Hydrafacial vs Microdermabrasion | Which is Better?

There was a time when you would go to get a facial treatment, and the list of options was short and simple. These days, you have a plethora of facials and skin treatments to choose from.

It’s great to have so many options, isn’t it? But with a long list of services often comes confusion and indecisiveness. We’ve all been there, staring at a service menu, over-analyzing, and stressing over which treatment to get.

It would take forever to compare every single skincare treatment available, so in this article, we are only going to focus on two of the most popular rejuvenation treatments that you can find on just about every aesthetician’s menu of services– the Hydrafacial and Microdermabrasion.

They do share a lot of similarities, but also have some distinct differences. Both the Hydrafacial and microdermabrasion are excellent options; which one you should get really boils down to your skin concerns, skin type, and the results you want to achieve.

Let’s dive in!

What is a Hydrafacial?

The HydraFacial is a medical-grade skin treatment that is performed using a unique device that has the ability to cleanse, exfoliate, and remove impurities while simultaneously infusing the skin with custom antioxidants, hyaluronic acid, and peptides.

This modern skincare treatment is patented, meaning it utilizes a unique and protected technology you can’t get with any other facial. It has rapidly gained popularity over the past decade, primarily due to its unique ability to help correct numerous skin issues in one session and deliver immediate, visible results without downtime.

Its name no doubt highlights a key benefit of the Hydrafacial… hydration! But the perks of this unique facial don’t stop with moisturized, dewy skin. Hydrafacial uses a one-of-kind vortex-fusion device designed to gently perform multiple skincare steps in one session.

Essentially, the Hydrafacial combines all of the best aspects of traditional facials (cleansing, exfoliation, extractions, etc) but uses a more gentle technique and very advanced skincare technology. Then, it takes things up a notch with the simultaneous infusion of customized serums and boosters that target your specific skin issues.

Whether your concern is a dull complexion, acne, blackheads, hyperpigmentation, lines, wrinkles, or a combination of issues, the Hydrafacial can address a variety of skin challenges and is suitable for all skin types.

The Hydrafacial process begins with a deep cleansing to remove surface impurities, followed by a gentle exfoliation to remove dead skin cells. Next, the device performs painless extractions using a vacuum-like tip to clear clogged pores. Finally, it infuses the skin with a customized blend of hydrating and nourishing serums tailored to your specific skin needs.

All of this only takes about 30 minutes, making it an excellent option for anyone with a busy schedule. There also is zero downtime following a Hydrafacial, so you don’t have to worry about scheduling your appointment around work or other important events.

If you ever doubt what facial to get, you can’t go wrong with a Hydrafacial. Whether you want to maintain a healthy complexion or address specific skin concerns, the Hydrafacial will leave your skin feeling rejuvenated and looking its best.

Hydrafacial Benefits

People love Hydrafacial because there isn’t much it can’t do. The unique treatment offers numerous benefits, making it a standout choice for anyone looking to maintain skin health or address one or more specific skin concerns in one treatment.

Here are a few of the key benefits of the Hydrafacial:

Can Target a Variety of Skin Concerns at One Time

The list of skin issues the Hydrafacial can help correct is long. It is a great option for treating clogged pores, wrinkles, fine lines, dark spots, acne, or skin that is simply dry and flakey, and it can help correct any of these issues at the same time in one treatment session.

Non-Irritating

Lots of facial treatments that deeply exfoliate are too harsh for sensitive skin or leave even those with normal skin a little red or irritated afterward– but not the Hydrafacial.

Thanks to its gentle but effective patented vortex technology and the fact that the serums used in the treatment are custom to your skin, it is typically non-irritating, even for those with sensitive skin.

Customizable

Many facials can only help to correct one or two skin concerns, but the Hydrafacial covers all the basics (cleanse, exfoliate, hydrate) and simultaneously infuses the skin with one or more custom serums and boosters that are selected based on your skin type and concerns.

Suitable for All Skin Tones and Types

Dark skin, light skin, oily skin, dry skin, and even sensitive skin—the Hydrafacial is suitable for all skin types and tones. Its customizability and gentle approach allow it to effectively address a variety of skin concerns without causing irritation.

