It is fast becoming one of the most popular beauty treatments on the market for people who want to given their skin a boost without undergoing anything invasive. The Hydrafacial uses technology patented in California in the 1990s to cleanse, extract impurities, and hydrate the skin with the goal of delivering a brighter, glowing and rejuvenated complexion. It can be used to treat a range of skin complaints, from acne to rosacea to fine lines, wrinkles and blocked pores.
READ MORE: The Herald goes inside Scotland's cosmetic industry: Read all the articles From 'salmon sperm' injections to £1000 facials - the new bridal beauty trends INSIGHT The nurses leaving the NHS for a career in aesthetics 'Cut throat' cosmetic sector 'not a nice industry to be in' On a Saturday afternoon, I headed to the Skinstitute clinic in Glasgow to try it out for myself. The premises is tucked away in a small industrial estate just south of the River Clyde and a short walk from the BBC and STV studios. I'm greeted by the business owner Jodie McLuskie, who ushers me into the treatment room where I fill out the health questionnaire and consent forms before we start.
For the most part I don't have any major skin complaints: a few fine lines on my forehead, a bit of oiliness in the T-zone, visible pores, and the occasional breakout on my chin. But I'm curious to try the Hydrafacial for myself after hearing rave reviews from other customers. It is a multi-step process and, unlike traditional facials where products are massaged into the skin manually by the therapist, the Hydrafacial uses a wand-like device to clear out the pores and pump various cleansing agents back in to maximise results.
Skinstitute, which opened in 2022, has been using the Syndeo - an advanced delivery system for Hydrafacials - since August 2023. It was the first clinic in Glasgow to offer Syndeo, which promises increased comfort for consumers and ease-of-use for therapists. Lying back on the treatment bed, we begin with step one: a quick cleanse of the skin to remove any oil and debris from the surface of the skin.
The next step is lymphatic therapy. The wand is passed over my forehead, cheeks, and jaw to "eliminate toxins and create a sculpting and contouring effect", said Ms McLuskie. It has a pulsating sensation, a bit like an electric toothbrush, and the experience is wonderfully relaxing.
For step three, Ms McLuskie applies lactic acid - a natural exfoliant - to my skin. It can help to reduce the appearance of wrinkles or hyperpigmentation, and to tighten pores. "I think of it as like a PacMan chomping up the dead skin cells," said Ms McLuskie.
After this, she applies a peel - in my case a mixture of glycolic acid (to plump the skin and enhance radiance) and salicylic acid (to counter the oiliness in my T-zone area). Skinstitute owner, Jodie McLuskie, showing the water containing impurities and other debris extracted from the skin during the Hydrafacial (Image: HelenMcArdle) This is followed by the "extractions" phase, where pores are opened up and impurities such as blackheads are sucked out using the Hydrafacial wand. It sounds brutal but the whole process is painless.
For some clients - including myself - Ms McLuskie will also manually extract a few remaining blackheads. Even this is surprisingly relaxing; it feels a bit like having a stray eyebrow hair tweezed out. READ MORE: Scot Govt pledges to 'close gaps' in cosmetic sector regulation INSIDE STORY Why is it so hard to sue when treatments go horribly wrong? SPECIAL REPORT Scotland's cosmetic sector: What's going on with regulation? The procedure concludes with the application of booster treatments tailored to each client (in my case, a spot treatment), and then the infusion of various antioxidants, peptides, amino acids, and hyaluronic acid designed to tighten, brighten and hydrate.
Afterwards, my head is slotted under a Celluma medical grade LED light for 20 minutes to encourage collagen and elastin production, and to help the products absorb into the skin. I was placed under the red - anti-ageing - light, but it can also be set to blue light to help clients with acne. For the final step, Ms McLuskie applies a little SPF across my skin.
No make up, no filter: My post-Hydrafacial skin felt soft and hydrated - but I hoped for more of a 'glow' (Image: HelenMcArdle) The treatment takes around 50 minutes in total. As for the results? My skin definitely felt great - soft, hydrated, and cleansed. My pores seemed less visible too, and when I got up the next day my skin also seemed more 'mattified' than usual.
That said, I'm not sure that I saw the visible, instant glow that other people report. I also missed the relaxation that comes from a traditional facial massage. The wand is a great innovation, but there is a lot to be said for healing hands.
A personalised Platinum Hydrafacial at Skinstitute (including boosters) costs £175 each , or £115/month if you book a six-month package upfront through the HydraClub.
