkles, lessening their appearance. You will want to schedule regular HydraFacials in order to keep your skin in top exfoliated and hydrated condition. The best skin of your life is not a "one and done" thing - it is an ongoing commitment to treating your skin well.
What It Will Feel Like
A HydraFacial MD® follows the same steps of a basic medical facial: cleansing and exfoliation, chemical peel, extractions, and infusion of serums. We administer all four steps through various attachments on the HydraFacial MD® device.
Here is how it works: The basic 30-minute HydraFacial MD® treatment starts with a water-based solution being blasted onto your skin to break up the topmost layer of dead skin cells. Your provider uses the spiral suction tip of the HydraFacial MD® device to suction away the dead skin cells and surface debris. This is a gentler method of extraction than some other methods. Next, your provider uses the HydraFacial MD® device to infuse a chemical peel solution to increase the depth of exfoliation. Lastly, your provider uses the same pressurized system to infuse serums that are customized to the needs of your skin.
The suction and movement of the device boosts lymphatic drainage and improves circulation in the skin. This is not a “spa facial” that simply soothes and relaxes; however, there is no discomfort with the procedure – it simply feels like a tiny vacuum is lightly tugging on your skin.
Post-procedure Care
Avoid sunbathing for at least 48 hours (although we recommend this indefinitely) to prevent UV rays from damaging your skin, which slows down the benefits of HydraFacial MD®. Patients who absolutely cannot avoid sun exposure should use a broad-spectrum sunscreen with an SPF of 30 or higher to maintain your improved skin.
- Please wait 24 hours before resuming injections (neurotoxin, facial filler),
- Do not use wax or depilatories for 48 hrs.
- Avoid heat (hot showers, sauna, and intense cardio) for 24 hrs.
- If you do not need make-up for the evening of treatment, wait until the next morning.
- You may resume topical prescriptive medications and OTC acne medications in 48 hrs.