Exfoliation is a crucial step in every skincare routine. There are multiple forms of exfoliation like physical, chemical, and other services provided by skincare clinics. Exfoliation will improve your skin texture, create a radiant glow, and slow aging.
You can exfoliate the skin at home with a chemical or physical exfoliant. A physical exfoliant incorporates manual sloughing, usually with microbeads. Meanwhile, a chemical exfoliant is popularly found in serums with AHAs, BHAs, or PHAs.
However, what if you’re disappointed in at-home exfoliation? Thankfully, spas as well as aesthetic and dermatology clinics offer a professional alternative. The most well-known exfoliation service provided by skincare professionals is microdermabrasion.
Microdermabrasions provide numerous benefits for the skin and use crystals to exfoliate the top layer of the skin. However, they may have a new competitor, as hydrodermabrasions are also rising in popularity.
What is a hydrodermabrasion, and how does it compare to a microdermabrasion? A hydrodermabrasion is much gentler than a microdermabrasion, and they use different tools to exfoliate the skin. However, they offer similar benefits and results.
Keep reading to discover the magic of hydrodermabrasions and how they can help you achieve the skin of your dreams!
What Is A Hydrodermabrasion?
A hydrodermabrasion is an exfoliation service offered in many spas/clinics. It is much gentler on the skin than microdermabrasion because it doesn’t use microcrystals. Instead, it uses water or a solution and oxygen to remove dead skin from the surface lightly.
Some hydrodermabrasions even uses serums containing chemical exfoliants like Glycolic Acid. Besides eliminating dead skin, a hydrodermabrasion can also infuse hydration back into the skin. So, you should be left with youthful and glowly results.
Hydrodermabrasion is safe for all skin types, but they are especially great for sensitive skin. Microdermabrasion can be abrasive on some skin types, so a hydrodermabrasion is recommended for those with susceptible skin types.
HydraFacial Vs. Hydrodermabrasion
Are Hydrafacials and Hydrodermabrasions the same service?
Well, a hydrodermabrasion is the procedure for HydroFacials and HydraFacials. Some spas or clinics will list HydraFacials/HydroFacials that are carried out by hydrodermabrasion technology.
According to the FAQ section of one skincare clinic, Elegancy Beauty Bar, “a HydroFacial is a wet microdermabrasion treatment. It is also referred to as a hydrodermabrasion or a HydroFacial.”
So a hydrodermabrasion can be described as the process of exfoliation for Hydra/HydroFacials. However, in most clinics and spas, there isn’t much of a difference between the HydraFacial and a hydrodermabrasion.
Because there are too many skincare treatments to keep track of these days, ask your esthetician or derm what facials use the hydrodermabrasion technology. Hydrodermabrasion can have different terms, so it’s always good to double-check.
Process Of A Hydrodermabrasion
A hydrodermabrasion can offer similar results to a microdermabrasion. However, their most significant differences are the devices used to exfoliate.
For example, microdermabrasion exfoliates the skin with microcrystals, and mydrodermabrasion uses water.
A hydrodermabrasion service can last anywhere between 30-60 minutes. The length of the service will vary by clinic and if you pair a hydrodermabrasion with other treatments. Once you are prepped for your hydrodermabrasion, it’s time to get to work.
A hydrodermabrasion also uses a specific device like microdermabrasion to exfoliate the skin. This device will spray the skin with water, oxygen, or a hydro-serum to gently slough away dead skin. These micro-water droplets will reveal a revitalized complexion.
Then your esthetician, dermatologist, or licensed skincare professional will wrap up your service by moisturizing the skin or following it up with another treatment.
Benefits Of A Hydrodermabrasion
We know that a hydrodermabrasion and a microdermabrasion use different technology to exfoliate the face.
However, they both provide similar benefits for the skin. One advantage of receiving a hydrodermabrasion is that it’s gentler than a microdermabrasion.
Hydrodermabrasions can promote cell turnover and slow signs of aging. For example, hydrodermabrasion can reduce the appearance of pores, fine lines, and wrinkles. It will generally improve your overall skin texture.
Another benefit that hydrodermabrasion can provide is blood circulation and lymphatic drainage. Because it’s less abrasive than microdermabrasions, a hydrodermabrasion is ideal for sensitive, acne-prone, and oily skin types.
