At this point in my beauty writing career, I’ve tried it all — from lasers to chemical peels. But, when I got my very first Hydrafacial, I knew I’d found my new holy grail treatment. Never had a singular facial done so much for my skin in one go. I’m talking clearer, brighter, more hydrated skin instantly — it truly works a small miracle or two, especially if you’re like me and prone to breakouts.
You may have witnessed the gory aftermath of Hydracials on the internet: they’re infamous for the “gunk jar,” a vacuum bag that contains all the debris extracted from your skin. It sounds disgusting, but I promise, there’s something oddly satisfying about seeing it — you know your skin is squeaky clean afterward.
While I can definitely say Hydrafacials, aka gunk facials, were a key component in clearing up my skin, they’re also great for skin concerns like fine lines, wrinkles, dehydration, sun damage, hyperpigmentation, and more. If you’re curious to learn more about this magical treatment and see my before and after photos, keep reading. I documented a Hydrafacial with my aesthetician Varuni Palacios in LA (who I swear is actually a magician) to show you what you can expect.
Expert Featured in This Article
Varuni Palacios is an aesthetician based in Los Angeles.
What Is a Hydrafacial?
A Hydrafacial is a workhorse: it cleanses, exfoliates, extracts, and utilizes serums to infuse your skin with moisture. “Vortex technology suctions dead skin cells, blackheads, whiteheads, sebum, dirt, and debris from every single pore while simultaneously infusing critical nutrients and antioxidants to revive your skin barrier,” Palacios says.
It works by using a specialized wand with a spiral design to help lift and loosen debris from the skin, gently extracting impurities and creating the “gunk jar” you may have seen on social media. “It’s sort of like a wet vac for your face, but it’s gentle, highly effective, and non-invasive, for zero discomfort,” Palacios says. “It’s my favorite treatment for a monthly deep-pore cleansing, because unlike traditional extractions, there’s no poking, picking, popping, squeezing, or blood, which can leave damage, scarring, and inflammation behind.”
What to Expect During a Hydrafacial
Treatment typically starts with a water-based cleanser, exfoliation, and extractions with the wand. After that, hydration-boosting serums are usually infused into the skin using that same wand head. Depending on your aesthetician, they may also add a massage, a soothing mask, or any add-ons you selected to top off the treatment.
Hydrafacial Results
If you commit to one monthly facial, Palacios says the Hydrafacial is ideal. It’s the best monthly maintenance treatment for achieving clear, hydrated, brighter, and tighter skin. If your skin looks lackluster, dull, dehydrated, or you’re experiencing breakouts, it will take care of that in a flash, but it also does so much more.
It’s also great for improving fine lines, wrinkles, pigmentation, and sun damage. Hydrafacials can be customized to your specific needs. Palacios explains that you can add different Hydrafacial booster serums to the treatment to amplify your results. Think even more hydration, brightening, and clarifying, by adding a chemical peel after the Hydrafacial (like I did), LED light therapy, or cryotherapy.
How Often Should You Get a Hydrafacial?
Hydrafacials are the perfect monthly maintenance treatment: “I recommend everyone get a Hydrafacial once every four weeks,” says Palacious. “Because our natural skin cycle works alongside our metabolism to renew every four weeks on average, and that cycle lengthens as we age. Hydrafacial can speed up the renewal process, decrease skin inflammation, and help resolve problematic skin concerns. It’s also smart before a wedding, red carpet, or special event, because it creates the ideal base for soft glam.
If you have a specific or chronic skin concern, you may benefit from more frequent treatments. “If we’re working on something more diligently (like acne, for example), treatment might be recommended every two weeks for a period of time,” says Palacios.
How Much Does a Hydrafacial Cost?
The cost of a Hydrafacial will vary based on where you go. For example, a 30-45 minute Hydrafacial costs around $175 if you see Palacios at Studio Varuni. For a more advanced version of a Hydrafacial that includes other add-ons like LED light therapy, lymphatic massage, and oxygen infusion, you can expect to pay around $225. Prices vary based on who you see and what add-ons you choose, but the above numbers are a good ballpark.
My Hydrafacial Experience
When I came in for a recent treatment, Palacios said it’s especially helpful for LA residents right now because the wildfires in the area have caused additional air pollution. I opted to add a chemical peel on top of my Hydrafacial and my skin has honestly never looked so good.
My top concerns are breakouts, hyperpigmentation, and dehydration. Hydrafacial treatments always improve breakouts and dehydration massively after one facial, and there’s something really satisfying about seeing the “gunk jar” after (which your aesthetician will most likely show you). I came in with some congestion on the right side of my face that had been bothering me for a few weeks. After the Hydrafacial, it looked so much calmer. There’s a bit of post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation, but I manage that with a vitamin C serum.
I’m a huge proponent of Hydrafacials and love getting them as often as I can. Honestly, I’ve gotten great Hydrafacials before, but Palacios truly takes the treatment to another level and I can’t recommend seeing her enough if you’re in the area. She also understands Black and Brown skin in a way that other skincare experts sometimes don’t.
I left Palacios’s office with an otherworldly glow that lasted well into the weekend. The treatment doesn’t require a lot of time — it’s great for anyone who doesn’t have a ton of time to dedicate to getting facial treatments, but wants to keep up with skin maintenance.
Shawna Hudson is a beauty, wellness, lifestyle, and travel writer whose work has appeared in Bustle, The Zoe Report, Who What Wear, Byrdie, Elite Daily, and more.
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