With more and more people leaning into the natural (read: no makeup) look and praised by celebrities like Kate Winslet and Amy Poehler, the HydraFacial has created quite a buzz in the skincare industry. In fact, it’s estimated that one HydraFacial is performed globally every 15 minutes. Frequently offered by dermatologists and in spas, this patented skin treatment is used to treat a slew of skin concerns such as acne, dryness, hyperpigmentation, and wrinkles. Ahead we’ll take a closer look at the HydraFacial and explore the benefits to help you determine if it’s right for you. 

WHAT IS A HYDRAFACIAL?

The HydraFacial, also referred to as HydraDermabrasion (or HydraFacial MD), is similar to microdermabrasion because it exfoliates the skin. But while microdermabrasion uses aluminum oxide crystals to achieve these results, the HydraFacial is a multi-step process that uses chemical exfoliants paired with deep hydration. The HydraFacial bears some similarities to a regular facial, but it tends to offer more dramatic results. 

Moreover, the HydraFacial is far more soothing to the skin, so much so that it is commonly offered one to two weeks after more invasive procedures like chemical peels or laser treatment. Not only does the HydraFacial effectively slough off dead skin after these treatments, but it also soothes and hydrates the skin. 

BENEFITS OF A HYDRAFACIAL

The HydraFacial thoroughly cares for your skin, providing cleansing, exfoliation, extractions, and hydration, including Vortex-Fusion® of antioxidants, peptides, and hyaluronic acid. It also removes dead skin cells and extracts impurities while simultaneously bathing the new skin with cleansing, hydrating and moisturizing serums. The treatment is soothing, refreshing, non-irritating, non-invasive, non-surgical, and immediately effective.

HOW DOES A HYDRAFACIAL WORK?

Usually performed by a licensed esthetician or a dermatologist, a HydraFacial is a three-step process facilitated by a mechanized wand. During the procedure, the tips of the wand are swapped out for each step of the process. 

If you’re considering a HydraFacial treatment, here’s what you can expect:

Step 1: Deep Clean And Peel – The first step of the process uses a tip that essentially works like a vortex to clean out dirt and debris from deep within your pores. Additionally, during this step, the epidermal and dermal layers of the skin are exfoliated with a series of chemical exfoliants such as lactic acid, glycolic acid salicylic acid. 

Step 2: Extraction – The second step of the HydraFacial uses a tip that extracts or vacuums any remaining debris from clogged pores. 

Step 3: Deep Hydration – The final step of the HydraFacial uses a pen-like attachment to apply a hydrating serum (typically consisting of hyaluronic acid and peptides) to the skin.  

HYDRAFACIAL AFTERCARE

The results of a HydraFacial are immediate. Following the procedure, most people will notice brighter, more radiant skin, more even skin tone, and there should be no signs of irritation, redness, or peeling.  

Moreover, the great thing about the HydraFacial is that there is no downtime. And while there’s nothing specific to do regarding aftercare, it’s best to steer clear of any type of exfoliation or other invasive procedures following a HydraFacial. 

HOW OFTEN SHOULD YOU GET A HYDRAFACIAL?

There are no hard-and-fast rules about the frequency of HydraFacial treatments, but as you may suspect, it really depends on the needs of your skin. While some people may require a HydraFacial every two weeks to achieve their desired results, others can stick to doing a HydraFacial once a month just as well. Your esthetician or dermatologist can help you determine the frequency that’s right for you based on your skin type and your ultimate skincare goals. 

HOW MUCH DOES A HYDRAFACIAL COST?

Typically, HydraFacials will cost about $175 per session. The Milk & Honey HydraFacial, for example, costs $175 for a 45-minute session. Keep in mind that there are add-ons available as well, such as lightening treatments for hyperpigmented spots or light therapy add ons that use red or blue light to increase collagen production or eliminate bacteria, respectively. If you’re interested in scheduling a HydraFacial, book an appointment at your local milk + honey spa!