Other benefits include reducing the appearance of discoloration like acne scarring or melasma.
How Often Can You Get A Hydrodermabrasion?
You may notice some slight improvements in your skin immediately after a hydrodermabrasion. However, like most skin treatments, you will need time and consistency to reap maximum benefits. You can see actual results with consistent use.
So, how often can you get a hydrodermabrasion? Well, it will depend on your esthetician, dermatologist, or skincare provider carrying out these treatments. They know what your skin can handle and the characteristics of its current state.
It will also vary by clinic. On average, you can get a hydrodermabrasion every 2-4 weeks. Some esthetic centers will even recommend getting them monthly. However, everyone’s skincare journey is different, so check with your provider.
Side Effects Of Hydrodermabrasion
One of the main reasons hydrodermabrasion and microdermabrasion services are so popular is that there are little to no side effects. A hydrodermabrasion usually doesn’t require any downtime, and there are no significant side effects.
A microdermabrasion may leave you looking a little pink. The microcrystals are more abrasive than water in a hydrodermabrasion. However, regardless of what service you choose, you can immediately go about your life like you usually would afterward.
However, you may need to provide some extra care for your skin. Like any skincare treatment, you’ll want to avoid direct sunlight and keep a consistent skincare routine. Aftercare is necessary following any skincare treatment, and we will touch on it later on.
Results
What should you expect after receiving a hydrodermabrasion? You may notice immediately after your treatment your skin looks hydrated and firm. You may even receive a radiant glow because all the dead skin from the surface is gone.
With long-term use, you’ll notice that hydrodermabrasion will diminish signs of aging and help increase cell turnover. However, your results will only be as good as your skincare routine out-of-office and how frequently you get a hydrodermabrasion.
Thankfully, it’s a gentle service that is suitable for all skin types, especially those who are sensitive or have problematic skin. There are little to no side effects or downtime, and you can follow this service up with a gentle skincare routine or another treatment.
What Is A Microdermabrasion?
We’ve spoken about microdermabrasions earlier, but what exactly is a microdermabrasion? We know it is an exfoliation treatment that uses microcrystals to sweep dead skin from the face, for starters. It’s an accessible and minimally invasive service.
According to Healthline, “the procedure uses a special applicator with an abrasive surface to gently sand away the thick outer layer of the skin to rejuvenate it.” The overall purpose of a microdermabrasion is to promote a healthy skin texture.
Like a hydrodermabrasion, a microdermabrasion will also target signs of aging, acne, and dryness and reveal an improved skin texture. However, there are multiple types of microdermabrasion. Each one uses a different crystal attachment to exfoliate the skin.
Types Of Microdermabrasion
Most microdermabrasion services will use microcrystals or a diamond-tip handpiece to slough away dead skin. These are known as a crystal microdermabrasion and a diamond-tip handpiece. Each has its own purpose and functions for exfoliating.
A diamond-tip microdermabrasion will gently eliminate dead cells off the skin’s surface with the help of suction. The suction is even mild enough to use on delicate facial areas. However, the more pressure that’s applied, the more abrasive the exfoliation.
A crystal microdermabrasion will exfoliate the skin with the help of microcrystals. Instead of suctioning dead skin, this microdermabrasion will gently smooth away cells from the outer surface layer with fine crystals.
The main difference between these microdermabrasion services and a hydrodermabrasion is that the hydrodermabrasion is free of any type of crystals. Instead, we mentioned it uses a combo of water, oxygen, saline solution, or hydro serums.
Process Of A Microdermabrasion
The process of a microdermabrasion is similar to a hydrodermabrasion. Your microdermabrasion will either use the diamond-tip handpiece or the microcrystals to exfoliate the skin. Overall, it will be a simple and minimally-invasive treatment.
On average, a microdermabrasion can take 30-45 minutes to complete. However, it can vary for many reasons. For example, you may have paired a microdermabrasion with another treatment, or your skincare provider has tailored the exfoliation to your skin’s needs.
According to Healthline, “your provider will use a handheld device to gently spray on the particles or sand away the outer layer of the skin in the targeted areas. At the end of the treatment, a moisturizer as well as sunscreen will be applied to your skin.”
