How many of you have gushed with compliments over a friend’s glowing, clear skin only to be told “oh, I just got a HydraFacial,” and if you not surely you’ve spotted the buzzy treatment listed on every second spa and clinic’s service menu, as well being primely positioned on countless online ‘best of’ articles.
Still not ringing any bells? Then you might have seen someone share on social media post-facial a plastic tube filled with grime that’s been sucked out of their pores – well, *that’s* a HyrdaFacial.
If you’re anything like me, who can’t seem to keep blocked pores and blackheads at bay (and can’t seem to keep my hands from squeezing them), this surely simultaneously digusted and intrigued you.
Desperate to try out the HydraFacial STAT (primarily to ogle at my own jar of wonderfully gross matter) I headed to The South William Clinic & Spa, Dublin.
What’s the hype?
A HydraFacial is an hour long six step treatment designed to clean out pores and calm inflammation making it ideal for anyone struggling with blocked pores, blackheads or acne. In most clinics/spas you can also opt for a 30 minute treatment which offers steps 2-5.
What’s involved?
Just like any other, the HydraFacial starts with the therapist removing makeup and giving the skin a thorough cleanse. Throughout the treatment a special machine with a spiral tip is used – doing everything from sucking out dirt and blackheads to infusing the skin with nourishing, skin loving ingredients.
1. To start the machine is used for some gentle yet stimulating lymph drainage massage. This boosts the flow of oxygen to the cells and helps to rev up the skin’s natural process of eliminating toxins. It feels gentle and pretty relaxing.
2. The next stage involves simultaneous cleansing and exfoliating. Dead skin cells are buffed away, while a combination of lactic acid and glucosamine are pushed into pores to aid the exfoliation and boost hydration deep down.
3. The third step in the process uses a powerful mix of glycolic and salicylic acids to help loosen any leftover debris and brighten the complexion.
the therapist presented me a tube of murky water – all the debris, dirt and blackheads that had been flushed out of my pores throughout the treatment. So gross, yet so satisfying to look at.
4. Next comes extraction, the signature part of the process. This is where the spiral tip spins and sucks out blackheads and other impurities from the pores. It doesn’t feel like much, not at all harsh but delivers a whirring, sucking sensation.
5. After this your skin is infused with a cocktail of hyaluronic acid, peptides, antioxidants are into the pores to plump and hydrate.
This mixture can be tailored to your complexion’s needs. City dwellers can banish pollution-induced dullness with the ‘Life’ treatment with antioxidants, peptides and hyaluronic acid.
The ‘Brightening’ treatment contains Vitamin C to target brown spots and sun damage, as well as hyperpigmentation, and if acne or acne scarring is your concern then the ‘Acne and Acne Scarring’ treatment targets the excess oil in the skin and softens scarring with deeper exfoliation using varying strengths of peel.
6. The last part of the facial involves red LED light to reduce any residual redness and help to boost collagen.
Is it worth it?
Yes, totally. I’ve had two HyraFacial treatments now (months apart) and each time I’ve been both blown away by the results and by the number of compliments I’ve gotten afterwards about how healthy my complexion looks.
It provides a hydrating boost, flushes out excess fluid and clears impurities all in one treatment.
The effect are immediate and last a number of days; and to be honest I’m writing this three weeks after my most recent treatment and my skin is still in great nick. Regular monthly visits are said to ensure that the health and appearance of your skin continues to improve.
The best part? You guessed it, when the therapist presented me a tube of murky water – all the debris, dirt and blackheads that had been flushed out of my pores throughout the treatment. So gross, yet so satisfying to look at.
It isn’t your typical holistic, super relaxing facial that you’d book in as in indulgent treat. Don’t get me wrong, it isn’t uncomfortable whatsoever, I found the whirring of the machine quite relaxing, however a HydrFacial is much more about getting results than it is about lulling you off into a slumber.
I didn’t experience any down time whatsoever (see selfie above which was taken straight after the treatment). This of course all depends on the health and resilience of your skin to begin with, but regardless you should only show mild redness an hour or two afterwards. It really is no pain, all gain.
It provides a hydrating boost, flushes out excess fluid and clears impurities all in one treatment.
Essentially this is a deep clean for your skin, so something to consider booking in for every now and again (they recommend every 4 weeks) to get your skin back to a good (*glowing*) place and to prevent a build up of congestion.
It definitely is one to keep in mind pre big event, post-party season in January when your complexion can look a little worse for wear or after a sun holiday, when your skin is both dehydrated and oily from all the sunscreen and sweat.
Where can you try it and how much does it cost?
I visited the South William Clinic & Spa in Dublin where the prices start from €110 for an Express 30 minute HydraFacial and €145 for a 6-step 60 minute ‘Luxury’ HydraFacial.
60 minute HydraFacial with skin boosters for acne, anti-ageing or pigmentation costs €175 per treatment, one with a ZO Skin health brightening or redness booster is €195. Each treatment can be bought as part of a package too if you have the cash and want to make a saving overall.
There are heaps of salons across Ireland that offer HydraFacials, you can find a full list here. Costs will vary depending on the salon, and as ever it always helps to get a word of mouth recommendation on a particular clinic/therapist before visiting.
For every other question and detail you might still be pondering over after visit hydrafacial.co.uk.
*This is not a sponsored post. I paid for the treatment myself*
Have you tried another facial/body treatment and witnessed amazing results? Let me know in the comments below, send my a DM on Instagram or drop me an email!
