In brief
- HydraFacial is the brand name of a facial that uses its own device. It cleanses your skin, removes dead skin cells, clears your pores with suction and then infuses serums.
- The aim is clean skin that gets its moisture back. You can get on with your day straight away.
- Many people use the word for any hydrating facial. Each salon has its own approach to it.
- At Moons in Enschede that treatment is called the Hydra treatment: an hour with hyaluronic acid, a serum and a cooling hydrojelly mask, for €79.00.
Written by Nilay, owner and beauty therapist at Moons BeautyUpdated on
What is a HydraFacial?
HydraFacial is the brand name of a facial that uses its own device. The specialist moves a handpiece over your skin. The device cleanses, removes dead skin cells with mild acids, clears your pores with suction and then infuses serums, such as hyaluronic acid. You just lie back and relax, and afterwards you can get on with your day straight away.
Because the name is so well known, many people use it for any facial that adds moisture. Strictly speaking, a HydraFacial is only the treatment with that branded device. Other salons have their own hydrating treatment, with their own products and their own way of working.
At Moons that treatment is called the Hydra treatment. It is our most booked facial.
HydraFacial or Hydra treatment: what is the difference?
They share the same aim: clean skin that gets its moisture back. The way there differs.
| Topic | HydraFacial | Hydra treatment at Moons |
|---|---|---|
| What it is | A treatment with its own device, under a brand name | A sixty-minute hydrating facial |
| Cleansing | The device cleanses and removes dead skin cells | We cleanse and exfoliate your skin, and remove impurities where needed |
| Pores | The device clears them with suction | Only where needed. For lots of blackheads there is the facial cleanse |
| Moisture | Serums that the device infuses into your skin | Hyaluronic acid and a serum, then a cooling hydrojelly mask |
| Price | Varies by salon or clinic | €79.00 |
| Afterwards | You can get on with your day straight away | You can get on with your day straight away |
What does a hydrating treatment do for your skin?
Skin that feels tight often lacks moisture in the top layer. That can happen to any skin, even skin that is shiny on the nose. A hydrating treatment replenishes that moisture. Hyaluronic acid attracts water and holds on to it, and the care on top makes sure it does not evaporate again straight away.
You notice it straight away: your skin feels plumper and softer, and fine lines caused by a lack of moisture are less noticeable. If your skin mainly lacks oil, it is dry rather than dehydrated. Then you also need a richer cream at home. The difference is explained under dry skin.
How often, and how long does the effect last?
The plump feeling usually lasts a few days to well over a week, depending on how your skin was beforehand. If your skin really lacks moisture, we schedule the first few visits every three to four weeks. After two or three treatments, together with an adjusted routine at home, your skin feels tight less quickly after washing.
After that, once every four to six weeks is enough to keep it that way. In winter your skin asks for it more often than in summer, because the cold outside and the heating inside draw moisture out of it.
Who a hydrating treatment suits.
Your skin feels tight after washing
It asks for cream straight away, even if your nose is shiny. Then your skin lacks moisture, and we replenish that.
You have something to celebrate soon
Your skin doesn't need to recover from it, so you can plan the treatment just before an occasion. If it's your first time, it's better to plan it a week or two in advance.
Your skin looks dull after the summer or in winter
Sun, salt water and air conditioning, or cold and heating, draw moisture out of your skin. As soon as the water is back, it looks fresher.
Your skin is blemish-prone and feels tight at the same time
Strong products against spots often dry out your skin. Replenishing moisture then brings calm, and we leave inflamed spots alone.
A HydraFacial device for home use?
Online you see lots of small devices that promise what a HydraFacial does, with suction and a little water tank. At home it's hard to see what you're doing. If you hold the nozzle in one spot for too long, you get small bruises or broken capillaries.
At home a simple routine does more. Cleanse gently, for example with the Hyaluronic Cleansing Milk, use hyaluronic acid under a cream and apply it to skin that is still a little damp. One to three times a week you can add a mask, such as the Hyaluronic Face Gel Mask, which you can also leave on overnight.
What does a hydrating treatment cost?
