Facials vs. HydraFacials: What You Need to Know

The daily grind does damage to your skin – we all know this. Our skin is impacted by the most routine parts of our day, from city air and screen time to the stresses of work and family life. We don’t all wear our emotions on our sleeves, but our faces can’t always hide the hustle. Facials are one way to think bigger than just your nighttime skincare routine and start incorporating a more relaxing, personalized step in your journey to complexion perfection. 

There isn’t a one-size-fits-all facial. They vary by skin type and issue area and utilize lights, lasers and other high-tech gadgets. The new kid on the block that has people talking is the HydraFacial. What’s the difference between facials and the HydraFacial? We’re breaking down what you need to know before you book this popular new treatment. Your skin will thank you. 

What Does a Facial Do?

Rather than just leaving the answer “it depends”, here are some of the basics. A facial is a multi-step skincare service performed by a professional that focuses on exfoliating, cleansing and nourishing your skin. Professional facials provide a deeper clean than many of our at-home skincare products. 

Facial treatments can be customized to help you achieve a variety of results:

• Exfoliating the surface layer of the skin to remove dead cells and reveal glowing skin

• Extracting impurities and blackheads beneath the skin’s surface

• Provide a specific blend of vitamins, minerals and acids that replenish your skin and hydrate at the deepest levels

• Anti-aging treatments that target discoloration and dullness to reveal a glowing complexion

Professional facial treatments are the perfect combination of relaxation and results. Typically combined with a neck and shoulder massage, you’ll be completely at ease while your spa professional and their magic elixirs work hard on your pores. 

What is a HydraFacial Treatment?

The HydraFacial treatment is a hydrating pick-me-up for your skin – working to cleanse and exfoliate the skin, deliver a gentle peel and then replenish the skin with hydrating antioxidants, vitamins and hyaluronic acid. 

1. Cleanse & Exfoliate: By removing the dead skin cells on top of the skin, the gentle peel formula is able to work deeper into pores.

2. Gentle Peel: With the help of salicylic and glycolic acids, dirt and debris are loosened from the skin and extracted out. 

3. Replenishment: Your skin needs those hydrating gems like hyaluronic acid, vitamins and antioxidants. 

A HydraFacial differs from a traditional facial in a few ways. The traditional facial – particularly the extraction part – can be a little taxing on your skin, hough the long-term benefits are unbeatable. You may experience some redness or irritation during this step whereas the HydraFacial is a more gentle approach that acts like a suction cup. 

Typical treatment times are from 30-45 minutes and your skin is left rejuvenated and moisturized, ready to greet your daily demands. 

HydraFacial Benefits

If you’re a pro in the regularly-scheduled facial arena, or even if you’re new here, these HydraFacial benefits just might sway you to make that appointment. You should also consult your spa professional and discuss your skincare goals to see if this is a good fit. We’re guessing it’s a go. 

• (Almost) instant results. You know that fresh-from-the-spa feeling, right? The HydraFacial treatment has virtually no downtime and your skin feels the benefits of extractions and hydration almost instantly.

• It’s great for most skin types. Traditional facials can be more customized and specific to your skin type and skincare goals. But the HydraFacial is suitable for almost any skin type and age. Patients who experience rosacea, or have an active rash or sunburn may not be suited for a HydraFacial treatment. 

• Experience extractions without side effects. Compared to traditional facials, HydraFacial extractions can be much gentler on the skin and leave less redness or irritation.

• HydraFacial can address a wide range of skincare needs.  While consulting with your spa professional, you’d be hard-pressed to find a skin concern that HydraFacial can’t help with; Fine lines and wrinkles, elasticity, texture, tone, enlarged pores, congested skin and more. 

Yes, the HydraFacial treatment can treat many of your skincare needs, but it can also be slightly customized. If you need an extra boost, there are super serums available during a HydraFacial that can give you an added edge. You can focus on minimizing fine lines and wrinkles, as well as  the appearance of dark spots, signs of aging and discoloration. 

Choosing the Right Facial 

If you’ve got the daily and weekly skincare routine steps down to a science, consider incorporating a facial or HydraFacial into your routine. By consulting with the professional team at Courted, you can make sure that your specific skincare goals are achieved using the treatment that’s best for you. 

Consider these points when choosing the right facial and discussing your options with your spa professional:

• Your skin type (Normal, Oily, Combination, Aging)

• Your skin issues (Discoloration, Acne, Enlarged Pores, Wrinkles and Fine Lines)

• Any recurring skin conditions (Rashes, Sunburn, Rosacea)

The more you can discuss with your spa professional, the better recommendation they can make. 

Ready to change up your journey toward complexion perfection? 

Prevent and treat the everyday buildup and stresses that our skin endures with a regularly scheduled facial treatment. Courted at The St. James focuses on self-renewal and a proactive approach to living well, making it a perfect addition to your already-established wellness routine. Stop by or give us a call at (703) 239-6910 to discuss the available facial treatments with our team and we can work together to determine the right routine for you. 

You can explore facials, HydraFacial and our full suite of services online.