You may have heard about HydraFacial, the 3-in-1 “wet” treatment that combines exfoliation with pore extraction and infusion of medical-grade products. It’s available at Palo Alto Laser and Skin Care, giving clients an instant glow and baby-smooth skin. However, it’s much more than an aesthetic treatment that you can treat yourself to on a monthly basis. According to a 2022 study published in the Journal of Clinical Aesthetic Dermatology, it’s also an effective tool for treating active acne vulgaris. This means those with current breakouts can reduce their acne and even prevent or reduce future breakouts with this luxe procedure.
A research team set out on a 12-week, multicenter investigation to determine the “efficacy and tolerability” of the HydraFacial for skin improvement in those with active breakouts. It included 20 adult patients who each had mild to moderate acne. They were enrolled at one of two treatment centers in the U.S. and underwent a total of six HydraFacial treatments spaced every two weeks for three months. This is a bit more than what most clients opt for when simply trying to revitalize their skin and get a glow, but bi-monthly treatments are also suitable for all skin tones and types.
How HydraFacial Works
The HydraFacial takes three simultaneous approaches to skin care. It includes cleansing and peeling, a suction to extract sebum/dead skin cells/debris, and a blue LED light application. Finally, skin is bathed in hand-selected medical-grade skin care products. The researchers graded the severity of participant acne using the Global Acne Severity Score. The researchers found that after the final treatment, between 80 – 100 percent of both investigators and participants “agreed or strongly agreed” that there was an improvement in skin appearance. This included a variety of assessment parameters and, overall, the HydraFacial was well tolerated by all.
The team concludes, “The results presented here suggest that a series of six HydraFacial Clarifying treatments improves overall skin appearance in patients with active acne.” Most people will have acne at some point in their lives, and acne vulgaris—common acne—is the most prevalent. It is estimated that 45 million people in the U.S. alone have this condition and while many are young adults, it can persist throughout a person’s life. Acne can be found in over 90 percent of adolescents and up to 14 percent of those young people continue to struggle with acne into adulthood. While acne is a medical/dermatological condition and there are more severe types of acne, which can be painful, all types of acne have shown in a number of studies to have negative social and emotional consequences. For instance, research shows that those with acne are more likely to struggle with low self-esteem, anxiety, and depression. In turn, improving acne can help patients beyond aiding in physical appearance.
Acne Options
For many years, microdermabrasion has been a popular in-office treatment for acne. It’s an exfoliative treatment that uses an abrasive force. However, it is also harsh by nature. HydraFacial uses a hydradermabrasion technique so patients get all the benefits of exfoliation without the harshness that can worsen acne. It uses a type of vortex technology combined with topical products to cleanse and exfoliate skin that is oily and congested (and, in turn, most prone to acne). Of course, you don’t have to have acne to benefit from this powerful and yet gentle procedure—anyone can get clearer, more youthful skin with a HydraFacial.
When participants were asked to self-grade the results, they said their skin looked clearer, had less erythema, looked less congested and oily, and overall appeared more radiant and healthier. They said they were more confident in their appearance, that there were fewer acne lesions, and that their skin seemed cleaner. Of the 20 initial patients, 18 completed all six treatments while the other two completed five. Most were female and the median age was 29.5 years old. The research team says that the “series resulted in statistically significant improvement in both investigator and patient GASS from baseline to final treatment.” Investigators and participants alike noticed an “immediate improvement in skin appearance” after just the first treatment. These results continued to improve over time and with every succeeding treatment.
Is HydraFacial for You?
This was the first clinical study to determine if a HydraFacial was a tolerable treatment that could significantly improve active acne. “Importantly, 100 percent of patients agreed or strongly agreed that their skin looked and felt cleaner and that they felt more confident in their appearance,” state the researchers. If you want to see the HydraFacial difference for yourself, schedule a consultation or appointment with Palo Alto Laser and Skin Care today. Call the office or complete the online contact form now.