HydraFacial vs. Microdermabrasion: Choosing the Right Skin Renewal

Your skin covers your entire body, and because it’s constantly exposed to the environment, skin cells are replaced at a ridiculously high rate (up to 40,000 cells per minute). The result is millions of dead skin cells gathering on the body, and without proper cleaning, they can clog pores and lead to conditions like acne.

Exfoliation helps by scrubbing away dead skin cells, and you can achieve it through several skin care treatments, including HydraFacials and Microdermabrasion. To find the best solution for your needs, let’s explore both options and the advantages each offers.

The Lake Oswego Laser and Aesthetics Center of Lake Grove ENT, commonly referred to as LOLA, helps the people of Lake Oswego, Oregon, with a variety of skin care needs.

Understanding microdermabrasion

This process exfoliates the uppermost layer of your skin and helps promote skin cell growth, collagen production, and the exposure of new, undamaged skin layers. It can be done in one of two ways:

Diamond microdermabrasion

A diamond-tipped wand exfoliates and removes the top layer of skin. It’s similar to sanding the skin, but very gentle.

Crystal microdermabrasion

This uses a series of tiny crystals to remove dry skin cells and debris, and also suctions what it removes when finished.

Both can take between 30 and 40 minutes, and a cream can be prescribed to manage the irritation as your skin heals. With this treatment, you can also manage skin problems like acne, contact dermatitis, psoriasis, eczema, and remove freckles, skin tags, or other growths.

HydraFacial basics

Also referred to as hydrodermabrasion because of the form of microdermabrasion it uses, HydraFacials combine exfoliation with hydrating serums. The procedure occurs in three parts:

Exfoliation

A vortex-like device is placed against your skin to clear oils, dirt, and dead skin cells, followed by exfoliation and resurfacing with a peel.

Extraction

Next, a vacuum attachment is added to the device and used to suction remaining debris from the pores.

Moisturization

Finally, the skin gets an antioxidant-rich moisturizing serum using a pen-like attachment on the same device.

The deep exfoliation and moisturizing help improve skin tone, texture, and overall appearance, and can help treat hyperpigmentation, enlarged pores, and fine lines. Research is promising for managing skin issues like rosacea and acne (including reducing blackheads).

Both can improve skin, but HydraFacials use moisturizers as part of the process (it’s even in the name), which is better for people with more sensitive skin. Issues that require removing a few layers to be most effective are better served by microdermabrasion.

Make an appointment with the LOLA team at Lake Grove ENT today to determine the best skin treatment for your needs.