With a catalog of cosmetic treatments available, it can be hard to find the one best suited to your needs. Laser, peels, and fillers: they all sound beneficial, so how can you know which to choose? At Aesthetic Anti-Aging Center in Macon, GA, we recommend you start with a HydraFacial, a gentle and effective therapy ensured to improve your skin’s overall appearance.
How Long Does a HydraFacial Last?
This facial yields two pivotal results: smooth skin and hydration. You can expect these results to persist for up to two weeks. Other effects, such as those listed below, can last slightly longer:
- Reduced appearance of fine lines and wrinkles
- Removal of blackheads
- Unclogged and smaller pores
- Improved sunspots and other discoloration
- Added firmness and volume
Collagen Production
Unexpectedly, this facial stimulates the body’s production of collagen, which in turn prompts elastin. These proteins work in tandem to give skin its bounce and elasticity. Thanks to both, you’ll enjoy a fresher and more youthful appearance for several months after treatment, even as other effects start to wane.
Continuity Helps Extend Results
For the best results, we recommend you incorporate a HydraFacial into your regular beauty regimen. A more lasting difference can be expected after six treatments scheduled a month apart. After that, you may be able to adjust to maintenance sessions every few months.
Patients with oily skin or frequent breakouts may be advised to have more frequent treatments at first. We may, for example, suggest a regimen of every two or three weeks to heal and prevent breakouts. As the skin renewal process increases with this frequency, you may then be able to go to once monthly treatments.
Additional Ways to Extend Results
After a facial that feels as thorough, and pleasant, as this, you might be thinking you can skip the skincare for a few days. But the truth is that if you want to make your results last as long as possible, you’ll need to partake in some aftercare. This facial does not require downtime, but a little diligence can keep you looking dewy and supple.
Recommendations for Day One
This is considered to be the same day as treatment. First and foremost, it’s important you not pick your skin. You shouldn’t do this at any time, but it’s especially important after a deep cleanse. Picking or popping can cause irritation and affect your results.
Also, forego the toner that can cause dryness and upset your skin’s pH. The HydraFacial eliminates the need for this step anyway. Additionally, make time for the gym on another day. Heat and sweat can be a little too harsh for your exfoliated skin. Finally, wash your face with only a gentle cleanser and lukewarm water. Pat your face dry after – don’t rub.
Additional Suggestions
We mentioned just a moment ago that heat can be harsh on the skin. This includes hot tubs, steam rooms, and hot showers, which should be skipped. Also forego the makeup, which can contribute to clogged pores and, depending on their ingredients, may irritate your skin.
Days Two and Three
Less is more at this point, at least where your skincare regimen is concerned. You should therefore avoid home peels and masks. Also, steer clear of products that contain salicylic acid or retinol. They can irritate your skin, as can sun exposure. The face is especially sensitive to UV rays after a deep cleanse, so wear sunscreen and a hat when going outside.
Days Four to Seven
If you normally have hair removal treatments on your face, it’s best to skip this week’s session. Waxing and laser exfoliate the skin, and putting your face through such trauma will diminish your glowing radiance.
Everyday Habits
If you want healthy skin, drinking water is a given. Proper hydration keeps the skin plump and also flushes away toxins that contribute to acne breakouts and a dull complexion. Reach for at least eight glasses a day, and your skin’s health will improve even as the effects of your facial improve your natural radiance.
Another non-negotiable is moisturizer. You can’t skimp on this, even for a day, because it helps maintain your skin’s natural barrier. Also, include sunscreen in your daily routine to prevent sun damage and skin cancer.
Answers to Your Questions
What It Is
Exfoliation is one of the most important, and perhaps most overlooked, steps in any skincare regimen. At-home products can contribute to the debris that accumulates on the skin’s surface, and common cosmetic therapies like microdermabrasion effectively resurface the face but can be irritating for sensitive or acne-prone skin.
A HydraFacial promptly solves these concerns by using water as the means of exfoliation. It incorporates a three-step process – cleansing, extraction, and hydration – using a single medical-grade wand. This wand has two chambers: one to pull dirt and dead cells from the skin and another to deliver a rich and healthy serum that contains growth factors, peptides, and antioxidants.
Consistency Is Key
The result is a consistent facial with predictable results. Nor does it over-stimulate or over-scrub the skin. Instead, the wand – with its patented technology – effortlessly removes grime from the surface and within pores to make way for deep-penetrating nutrients. Essentially, this treatment provides the effects of a peel, microdermabrasion, and hydrating mask without side effects or pain. It is safe for all skin types, even those that are sensitive, and allows the skin to once again breathe freely.