A HydraFacial costs whatever the salon or clinic charges for it. These are our prices, as they currently appear on our price list.
| Topic | Price at Moons | Duration | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hydra treatment | €79.00 | 60 minutes | Skin that feels tight or looks dull |
| Redness treatment | €75.00 | 60 minutes | Dry skin that is also red or sensitive |
| Full cleansing | €75.00 | 60 minutes | Lots of blackheads, with a hydrojelly mask afterwards |
| Hyaluronic (microneedling) | €89.00 | 50 minutes | Skin that stays tight, even with good care. Red for one to two days |
You pay per session, afterwards in the salon. All prices are on the prices page.
Good to know about hydration.
Hyaluronic acid on your skin is not a filler
On your skin it gives moisture and a plumper feel. Volume in a wrinkle or in your lips comes from a filler, and a doctor injects that.
Suction doesn't suit every skin
If your skin reddens quickly or you have visible thread veins, suction can make that worse. A calming treatment is then a better fit. Read more under facial redness.
Oily skin can lack moisture too
If your skin is shiny and tight at the same time, it lacks moisture. Extra degreasing then makes the tightness worse.
For men too
Facials are for everyone. Skin that feels tight from shaving benefits just as much.
Frequently asked questions about hydraFacial
What is a HydraFacial?
The brand name of a facial that uses its own device. It cleanses your skin, removes dead skin cells, clears your pores with suction and then infuses serums, such as hyaluronic acid. Afterwards your skin feels clean and plump.
Do you do HydraFacials?
At Moons we do the Hydra treatment. It has the same aim, skin that gets its moisture back, and works with hyaluronic acid, a serum and a cooling hydrojelly mask. If you specifically want a HydraFacial, choose a salon that works with that brand.
What does a HydraFacial cost?
That varies by salon or clinic. At Moons in Enschede the Hydra treatment costs €79.00 for sixty minutes. You pay afterwards in the salon, by card or in cash.
How often should you have a hydrating facial?
If your skin really lacks moisture, every three to four weeks for the first few times. After that, once every four to six weeks is enough, and a little more often in winter.
How long does the effect of a hydrating treatment last?
The plump feeling usually lasts a few days to well over a week. It becomes lasting when you play your part at home, with a routine that holds on to moisture.
Does a hydrating treatment hurt?
No. The mask feels cool, and otherwise you just lie back and relax. Only when we remove impurities can it be a little tender.
Does a HydraFacial help with acne?
For blackheads and skin that clogs quickly, a treatment that clears out your pores helps. For inflamed spots, a treatment that calms is the right fit. At Moons that is the Acne treatment, with LED therapy.
Which is better, a hydrating treatment or microneedling?
That depends on what you want. A hydrating treatment works at the surface, and you can carry on straight away. In the Hyaluronic we use the Dermapen to bring hyaluronic acid deeper into your skin. That works deeper, and your skin is red for one to two days afterwards.
Can you have a hydrating treatment when you're pregnant?
Usually, yes. We then keep it milder, because your skin reacts more quickly during that time. Just mention it when you book.
Is a HydraFacial device for home use a good idea?
Better not. At home it's hard to see what you're doing, and with too much suction in one spot you get small bruises or broken capillaries. A gentle routine with hyaluronic acid does more at home.
What is the difference between dry and dehydrated skin?
Dry skin produces too little sebum, the oily layer that slows down evaporation. Dehydrated skin lacks water in the upper layers, and even oily skin can have that. A hydrating treatment mainly replenishes the water.
Does a hydrating treatment help against wrinkles?
Fine lines caused by a lack of moisture soften as soon as there is water in your skin again. Deeper lines call for a treatment that builds collagen, such as microneedling.
From reading to doing
What we do with this in the salon
Hydra treatment
An hour with hyaluronic acid and a cool mask, with price and steps.
Dry skin
Whether your skin lacks oil or moisture, and what helps then.
Microneedling
With the Hyaluronic we bring hyaluronic acid deeper into your skin.
Facial cleanse
For lots of blackheads: pores cleared in 45 or 60 minutes.