Benefits Of A Microdermabrasion
Surprisingly enough, a microdermabrasion offers similar benefits that a hydrodermabrasion provides. It’s crucial to remember that these services have a similar exfoliation process but use different devices to get the end result.
A microdermabrasion will also work to improve your skin’s texture and increase cell turnover. This will lead to numerous benefits like youthful skin, a bright complexion, and lightened discoloration.
Microdermabrasions are also safe for all skin types. However, it can be a little harsh if your skin is sensitive or you are dealing with blemishes. To find out if a microdermabrasion will work for your skin, it’s always best to consult with a dermatologist.
How Often Can You Get A Microdermabrasion?
How frequently you get a microdermabrasion will be determined by a few factors. For example, these timelines will vary by clinic or the state of your skin and its needs. We mentioned that everyone’s skin journey would be different and tailored to your requirements.
Like hydrodermabrasions, a microdermabrasion is usually safe to get every 2-4 weeks or even monthly. It’s crucial to note that this is just an average wait time and you should always check with your dermatologist for their advice.
However, you will need to be consistent with your microdermabrasion appointments if you want to see accurate results. With consistency, you’ll see long-term effects. You may notice a few differences immediately after your service, like a radiant or firm complexion.
Side Effects Of Microdermabrasion
We mentioned earlier that microdermabrasion and hydrodermabrasion services are pretty popular because they require little to no downtime. However, because microdermabrasions are a little harsher, there could be minor side effects.
Because the Diamond-tip device incorporates suction into the exfoliation process, your skin could look red or feel a little sore. However, these symptoms will usually disappear quickly. Other than that, there is no downtime after a microdermabrasion.
However, you’ll want to follow up your microdermabrasion with the proper skincare routine to maintain your results. You might want to avoid the sun immediately after the service because your fresh skin can quickly get irritated by the rays.
Results
What results should you expect from a microdermabrasion? You may notice that your skin feels plump, hydrated, and revitalized, for starters. You might see that a lot of texture has been eliminated from the outer layer of the skin.
Your skin may even have an intense glow from the moisturizing creams and SPFs that your skincare provider applied after your treatment to protect your skin. You might see some redness or soreness if the suction was involved.
Overall, one microdermabrasion treatment will visibly improve the appearance of the skin. However, you will need to complete a few treatments within a consistent timeline to receive anti-aging benefits.
Hydrodermabrasion Vs. Microdermabrasion
Hydrodermabrasion and microdermabrasions aren’t necessarily the same service, but they offer similar results. Their application methods are very much alike. Therefore, it can also be challenging to distinguish between the two services.
Both of these exfoliating treatments offer little to no downtime, and they can be paired with other treatments. However, consult with your skincare provider to find out how you can incorporate a hydrodermabrasion or microdermabrasion in regimen.
Similarities
No matter if you opt for a hydrodermabrasion or a microdermabrasion, they will both exfoliate the outer layer of your skin. So, they are both great options to eliminate dead skin cells, increase cell turnover, and promote a healthy complexion.
They have a similar application method. Both a hydrodermabrasion and a microdermabrasion have a special device that infuses the skin with crystals or products to slough the skin. Also, they both offer the skin the same benefits.
For example, a hydrodermabrasion and a microdermabrasion will provide anti-aging benefits. They both also reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. They are also both suitable for acne-prone skin and reduce the appearance of scarring, discoloration, and pores.
Differences
The biggest difference between a microdermabrasion and a hydrodermabrasion is that a hydrodermabrasion is crystal-free. There are different types of microdermabrasion, like diamond-tip or microcrystal microdermabrasion. Both use crystals of some sort.
However, a hydrodermabrasion will use water and oxygen to eliminate dead skin. Hydrodermabrasion can incorporate a saline solution, serums, or hydro serums to disperse into the skin and get a smooth and hydrated outcome.
Lastly, we mentioned numerous times that a hydrodermabrasion is far gentler than a microdermabrasion. While both hydrodermabrasion and microdermabrasion are safe and well-tolerated among all skin types, a hydrodermabrasion is the best for sensitive skin.
Can You Combine These Services With Other Treatments?
Because hydrodermabrasion and microdermabrasion services are minimally invasive, they can be paired with other treatments that your clinic offers. This will further customize your services to fit your skin’s needs.
To find out which services are best to pair with a hydrodermabrasion or microdermabrasion, consult with your skin care specialist. They should be licensed professionals who can quickly analyze your skin and what it can tolerate.