Zero Downtime

While we suggest scheduling your Hydrafacial for a day when you don’t have to put makeup on afterward (to allow your skin to fully absorb the nourishing serums and enjoy the refreshed sensation), there is no reason why you couldn’t hit the town that same night if you wanted to. The Hydrafacial is gentle, leaving your skin refreshed and dewy, not red and irritated, and does not require any recovery or downtime.

Instant Results

With many facial treatments, it takes time to see results, but the Hydrafacial offers instant gratification. You will leave our office with visibly smoother, brighter, and more hydrated skin. Then, as the weeks pass, your skin will continue to improve and rejuvenate, thanks to the treatments’ collagen-stimulating properties.

Painless Extraction

Unlike the extraction process used in traditional facials that can be harsh on your skin, the Hydrafacial uses gentle suction to remove blackheads and other impurities from your pores without causing pain or irritation.

Intense Hydration

The Hydrafacial takes hydration to the next level by infusing your skin with a potent blend of hydrating serums, including the powerhouse ingredient hyaluronic acid.

What sets the Hydrafacial apart is its unique delivery system, which ensures that these hydrating ingredients penetrate deep into your skin, providing intense moisture where it’s needed most. As a result, your skin is not only plumped and hydrated, but fine lines and wrinkles are visibly reduced, leaving you with a complexion that’s truly revitalized.

Nourishment

While many facials offer nourishing ingredients, the Hydrafacial goes further by directly delivering essential nutrients, such as antioxidants and peptides, to your skin.

What makes the Hydrafacial able to do this more effectively is its patented Vortex-Fusion technology, which ensures that these nourishing ingredients are effectively absorbed, maximizing their benefits.

Improved Skin Tone and Texture

Whether you’re dealing with uneven skin tone, hyperpigmentation, or rough texture, the Hydrafacial’s advanced technology penetrates deep into the skin, promoting cellular renewal and collagen production. As a result, you’ll notice a significant improvement in your skin’s overall appearance, with a smoother, more refined texture and a more even, radiant complexion.

Stimulates the Production of Collagen

By gently removing dead skin cells and impurities, the Hydrafacial helps promote cell turnover, encouraging the skin’s natural repair processes. The treatment also delivers nourishing serums that include peptides and antioxidants, which support the skin’s structure and boost collagen synthesis. This combination not only enhances skin elasticity and firmness but also reduces the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles, resulting in a more youthful and radiant complexion.

Who Should Get a Hydrafacial

The Hydrafacial is great for anyone who wants dewy, radiant skin. In fact, nearly everyone can benefit from this unique facial. But let’s break it down further and explore why it’s particularly beneficial for different skin types and concerns:

Dry or Dehydrated Skin

For those struggling with dry or dehydrated skin, the Hydrafacial is a godsend. Whether it’s due to environmental factors, seasonal changes, or inherent dryness, the infusion of hydrating serums restores moisture to parched skin, replenishing its natural hydration levels. As a result, your skin appears plump, supple, and deeply hydrated.

Acne-Prone Skin

For those battling acne-prone skin, the Hydrafacial offers a deep cleansing and gentle extraction process that effectively manages and reduces breakouts, clears congested pores, and prevents future flare-ups. By purifying the skin and removing pore-clogging impurities, the Hydrafacial helps to restore balance and clarity, leaving your complexion looking and feeling clear and fresh.

Aging Skin

The hydrating serums infused during the Hydrafacial treatment work wonders in minimizing the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles while also improving skin elasticity for a firmer, more youthful complexion. With regular Hydrafacial sessions, you’ll notice a visible reduction in lines, wrinkles, and other signs of aging.

Uneven Skin Tone

The Hydrafacial is well known for targeting dark spots and hyperpigmentation, helping to lighten discoloration and even out your complexion. Through gentle exfoliation and the infusion of brightening serums, the Hydrafacial promotes a more uniform skin tone, leaving your complexion luminous and radiant.

General Skin Maintenance

Wearing sunscreen daily and adhering to a medical-grade skincare regime are essential for healthy skin, but they can only get you so far. Regular Hydrafacials are an easy way to further boost the health of the skin you work hard to nourish and protect.

Whether you’re gearing up for a special occasion or simply want to pamper your skin, the Hydrafacial can help take your skin to a new level of health and radiance.

Who Should Not Get a Hydrafacial?

