The benefits of HydraFacial go beyond skin deep

The HydraFacial™ is a skin treatment that has gained popularity in recent years for its ability to leave the skin looking refreshed, hydrated, and radiant.

But what many people don’t realize is that HydraFacial™ achieves these fantastic results because it leverages the biology of our skin in a unique 3 step process - and that much of this biology relates to the aging process.

Step 1: Exfoliation

The first step of the HydraFacial™ procedure is exfoliation. At a simple level, exfoliation removes dead and damaged skin cells. Your skin serves as a protective barrier and over time, your skin cells can become damaged as a result of UV radiation, temperature changes as well as mechanical stress. Exfoliation removes these cells and clears the way for newer, healthier cells to grow in.

But there is more to exfoliation than just making room for healthy growth. We know that many of these damaged cells may reach a cellular state known as senescence. Senescent cells release inflammatory molecules that can damage underlying skin tissue and even accelerate the aging process.

By removing these cells and their inflammatory molecules, the HydraFacial's exfoliation step acts as a reset for your skin cells. To achieve a deep exfoliation, HydraFacial™ uses a combination of mechanical action and oxygenation, which achieves an effect that is very hard to achieve at home.

Step 2: Chemical Peel

The second step of the HydraFacial™ is a chemical peel, typically involving a mix of glycolic acid, and salicylic acid. The purpose of the peel is to complement the exfoliation step and further remove dead and damaged skin cells. As the acids are applied, they break down the proteins holding dead skin cells together (known as desmosomes), allowing them to be shed more easily.

Salicylic acid in particular has an anti-inflammatory effect and lowering inflammation turns out to be essential to healthy skin aging. As it is broken down, salicylic acid produces lower levels of prostaglandins- molecules that have been linked to acne as well as wrinkles and other signs of aging.

In the HydraFacial™, a high (but safe) concentration of glycolic and salicylic acid is used to achieve these results. While these acids are found in many cosmetic products, they are seldom found in high enough concentrations - outside of medical-grade treatments like HydraFacial™ - to really have an impact in clearing out dead skin cells

Step 3: Hydration

The third and final step of HydraFacial™ involves hydration and infusion of the skin with key molecules and antioxidants. With dead and damaged cells cleared away, the skin is now primed to absorb nutrients.

One of these important molecules is Hyaluronic acid, or HA. HA is a molecule produced by the skin cells that helps keep the skin plump and hydrated by binding up to 1000 times its weight in water. As we age, our skin produces less hyaluronic acid, resulting in a decrease in skin elasticity and hydration, and paving the way for wrinkling and other signs of aging. The infusion of hyaluronic acid during the facial helps keep the skin cells hydrated and healthy.

HydraFacial™ achieves its impressive results by addressing the underlying biology of the skin: removing dead and damaged cells, reversing senescence and inflammation, and providing skin cells with the essential moisture they need to stay healthy.

Learn more about our HydraFacial or Book Now at one of our New York City studios.