Clarifying Hydrafacial

Hydrafacial for Treating Acne: A Comprehensive Guide

 

​Acne is one of the most common skin concerns affecting people of all ages. Whether you're a teenager experiencing regular breakouts, or an adult dealing with hormonal or stress-induced acne, it can be a frustrating and sometimes painful condition. Advancements in skincare treatments for acne have introduced a range of non-invasive options to help clear and revitalize the skin, one of the most popular being the ‘Clarifying Hydrafacial.’

 

The Clarifying Hydrafacial has been scientifically proven* to be an effective solution for treating acne when performed in a series of six Clarifying Hydrafacials, one every two weeks for 12 weeks.

 

"HydraFacial Clarifying Treatment series resulted in a statistically significant improvement in both investigator and patient GASS from baseline to final treatment (Figure 1). The proportion of patients with investigator assessment of no acne to almost clear skin (GASS ≤1) increased from 20 percent to 65 percent from baseline to final treatment (p=0.0027). The proportion of patients who self-reported no acne to almost clear skin (GASS ≤1) increased from 5 to 55 percent from baseline to final treatment (p=0.0016)." - Efficacy and Tolerability of HydraFacial Clarifying Treatment Series in the Treatment of Active Acne Vulgaris

​

Hydrafacial is designed to cleanse, exfoliate, vortex-extract and hydrate your skin. A Clarifying Hydrafacial also addresses the root causes of acne using LED Light Therapy and powerful booster serums, leaving your complexion clearer, smoother, and glowing. In this detailed guide to acne facials with Hydrafacial, we’ll explore how they work, why they are an effective acne treatment, and how they can become a cornerstone of your skincare routine for managing acne-prone skin.

 

What is a Hydrafacial?

Hydrafacial is a cutting-edge facial treatment that combines cleansing, exfoliation, extraction, hydration, and antioxidant protection. At Diana O’Donnell Skin Care, it is performed using the latest Hydrafacial machine, SYNDEO, that uses vortex technology to remove impurities from the skin while simultaneously delivering serums that nourish and hydrate. Unlike traditional facials that may involve manual extractions, Hydrafacial is a non-invasive procedure that deeply cleanses the skin without causing irritation or downtime. The treatment is safe and effective for all skin types, including sensitive and acne-prone skin.

 

How Does a Hydrafacial Work for Acne? The Clarifying Hydrafacial Explained

Acne is caused by clogged pores, excess oil production, bacteria, and inflammation. These conditions usually lead to whiteheads, blackheads and even cystic acne. Hydrafacial specifically targets these factors that contribute to acne with a multi-step approach:

 

1. Pre-Cleanse the Skin and Prep the Pores

Before the Hydrafacial even begins, I perform a deep cleanse with steam and then apply a decongesting solution to the areas of acneic concern. Once the skin has been pre-cleansed and prepped, we’re ready to begin the acne Clarifying Hydrafacial.

 

2. Cleansing and Exfoliation

The first step in a Hydrafacial is to thoroughly cleanse the skin and exfoliate dead skin cells using Hydrafacial’s patented Hydro-Peel tip. With three choices of abrasiveness to choose, from the personalization for your Hydrafacial begins here. Depending on your skin type and severity of your acne, the tip used will be customized for your skin. Exfoliation is crucial for any professional acne treatment to remove the buildup of dead skin cells that block pores and lead to breakouts. 

 

3. Glycolic-Salicylic Acid Peel

Once the skin is deep cleansed and exfoliated, a combination glycolic-salicylic acid peel is applied. Again, Hydrafacial gives me 3 choices for strength of peel based on your skin’s needs. This step is absolutely essential for further loosening dirt and debris trapped in the pores and softening them even more to prepare for the extraction phase. The acids used are both known for their acne-fighting properties - glycolic acid helps to exfoliate the skin, while salicylic acid penetrates deeply into the pores to dissolve excess oil and unclog blockages. The result is a clearer complexion with fewer future breakouts when performed in a series of multiple regular treatments.

 

4. Vortex-Extractions

One of the most beneficial and most widely known steps of any Hydrafacial – especially for acne-prone skin - is the extraction process. During this step, the Hydrafacial device uses a vacuum-like suction to gently remove blackheads, whiteheads, and other impurities from the pores.  At the same time, it infuses a Beta-Hydroxy Acid solution into the pores that gives a power-washing effect and further chemical exfoliation. Unlike traditional extractions that can be painful and leave the skin red and irritated, Hydrafacial extractions are painless and non-irritating. The gentle suction helps to clear congested pores, reducing the likelihood of future breakouts.

 

5. Booster Serum Infusion

Now the skin is prepared to receive treatment serums and therapies that will address the causes of the acne. The Clarifying Booster dissolves excess oil and purifies pores to treat acne and help prevent future breakouts, this powerful serum won the 2022 Cosmopolitan Holy Grail Acne Award for BEST FACIAL for its use in the Clarifying Hydrafacial.

 

6. LED Light Therapy

Platinum and Deluxe Hydrafacial treatments include LightStim LED light therapy before their final step. Blue LED light is particularly effective for acne treatment because it targets the acne-causing bacteria *Propionibacterium acnes* (P. acnes). By reducing this bacteria on the skin, blue LED light therapy helps to prevent future breakouts. A session of LightStim Elipsa LED light for Acne will help to reduce inflammation and promote skin healing of both active acne lesions and acne scars.

 

7. Hydration and Serum Infusion

The final step of the Hydrafacial treats the skin with a powerful serum filled with hydrating ingredients, nourishing extracts, antioxidants, and peptides. This step helps to replenish moisture lost during the cleansing and exfoliation process, leaving the skin hydrated and plump. Hydration is especially important for acne-prone skin because many acne treatments can strip the skin of its natural oils, leading to dryness and irritation. By providing deep, water-based hydration, the Hydrafacial helps to maintain the skin's moisture balance and supports the healing of acne.

​

Scientific Study on the Effectiveness of Hydrafacial in Treating Acne*

Positive results with Hydrafacial in treating acne from the Journal of Clinical and Aesthetic Dermatology: Efficacy and Tolerability of HydraFacial Clarifying Treatment Series in the Treatment of Active Acne Vulgaris