While Hydrafacials are safe for most people, there are a few situations where you should avoid or postpone most facial treatments, including the Hydrafacial:

Active Skin Infections or Rashes

If you have an active rash, skin infection, or sunburn, it’s best to wait until your skin has healed.

Severe Acne or Rosacea

While the Hydrafacial is known for its gentle approach, those with severe acne or rosacea should always consult their dermatologist or an experienced aesthetician before undergoing skin treatment.

Pregnancy

Pregnant women should seek advice from their healthcare provider before undergoing a Hydrafacial, as some of the ingredients in the serums might not be recommended during pregnancy.

Allergies

If you have known allergies to any of the ingredients used in the Hydrafacial, inform your esthetician to avoid any adverse reactions.

What is Microdermabrasion?

Microdermabrasion is a well-established racial rejuvenation treatment that aestheticians have trusted for decades to help their clients improve skin texture and appearance. It targets various skin concerns, such as the buildup of dead skin, oily skin, large pores, fine lines, uneven texture, and mild acne.

With this non-invasive procedure, the top layer of skin is scraped off using a handheld device with a fine crystal or diamond-tipped wand. Simultaneously, a vacuum mechanism suctions away the exfoliated debris, leaving your skin clean and refreshed.

Diamond microdermabrasion is typically a little more abrasive than crystal microdermabrasion, but both are pain-free, and your esthetician can control how much suction and pressure is used.

The treatment is often called a “lunchtime facial” because it requires minimal downtime (you might be a little red for a few hours after treatment) and can be completed quickly, making it a convenient option for those with a busy schedule.

Microdermabrasion Benefits

It is very uncommon to visit a med spa or esthetician and not see some form of microdermabrasion on their skin service menu. Its long history of use and proven effectiveness make it a trusted choice at most plastic surgeon offices and med spas.

Let’s take a look at some of the key benefits that make microdermabrasion so popular:

Exfoliation

The treatment is best known for its specialized handheld device, which is equipped with either a fine crystal or a diamond-tipped wand. This device effectively removes dead skin that has built up on the skin’s surface, resulting in a smoother texture and a more radiant complexion.

Improved Skin Texture

By exfoliating the skin’s outer layer, microdermabrasion helps smooth out rough patches and uneven texture, leaving the skin feeling soft and supple.

Unclogged Pores

The exfoliation process helps to unclog pores, reducing the occurrence of blackheads and whiteheads and preventing future breakouts.

Reduced Fine Lines and Wrinkles

Over time, a series of microdermabrasion treatments can help minimize fine lines and wrinkles, giving the skin a more youthful appearance.

Enhanced Product Absorption

By removing the outer layer of dead skin cells, microdermabrasion allows skincare products to penetrate more deeply into the skin, increasing their effectiveness.

Stimulated Collagen Production

Microdermabrasion stimulates collagen production, which helps to improve skin elasticity and firmness over time.

Fast and Non-Invasive

A microdermabrasion appointment typically lasts no more than 30 minutes and doesn’t require any downtime. You might have a little bit of redness and irritation for a few hours following your treatment, but this goes away quickly. We suggest you take the rest of the day off from wearing makeup, but you should be able to return to all normal activities as soon as you like.

Who Should Get Microdermabrasion?

Microdermabrasion is suitable for anyone who wants to exfoliate their skin for an improved overall appearance and texture. Many people with no particular skin issues get regular microdermabrasion treatments to maintain their healthy skin.

However, microdermabrasion is particularly beneficial for:

Dull or Rough Skin

If your skin looks dull or feels rough to the touch, microdermabrasion can help to smooth out the texture and restore radiance.

Oily Skin

Microdermabrasion is particularly beneficial for oily skin because it deeply exfoliates and removes the outer layer of dead skin cells that can clog pores and lead to breakouts. The treatment’s abrasive action also helps to reduce excess oil production by clearing away sebum and impurities, which can minimize the appearance of enlarged pores and reduce shine.

Regular microdermabrasion sessions can help regulate oil levels, making oily skin more manageable and less prone to acne.

Mild Scarring

Microdermabrasion can help to reduce the appearance of mild scars and marks by exfoliating the outer layer of the skin and promoting cell turnover.

Sun Damage

If your skin has been damaged by the sun, microdermabrasion can help to lighten dark spots and hyperpigmentation, giving your complexion a more even tone.

