The most loved celebrity facial in NYC – Hydrafacial MD

A peel with no skin shedding, extractions with no pain, results with no downtime?! Skincare trends are ever-changing, but one facial that continues to produce patient and celebrity-loved results time and time again is the notorious Hydrafacial MD. This comprehensive 4-step facial helps click the reset button for your skin giving it a deep cleanse, leaving you clear and glowing. 

The Hydrafacial is a medical-grade facial that consists of four vital skincare steps: cleanse, peel, extract, and hydrate, all combined into a 30-minute treatment making it an ideal NYC lunchtime procedure. Best of all, it is safe for and customizable to all skin types including sensitive skin. Hydrafacials have various benefits such as:

• Treats existing and prevents future breakouts
• Helps even skin tone and texture
• Hydrates and plumps to smooth fine lines and wrinkles

What sets a Hydrafacial apart from other facials is both the technology as well as the combination of ingredients. Unlike your typical facial, this is not done by hand. Instead, a medical-grade handpiece with patented tips is used to exfoliate the skin while the vortex fusion technology infuses serums to treat specific skin concerns, a process called “hydradermabrasion”. This differs from traditional microdermabrasion as it not only uses an abrasive tip to exfoliate the skin and slough away dead skin cells, but it simultaneously infuses water and other nourishing ingredients into the skin to avoid any dryness and irritation that often occurs with microdermabrasion. This type of exfoliation is great preparation for an event as it smooths and hydrates the skin making a perfect canvas for makeup application.

The first step involves cleansing and exfoliating to remove all dead skin cells preparing the skin for the rest of the facial and infusion of ingredients. By combining a gentle cleanser with effective ingredients such as glucosamine and lactic acid with the physically exfoliating tip, this assists in dislodging dead skin cells and hydrating the skin rather than drying it out. Compared to your average facial, this cleansing step does not involve oils or splashing water, so there is no mess involved – another one of the many reasons this facial is a favorite lunchtime procedure. 

After exfoliating, a patented “Glysal” peel is applied to the skin, which is a mix of both glycolic and salicylic acid. This comes in three different strengths – 7.5%, 15%, and 30% – making it customizable based on skin type and sensitivity and best of all, it gives you all the benefits of a chemical peel without any peeling or downtime. Glycolic acid helps to moisturize the skin and even skin tone, while the salicylic acid helps treat breakouts and balance the oils. This step of the facial also helps open up the pores preparing for the most satisfying part – extractions! 

Just like we get our teeth cleaned at the dentist, our pores need extra cleaning too! Typical facials include manual extractions, which involves squeezing and pushing on the skin leading to redness, irritation, potential scarring, and many find it very uncomfortable. But, say goodbye to painful popping and pinching because the Hydrafacial uses a special vacuum vortex technology to push water and willow bark extract into the pores and suck all of the blackheads, whiteheads, dirt, debris, sebum, and makeup out to completely clear your pores. This method saves the skin from the trauma associated with manual extractions. The Hydrafacial tip is also designed to access the hard-to-reach areas of the face such as the nose crevice, which tends to collect the most buildup. At-home skin care is crucial to achieving healthy skin, but over time our skin collects buildup that cannot be removed manually. You will be amazed at all the “gunk” (as Hydrafacial calls it) that comes out of your skin at the end of the facial! The machine has a “gunk jar” in the back that collects the liquified dead skin, blackheads, sebum, and dirt, allowing patients to physically see what came out of their skin at the end of the facial. 

Final steps of the Hydrafacial focus on hydrating, nourishing, and treating the skin. The vortex tip technology pushes serums with antioxidants, hyaluronic acid, and growth factors into the skin, leaving you with a dewy glow. Hydrafacial also partnered with other skincare brands to create booster serums that target specific skin concerns such as redness, dryness, wrinkles and hyperpigmentation allowing your aesthetician to fully customize your facial based on your skin type and concerns. All in all, the Hydrafacial MD is an all-in-one facial that rejuvenates the skin and delivers results without leaving it red like many other facials and procedures. 

NYC is a hub for so many popular events such as the Met Gala, Grammys and New York Fashion Week, and for over a decade, Hydrafacial has helped prepare so many stars for their glamorous, glowing look. Skin care is the most important part of creating flawless makeup. Thanks to Hydrafacial, the combination of the deep exfoliation and hydration creates a smooth, clean, hydrated canvas for makeup to sit on top of the skin preventing any flaking or cracking.  Celebrities such as Amy Poehler, Paris Hilton, Cardi B, and Kate Winslet are huge fans of this red-carpet worthy facial as it is quick, effective, and completely customizable. Because Hydrafacial MD provides an immediate glow, celebrities can leave the dermatologist paparazzi ready. Jennifer Lopez, an avid Hydrafacial fan who is infamous for her glowing skin, partnered with Hydrafacial earlier this year to create her own booster serum. This nutrient-rich booster combines ingredients such as olive leaf extract, niacinamide, and a fermented adaptogen blend to tighten, brighten, and hydrate the skin giving you that “JLo Glow”. Hydrafacial has created over 20 booster serums with top skincare brands such as ZoSkin Health, Murad, Sente and many more to help further personalize the treatment increasing its benefits. 

Here at the Dermatology and Laser Group in NYC, Dr. Akhavan recommends Hydrafacials for those who are looking to renew, clear, and hydrate their skin, but also those who wish to “reset” their skin before starting a new skincare regimen. By removing all the buildup of makeup, dirt and previous products, the Hydrafacial will prepare your skin for new products and allow them to penetrate deeply for maximum results. The Hydrafacial MD is often combined with other treatments and modalities such as oxygen treatments, radiofrequency devices, LED light, and lasers to maximize the results and benefits by removing the built-up impurities prior to treatment. 

Consistency is key with any skincare regimen. One Hydrafacal will make you glow and give you some temporary benefits but to really optimize your results, it is best to get them once a month. Here at the Dermatology and Laser Group, we have a handful of long-time patients who have been coming religiously once a month for Hydrafacials and the difference in their skin is truly incredible. As part of a patient’s complete anti-aging plan, Dr. Akhavan often suggests incorporating Hydrafacials in between procedures to ensure proper exfoliation, further enhance skin tone and texture, and provide maximum hydration throughout the course of treatments. Patients love the convenience of a Hydrafacial, especially in NYC when everyone is on the grind and many do not have the time for any downtime but still want to see results. This promising facial will have you leaving our office with an immediate glow. Come try it for yourself here at the Dermatology and Laser Group!

By Arash Akhavan, MD, FAAD | February 7th, 2023 | Categories: Surgical Dermatology