Jenni Gilbert In the beginning there was microdermabrasion. There still is; as all skin professionals know, a non-surgical facial resurfacing technique that mechanically exfoliates the outermost layer of dead skin cells (stratum corneum) and vacuums them away, leaving skin feeling softer and smoother and, if done well, looking younger and more vibrant.
Many microdermabrasion machines use either aluminium oxide crystals (aka corundum) or diamonds to abrade the skin. These machines consist of a compressor that draws in air through a hand-held stainless steel or glass wand. When the wand touches the skin, a vacuum is created.
In the wrong hands, devices harnessing corundum or diamond crystals to exfoliate the skin can be way counterproductive, even downright damaging.
Newer generation micro-exfoliation devices harness water as their “abrasion” quotient, but do so much more besides.
HydraFacial, for instance, uses patented technology to cleanse, extract, and hydrate with super serums comprised of nourishing ingredients that create an instantly gratifying glow.
A HydraFacial treatment:
- Cleanses and peels
- Extracts and hydrates. The treatment removes debris from pores with painless suction and nourishes with intense moisturisers
- Fuses and protects, saturating the skin’s surface with antioxidants and peptides to maximise glow
Perth-based cosmetic surgeon Dr Jayson Oates, of Academy Laser Clinics, has found HydraFacial a boon for both his patients and the bottom line.
“My patients love HydraFacial treatments,” he says. “It is comfortable, even relaxing, and patients leave feeling incredibly satisfied that their skin has had a complete workout but without being bright red!
“Indeed, the walk out feeling `fresh faced’ and glowing and also knowing they’ve got value for money. They can even see what we’ve extracted out of their pores – should they wish!
“HydraFacial can be very versatile and we love combining it with LED 830nm/415nm in our practice for our acne and anti-ageing treatments.
“For a more advanced treatment we combine HydraFacial with IPL photo rejuvenation and skin needling.
“We may perform a short course of HydraFacial first to improve overall skin health and speed up cell turnover and then continue the patient on a course of skin needling.
“By combining the two modalities we are achieving the best possible results for our patients and we always recommend the HydraFacial for maintaining their skin post-treatments.
“HydraFacial is suitable for all skin types. The treatment can be tailored to suit every skin, from young and delicate to darker Fitzpatrick skin types, to men with thickened skin texture.
“Acne, fine lines, age prevention, minor pigmentation, texture and pores are all things we can see improvements in [with HydraFacial].
“We have been consulting to a new resort spa in the Maldives and our first recommendation was HydraFacial. Immediate results with no downtime – great for a holiday treatment. But a series of treatments really makes a difference to the skin over time.”