Next, a spiral suction tip is applied to the hand-held wand to “vacuum” up surface debris and dead cells. This serves as a form of extraction, but without the pain and irritation that usually accompanies this step. A chemical peel solution is then delivered, still using the wand, to deeply exfoliate skin tissues.
Addressing Your Particular Needs
The final step, and the one patients tend to enjoy the most, is pressurized delivery of serums. These are customized to meet your skin’s exact needs. Additionally, all steps are completed via a water-based solution that hydrates the skin. The moisture provided by this facial is, in fact, far more impressive than most cosmetic therapies.
What to Expect at Treatment
The treatment lasts between 45 minutes and an hour. You’ll notice it follows the same primary steps as a traditional spa facial. The difference is in the device used, which incorporates Vortex technology to open pores. Human hands cannot mimic this action, as the technology simultaneously sucks away impurities and delivers hydrating solutions.
This unique movement also induces lymphatic drainage and improves circulation. You’ll see immediate improvements that will continue to develop in the coming days. Skin feels softer and smoother, looks less puffy, and shows fewer lines.
Patient Candidacy
As stated earlier, this treatment is safe for all skin types. This is due in part to the gentle methods employed by the wand as well as the customized delivery of nutrients. Despite these qualities, some patients should delay treatment, including those with severe acne and chronic rosacea. It is also not recommended for women who are pregnant or breastfeeding.
The Right Time to Have Treatment
A HydraFacial can benefit patients at almost any age. For those in their 20s, it can improve skin clarity and stave off early signs of aging. In the 30s, when collagen production takes a hit, it can revitalize and resurface tired or dull skin. Patients over 40 can benefit from the delivery of moisture-rich nutrients, as the skin starts to lose its supple nature.
All patients can benefit from a reduction in fine lines and wrinkles, which can make you appear older than you are. And collagen production is beneficial at any age, as it keeps skin strong and firm. So, the right time to opt for this treatment is anytime.
Pre-Treatment Instructions
Before treatment, it is best if you stop using Isotretinoin products unless a member of our staff has told you otherwise. The same is true of topical Retin-A; discontinue use unless we have given you clearance. Also refrain from exfoliating treatments, chemical peels, and laser treatments. Other activities to avoid include:
- Waxing and depilatories
- Using over-the-counter products that contain salicylic acid or benzoyl peroxide
- Tanning in artificial beds
We’ll give you a specific timeline for each of these, but in general, the recommended guidelines are to stop the particular action 72 to 48 hours before treatment. The exceptions are Retin-A and chemical peels/laser treatments, which should be discontinued six months and two weeks before treatment respectively.
Benefits of HydraFacial
In less than one hour, you can improve skin radiance, tone, and texture without having to endure downtime. This serves in stark contrast to a number of treatments that can inflict redness, peeling, and extreme sensitivity. Additionally, facials do not normally provide the number of benefits this one does. You’ll enjoy:
- Improved firmness
- Reduced pores
- Plump and hydrated skin
- Camera-ready complexion
No Inflammation
Many patients skip the exfoliation step in their spa facials because of the pain and inflammation it causes. But this treatment uses vacuum and water power instead of manual lancing or squeezing. We can therefore safely include extraction with the treatment to cleanse your skin far more deeply and effectively.
In addition, the hand-held wand can be customized to address a variety of concerns. Acne, sun damage, and hyperpigmentation can be treated at different settings, thus making it beneficial for almost any patient.
Far Less Skin Trauma
Water is delivered to the skin with every movement of the wand. This means no:
- Scraping
- Needling
- Skin pulling
- Abrasion
- Pinching
Your skin, therefore, endures far less trauma and needs less time to recover. Thanks to this quality, the HydraFacial can be repeated at regular intervals to keep skin moist and glowy. Brides tend to have a treatment once weekly in the months leading up to their wedding to ensure they look young and radiant.
Skin Health Is Dramatically Improved
We immediately address skin health simply by unclogging the pores. But this goes further with the delivery of nutrients, like antioxidants and vitamins, that protect your face from harmful free radicals and environmental pollution. Additionally, we must again stress this facial ramps up collagen production to treat and prevent the development of fine lines and wrinkles.
No Ordinary Facial
Before you think you’ve heard all you can about facials, you haven’t yet fully explored the benefits of a HydraFacial. With its multitude of benefits and gentle application, we recommend you try one first-hand. Call the experts at the Aesthetic Anti-Aging Center in Macon, GA, today to schedule your appointment.
