DIY HYDRA (TYPE) FACIAL - Maximum Moisture infusion facial
DIY HYDRA (ISH) FACIAL YOU CAN DO AT HOME
Many facial salons and Estheticians offer what is called a version of a “hydra facial.”
Ultimately, this is just what it sounds like…a maximum hydrating facial for parched, sensitized and dehydrated skin.
I have a version I like to do (at home) using products I already have and a device that helps really infuse them into the skin.
It’s not quite as intense as an in-office treatment, but this is a wonderful way to get similar results or maintain the results at home between office visits.
COST:
HYDRA FACIAL - In office can range from $125++ per facial
HOME HYDRA FACIAL - (after equipment purchase) range ~$20 per facial (approx. 20 facials)
*This post contains both links to my Ageless shop as well as a couple of affiiliate links (purchases from which I may be paid a commission). These are all products I actually use and personally endorse!
HYDRATED SKIN CHARACTERISTICS:
-Youthful, more dewey
-Glowing
-Hydrated and looks great with or with minimal makeup
Perfect candidate for a HYDRA FACIAL!
Dry, dehydrated SKIN
Lines/wrinkles (Forehead, eyes, mouth area)
Uneven skintone/texture
Best time to do a HYDRA FACIAL?
-Whenever your skin is looking tired, lackluster
-Sagging, dry skin
-Parched, flaky
-Winter: Drying indoor heat can really sap moisture. Also extreme cold and winds are hydration zappers.
Here is the protocol for an easy DIY HYDRA FACIAL:
First, you must cleanse and lightly exfoliate the skin.
You do not want to do a deep exfoliation; just a light goat milk or lactic/mandelic acid peel is perfect. This will help remove the dead skin cells and leave your skin ready to “drink” in the moisture.
Use gentle exfoliators only.
Avoid deep chemicals, microdermabrastion or scrubs.
Lactic acid, AHA or Mandelic Acid is a a great option for a pre-facial exfoliation.
ABOUT MANDELIC ACID:
WHAT DOES MANDELIC ACID DO?
BRIGHTENS + ENHANCES COMPLEXION
SOFTENS LINES
REDUCES DISCOLORATION / SUN DAMAGE
Second, you will want to start the layering process.
This is best done with a series of hydrating serums. My choice is the Dr. Esthe HYAL, VITA-C or the MGF and HYAL.
Choose two serums. Anything with hyaluronic acid is excellent. Then add a Vitamin C or other treatment-type serum.
>> DO NOT USE ANY RETINOLS or ACIDS. <<
Use only light, very easily-absorbed hydrating serums. Avoid anything to heavy or creamy at this point.
You can first mist your face with a hydrating mist, like rosewater or a similar facial mist. (OPTIONAL)
If using the HYAL and MGF (plla-infused) you can use the HOP+ H2 Mist.
After misting, you can start applying layers:
HYALURONIC ACID FIRST, THEN SERUM LAYERS
First, apply your HYAL or hyaluronic acid to damp skin (mist first or just be sure your skin is damp). A pure hyaluronic acid is best.
Then start layering your serums (either Vitamin C or MGF or other). Let each layer sink in.
After about a minute, apply another layer of this serum.
KEY: Do this up to 5 times.
>> I personally do about 3-4, but you can do as many as 6-8 layers. I think that’s a bit much, but to each his own! If you feel your skin needs it, go for it! This may be particularly beneficial for hands or tops of feet.
At this point, you use your microneedling pen with a NANO tip.
The NANO tip is amazing for helping to really penetrate product. You only want to use this tip with non-reactive/non-acid/non-retinoid-type serums and creams.
Vitamin C and hyaluronic acid are two of the very best you can use with this tip. See what a NANO tip looks like.
NANO:
Apply a final layer of your serum, then working in small circular motions over your face (neck and chest), you can use your pen to nano this serum into your skin. You want a generous layer of serum to be able to really move your nano pen around on the skin.
EXTREME HYDRA FACIAL:
Follow the steps above except, NANO EVERY LAYER OF SERUM into your skin vs. just the final layer of serum. This is more time-consuming but it will more closely resemble a professional treatment and give you an even deeper level of hydration. If you are very dehydrated, this is a wonderful treatment!
TYPES OF MICRONEEDLES:
NANO TIP (left) - has no actual “needles” but a series of light raised spheres. Using this with a serum can help really penetrate the product deeper than application alone.
—Use the nano tip for this HYDRA FACIAL—
MICRONEEDLE (right) - this is an actual series of needles (varying from a few to numerous) that will actualy micro-perforate the skin leaving a series of tiny “holes” in the skin.
This is a great option to use for light microneedling and product penetration (.25mm) or a deeper collagen-inducing treatment (.75mm++) that can actually help bring forth collagen production, reduce scars, tighten/lift skin and reduce wrinkles.
Nano procedures are not painful and do not actually penetrate the skin like a regular microneedle. They are about helping to penetrate the product into your skin at a deeper, but safe level.
>> Need a great microneedling pen?* I use this one and LOVE it - super easy to use, very effective and you can use a variety of
needles (including nano tips) with it
>> This microneedling set comes with two Nano tips you can try!
>> DO NOT USE A REGULAR MICRONEEDLE WITH THIS TREATMENT.
FINAL LAYER:
—APPLY A THICK NON-ACTIVE MOISTURE CREAM—
When finished, wait for everything really sink in (about 5 minutes) and then apply a nice hydrating moisturizer. I love to use a barrier cream or lotion, but you can use any non-active (no acids or retinols) cream or lotion.
GET A FREE DUAL BARRIER CREAM
OPTIONAL - LOCK IN THE MOISTURE
If you like you can go over this with any one of these tools. Not necessary, but feels so great and helps really lock in the product!
-Cool jade roller - this feels amazing over and can help really reduce any residual fluid from your face and leave your skin refreshed.
-Skin Energizer - the next level to skincare! This tool can help heat (penetrate) product or cool to soothe and lock in product. Excellent after sensitizing treatments like microneedling, lasers, peels, etc. See the Skin Energizer
Can I use other serums for this facial?
Yes, it won’t be exactly the “HYDRA FACIAL” but you can nano-pen these serums:
CAVIPLLA - perform nano-pen at foaming stage
VITAMIN C
HEVATOX GOLD LIFTING AMPOULE
NeoGenesis Booster
NeoGenesis Recovery
HOW LONG DOES THE DIY HYDRA FACIAL LAST?
By working in layers with your serum application and the using a nano-pen, results from this ultra-hydrating facial should last several days (likely 5-7).
The more often you do it, the more hydrated your skin will remain.
HOW OFTEN SHOULD YOU DO THIS FACIAL?
I would suggest once monthly.
You can do it 2 times monthly if your skin is very, very parched.
WHERE CAN I PERFORM THE HYDRA FACIAL - Face, Body?
You can do this facial on your:
Face
Neck
Chest
Hands - really helps infuse moisture into dry, crepy hands
Top of Feet - great before sandal season!
PRE-EVENT / VACATION
Perfect facial to do before events, vacations or whenever you really need to look you best and need some deep hydration.
Do it about 24 hours before events.