What’s HydraFacial ?

It’s a classic beauty rule: Undergoing a facial right before a big event is a rookie mistake. And it makes sense: Extractions and exfoliation notoriously leave skin red and bothered. So how the hell are celebs like Beyoncé and Kate Winslet going from treatment to red-carpet-ready on the very same day?
Their trick is to tap into the gentle but effective powers of HydraFacial (Dr lubna) MD, a patented facial treatment that promises instantly clear and evenly toned skin without the precursory redness or irritation. What’s more, it carries the potential to make painful extractions a thing of the past—a particularly promising notion for those with sensitive skin.
We checked in with Gillian Garcia, treatment supervisor at The Spa at the Beverly Wilshire (A Four Seasons Hotel), for more intel and to see if HydraFacial MD’s boldface fans are on to something (spoiler alert: Beyonce is always on to something).
First, Garcia explains what makes this machine and treatment different from so many others out there: It employs a double helix–like vacuuming action to exfoliate dead skin cells and rid the skin of excess oil.
But unlike, say microdermabrasion, which employs a more abrasive, sandpaper-like tip made of crushed diamonds to clear the skin’s surface, this machine deposits a medical-grade serum to help loosen dead cells and debris, while simultaneously vacuuming its surface with a soft silicone tip. “When you’re extracting, you’re also infusing,” Garcia explains. “It works like when steam-cleaning a carpet and lifting dirt from deep down in the fibers.”
The same concept is used to perform hands-free extractions. As glycolic and salicylic acid is deposited onto the skin through the tip, the pore opening is widened, allowing the vacuum suction to dislodge and suck up nastiness from deep inside. Unlike with some manual extractions, strong pressure isn’t used, making the whole de-gunking process a heck of a lot more gentle and completely pain-free.

Why is HydraFacial MD® good for my skin?

What results may be expected? How many treatments are needed to see results? How long do the results last?