For some women, glowing skin is only afforded to us courtesy of iridescent finishing powders and dewy foundations. Over the last few years, however, more and more women have embraced the natural beauty movement, and many are looking for ways to up the ante on glowing skin. For that reason, face rollers (also known as facial rollers) and Gua Sha are creating quite a buzz in the beauty industry. And while these two skincare powerhouses may seem new, the truth is the practices of face rolling and Gua Sha are centuries old. If you’re looking for some guidance, a quick scroll through the internet will yield plenty of articles and, of course, some great photography with these tools. But besides being a pretty addition to your vanity, what do these tools really do, and how should you use them? 

We caught up with our very own Jess Heron to unravel the mystery behind these two skincare powerhouses. Jess talks to us about the benefits of facial rollers and offers a few best practices to help you achieve maximum benefit. Here’s our Q & A. 

Q: What are the benefits of face rollers?   

A: There are multiple benefits to using face rollers. With the proper placement, facial rollers encourage lymph drainage, reduce inflammation and puffiness, and soothes and detoxifies the skin. Face rollers also stimulate microcirculation, bringing blood flow to the surface of the skin; this assists with better product absorption and revitalizes the skin. Finally, by reducing inflammation with the roller, clients may also notice that their face looks slimmer as well. 

Q: What are the benefits of gua sha?  

A: Gua sha has similar benefits to the facial roller. It relaxes muscle tension in the face, increases blood circulation, and provides lymphatic drainage. Another benefit of Gua sha is that it’s a helpful tool for breaking up the fascia (the connective tissue that envelops the muscles, which tends to interfere with proper circulation). Gua Sha also rebalances the Qi in the body. It clears the energy and allows the Qi, (or life energy) to flow freely throughout the body.  

If you want to do Gua Sha at home, remember that there are different shapes of Gua Sha tools for different parts of the body. The material of the tool is also an important consideration as the different materials offer different types of healing.  

Q: What’s the best process for using face rollers? 

A: A best practice would be to use the facial roller first for the lymphatic drainage benefits, then use the gua sha for deeper muscle release.

Q: These tools seem to do similar things, what’s the difference between the two? 

A: The Gua sha tool provides a deeper massage experience than the face roller. It stretches the skin with deeper pressure and provides better results for contouring the facial structure. The gua sha tool comes in different shapes that you can fit into the different areas of the face; a more accurate placement leads to better results. The face roller glides across the skin with light pressure. I personally like the gua sha over the facial roller because it’s more beneficial for the skin, and I can truly customize the massage technique to the area I am working on. While face rollers really only address lymphatic drainage, the Gua Sha does more for your face and skin. 

Q: What are some best practices for using face rollers and Gua Sha? 

A: The best way to use the facial roller is to cleanse the skin first and then use it with your favorite oil-based serum; this will help the roller slip and glide with ease. The Milk + Honey Luxe Face Oil and the Milk + Honey Rose Quartz Facial Roller are an amazing combo. 

Use the roller up to two times a day, in the morning or the evening. Morning is a great time to use your face roller because fluids can stagnate in the lymph system while sleeping. This causes puffiness upon waking, and the facial roller will assist with flushing the excess fluids. The face roller will help rejuvenate your skin and revive a tired appearance. You can repeat the series of full facial rolling 1-3x. Make sure to follow it up with your favorite eye cream and moisturizer. 

Q: Would it be helpful to pop these tools into the fridge?  

A: Yes, popping the roller into the fridge enhances the cooling effect of the natural stone. The stone is already cool in nature, so refrigeration is not absolutely necessary. A refrigerated roller can feel really good on your skin, and it creates an even tighter, firmer feeling as the cold tenses and tightens the skin tissues. Do not put the roller in the freezer; it’s too cold, and the stone will crack.  

Q: Does gua sha always require a facial oil and which one do you recommend?  

A: Yes, a facial oil works the best with both the gua sha and the facial rollers. Milk + Honey’s Luxe facial oil works beautifully for both the face roller and the gua sha tools. It boosts hydration, improves elasticity, and brightens the skin.