Fine Lines and Wrinkles

While microdermabrasion may not completely erase deep wrinkles, getting treatments regularly can help soften fine lines and improve overall skin texture, making wrinkles less noticeable.

Who Should Not Get Microdermabrasion?

Microdermabrasion is generally safe for most people. However, there are certain individuals who may not be suitable candidates for the treatment:

People with Active Acne

If you have active acne or inflamed skin, microdermabrasion may exacerbate the condition and cause further irritation.

Those with Rosacea, Eczema, Dermatitis, or Very Sensitive Skin

If you have a skin condition such as rosacea, eczema, or dermatitis, you should consult with a skin expert before undergoing treatment.

If you have extremely sensitive skin, you might want to opt for a more gentle treatment, such as a Hydrafacial. Those with delicate skin sometimes find microdermabrasion a little too harsh and irritating.

Pregnant Women

Pregnant women should consult with their doctor or avoid microdermabrasion, as the safety of the treatment during pregnancy has not been established.

Individuals with Skin Infections or Open Wounds

If you have any active skin infections or open wounds, it’s important to wait until the skin has healed before undergoing microdermabrasion to avoid further complications.

Hydrafacial vs Microdermabrasion: Which Facial Treatment is Better?

One treatment isn’t any “better” than the other. Both the Hydrafacial and Microdermabrasion are excellent rejuvenating skin treatments that can brighten and exfoliate the face and stimulate collagen production, resulting in a more radiant and youthful appearance.

The better question is, which of the two facial treatments is right for you right now?

When choosing between a Hydrafacial and microdermabrasion, consider your current skin condition, concerns, and goals.

For example, if your skin is super dry and needs some major hydration or is sensitive, you’d probably want to consider a Hydrafacial over microdermabrasion. Conversely, if your skin is really oily, needs more aggressive exfoliation, or you have a mark or scar you want to minimize, you may opt for microdermabrasion.

You don’t have to decide between a Hydrafacial and microdermabrasion. Most people can get

both of these popular skin treatments, but not at the same time, as that would be unnecessary, considering both offer exfoliation and rejuvenation.

Everybody is different, but we might suggest a patient come in for microdermabrasion and follow it up with a Hydrafacial a few weeks later. If you find you like them both, you can rotate services, or if you discover you enjoy one treatment more than the other, you can stick with that one from there on out.

With either treatment, you can make the most of your appointment and schedule other services such as dermaplaning, Botox, and dermal fillers on the same day. Just be aware that your services must follow a specific order. You always want to get any type of facial or skin treatment BEFORE injectables to ensure that the neurotoxin or filler does not migrate.

If you are still having trouble deciding between a Hydrafacial, microdermabrasion, or another skin treatment, a consultation with one of our skin experts can eliminate all the guesswork. They can examine your skin and tell you what treatment is best for your skin type and concerns.

Takeaway

Microdermabrasion is a non-invasive treatment that exfoliates and polishes the skin using a hand-held device with a tip similar to an electric palm sander. This classic, well-known procedure offers deep exfoliation, much like a chemical peel, but without the same risk of sensitivities and irritation. However, it might not be suitable for really sensitive skin.

Hydrafacial, on the other hand, is a more advanced and gentler treatment, often considered the next generation of microdermabrasion. It uses a patented device with a unique spiral suction tip that serves a dual purpose: exfoliate and infuse. It is safe for all skin types, even sensitive skin, and doesn’t only exfoliate. Plus, it takes things a step further with an infusion of customizable antioxidants, peptides, and hydration.

While both treatments provide excellent exfoliation and skin rejuvenation, Hydrafacial offers a more multifaceted approach with added benefits and customization options.

The Best Hydrafacial or Microdermabrasion in Middle Tennessee

If you are considering a facial treatment such as a Hydrafacial or microdermabrasion, unless you have already tried both treatments, the first step is to book a consultation with a skin expert. They can analyze your skin to help you decide which facial rejuvenating treatment is best for your skin type and concerns.

Whether you are an aesthetic treatment newbie or experienced in getting rejuvenating skin treatments, at Garza Plastic Surgery, we have a long list of menu services to choose from that can help you achieve your aesthetic goals, including the Hydrafacial + PERK™, an ultra-focused hydrating add-on lip or eye treatment we now offer to any HydraFacial treatment for an extra boost.