Overall, you can pair hydrodermabrasions or microdermabrasion with other services to enhance your different results. For example, maybe you need more hydration, or you want to combat aging with other methods.
Should You Get A Hydrodermabrasion?
Hydrodermabrasions are suitable for any skin type. However, they are especially beneficial for those with sensitive or problematic skin. It won’t be as harsh as a microdermabrasion because it’s a crystal-free method to exfoliate the skin.
Instead, a hydrodermabrasion will slough away the outer layer of the skin with a combination of water, oxygen, and a hydro-serum. So, you can also expect to feel rejuvenated and moisturized after your treatment is complete.
Overall, this is a beautiful exfoliation service for beginners if you find microdermabrasions to be intense.
Should You Get A Microdermabrasion?
You can perform microdermabrasions on all skin types too. However, it will be ideal for those looking for a more intense exfoliation that hydrodermabrasion can’t supply. If your skin takes treatments well, microdermabrasions will be great.
While there is little to no downtime or side effects, you may notice redness or feel tender after a microdermabrasion, mainly if you use the Diamond-tip. This is because the Diamond-tip involves a suction to sweep away dead skin and is slightly abrasive.
A microdermabrasion will eventually slow signs of aging and reveal a youthful complexion with consistent use. It can minimize the appearance of pores and discoloration so that you can achieve an even skin tone.
Aftercare
How can you add hydrodermabrasion and microdermabrasion into your skincare routine? Like most treatments, you’ll only see long-term results if you nourish your skin daily in between your appointments. Together you will notice an immaculate difference.
One thing that is crucial to incorporate into your routine is sunscreen. Regardless of what treatment you choose, you need to protect the skin from the sun. Otherwise, you’ll risk irritating your skin, increasing the signs of aging, and texture will reappear.
So, your hydrodermabrasion and microdermabrasion results will only be as good as your aftercare and consistency. You can incorporate these treatments in your beauty regimen monthly or as often as your provider recommends.
Hydrodermabrasion
The aftercare for a hydrodermabrasion should fit your skin type and concerns. However, regardless of your skin type, you should focus on keeping your skin moisturized. If the skin is dehydrated, it can also lead to fine lines on the face.
It’s crucial to incorporate sunscreen, especially if your hydrodermabrasion uses a chemical exfoliant like Glycolic Acid to get rid of dead skin. Chemical exfoliants can increase your skin’s sensitivity to the sun and cause unwanted irritation or damage.
Microdermabrasion
The aftercare for a microdermabrasion is similar to a hydrodermabrasion. You’ll want to focus on hydration and suncare to protect the skin from the sun and reap all the benefits from your treatments.
We’ve mentioned how microdermabrasions can be a little more abrasive than hydrodermabrasions. So, you can also focus on repairing your skin barrier with Ceramides. Ceramides also promote a healthy skin complexion free of imperfections.
Consult A Derm/Skin Care Professional
Always consult your esthetician or dermatologist for advice; especially if you’re regularly performing microdermabrasion or hydrodermabrasion treatments. They can also create an ideal skincare routine so you can nourish your face post-treatment.
Final Thoughts
Overall, microdermabrasion and hydrodermabrasion treatments are effective exfoliation services that require no downtime. There are very little side effects, and both offer very similar outcomes.
The main difference between a microdermabrasion and hydrodermabrasion is that hydrodermabrasion treatments are crystal-free. Microdermabrasions incorporate Diamond-tip or microcrystals to sweep away the outer layer of the skin.
Meanwhile, a hydrodermabrasion uses water, oxygen, hydro-serums, and other products to exfoliate. Hydrodermabrasion treatments are gentle enough for sensitive and problematic skin types.
Both of these treatments can be performed monthly or as often as directed by your skincare provider. You will need to do these treatments consistently to notice any long-term results.
Lastly, both hydrodermabrasion and microdermabrasion offer similar benefits. For example, they both combat signs of aging and reduce the appearance of pores, discoloration, and scarring.
They both promote cell turnover, and a brighten, even complexion. So now you can finally kiss unwanted texture and dull skin tones goodbye!
What are your thoughts on hydrodermabrasion and microdermabrasion treatments? Would you add any of these to your beauty regimen?
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