HydraFacial Cost and Comparison to Similar Treatments

• Compared to similar treatments, the HydraFacial improves the look and health of skin with little to no downtime. 
• The cost of a HydraFacial treatment will depend largely on the procedure you choose, your location and practitioner. 
• The average cost of treatment is between $150 and $350. 
• Add-on treatments can increase the cost of the HydraFacial by $25 to $150. 

The HydraFacial is a popular resurfacing treatment that uses hydro microdermabrasion to gently cleanse, exfoliate, hydrate and rejuvenate the skin. This is achieved using high pressured jets of water and the hydra peel tip — a small, pen-like device that vacuums out blackheads and impurities while plumping the skin.

Because it’s nonabrasive, it can be an appropriate treatment for many, including those with sensitive skin who may not be able to undergo other procedures. 

This treatment can reduce acne and hyperpigmentation, improve the evenness of the skin and reduce the appearance of pores. Individuals may also choose some add-ons such as boosting serums, LED therapy and lymphatic drainage massages to further increase benefits.

How Much Does a HydraFacial Cost?

The cost of a HydraFacial will depend on your location, choice of practitioner and the treatments you choose. This treatment typically isn’t covered by insurance, so expect to pay out of pocket.

In most cases, the HydraFacial costs between $150–$350 per treatment, with sessions ranging from thirty to ninety minutes: the longer the session, the higher the price. 

This is slightly more expensive than the average microdermabrasion session, which costs between  $75–$200. However, it is less expensive than other noninvasive alternatives such as microneedling, which typically costs about $500 per session.

What’s Involved in the Cost?

Prices will increase if boosting serums are included in the treatment. Add-ons such as LED therapy and lymphatic drainage massages will also further increase costs.

Basic HydraFacial

The basic HydraFacial cleanses, exfoliates and removes impurities from the skin. Most people will only require treatment once or twice per month to maintain their results, but some may also choose to have a HydraFacial before a big event. 

Each treatment removes about two weeks’ worth of dead skin cells and debris. When repeated regularly over time, these facial treatments will improve overall skin health.

Boosting serums

Boosting serums are added during the HydraFacial treatment to offer additional benefits. Options include the following:

• Brightalive, a nonretinol, to improve hyperpigmentation and brighten skin tone 
• Connective tissue growth factor (CTGF), which may help minimize the appearance wrinkles and fine lines
• Dermabuilder, which contains peptides to reduce signs of aging, including age spots
• Britenol, which uses botanical ingredients to help reduce the effects of sun damaged skin such as sun spots

The addition of a HydraFacial boosting serum can add $25–$50 to the standard HydraFacial cost. 

LED therapy

There’s evidence that light therapy can enhance collagen production, resulting in smooth, youthful skin. LED therapy uses red and blue LED lights to both slow the rate at which collagen is broken down, and to stimulate collagen production, boosting the concentration level of collagen in the skin.

Red LED lights help to treat wrinkles, rosacea and the effects of sun damage. In many cases, they also reduce the appearance of broken capillaries or scarring. The blue LED lights have been found to help prevent and treat blemishes. 

LED therapy may increase the cost of the HydraFacial treatment by $50–$150 depending on your practitioner, partially due to the increased time required. 

Lymphatic drainage

Lymphatic massages, also called manual lymphatic drainage, are gentle massages of the lymph nodes. In the case of a facial, the massage will target the lymph nodes under the jaw and on the neck. 

The lymphatic system is responsible for eliminating waste and various toxins from the body. 

Lymphatic massages improve the circulation of the lymphatic system, which increases healthy blood flow to the skin and helps drain the waste and excess fluids that can cause inflammation. 

Adding a lymphatic drainage to your HydraFacial may increase the cost of the treatment by $25–$50. 

Treatment	Cost
Basic Hydrafacial	$150–$300/treatment
Plus boosting serum	$25–$50/serum
Plus LED therapy	$50–$150
Plus lymphatic drainage	$25–$50

Aftercare Skin Care Products

There is no required aftercare for the HydraFacial treatment and patients can follow the procedure with their usual skin care regimen. While there is no scientific evidence available, the manufacturer’s of HydraFacial suggest using products they claim can help maintain results at home. These include cleansers, sun protection lotion and night creams. 

How Does the Cost Compare to Similar Treatments?

There are several commonly-used alternative treatments that can resurface the skin including chemical peels, microneedling, crystal or diamond-tip microdermabrasion and oxygen facials. 

Chemical peel

Chemical peels are much more abrasive than the HydraFacial and can be irritating, requiring more of a recovery time, but can be effective in resurfacing the skin and treating both acne and scarring. 

Chemical peels are available in varying strengths, including light, medium and deep. Overall, the price range for chemical peels is extremely wide – anywhere from $100–$6,000. Light chemical peels will typically cost from $100–$200, while medium chemical peels will range from $200–$600 (and more in some cases). Deep chemical peels show a dramatic hike in price, costing anywhere from $3,000–$6,000.

Microneedling

Microneedling using a dermaroller and small needles to puncture the skin and generate new collagen production. There’s little to no downtime, and this procedure may be used to treat scarring. 

This treatment is more expensive than hydro microdermabrasion, and may cost anywhere from $100–$700 per session, with costs varying depending on the size of the area being treated. 

Microdermabrasion (crystal or diamond tip)

Traditional microdermabrasion uses a crystal or diamond-tip device to exfoliate the skin. This is more abrasive and may therefore result in irritation. However it is also slightly more cost-effective, ranging from $75–$200. 

Oxygen facial

Oxygen facials apply pressurized oxygen that contain vitamins and minerals that penetrate the skin. Together, these ingredients promote the development of healthy skin cells and increase collagen to reduce signs of aging such as fine lines, wrinkles and age spots.

An oxygen treatment alone can cost between $40–$80. A full oxygen facial that will include other anti-aging ingredients will cost anywhere from $150–$300 per visit.

In the case of an oxygen facial, repeat visits are necessary to see results and thereafter to maintain results. A year of these facials may cost you anywhere from $2,500–$5,000. These facials are gentle and have little recovery time. 

Cost comparison table

Treatment	Cost	Overview
HydraFacial	$150 to $300 Plus boosting serum: $25–$50/serum  Plus LED therapy: $50–$150 Plus lymphatic drainage: $25–$50	Nonabrasive Nonirritating Can include add-ons to increase benefits
Chemical peel	Wide range	Can be harsh or irritating Requires longer recovery time May provide results with fewer procedures
Microneedling	$500	Gentle and nonabrasive Increases collagen production
Microdermabrasion	$75–$200	Potentially irritating Cost effective
Oxygen facial	$150–$300	Nonabrasive Requires repeat procedures

Takeaway

The HydraFacial is a relatively new procedure that is rapidly gaining popularity due to its many benefits. 

Due to the HydraFacial’s nonabrasive and gentle process, it is a safe option for most people, even for those with sensitive skin. The lack of downtime makes it a good option for those who want a low-maintenance treatment with fast results. Maintaining results, however, will require repeat treatments. 

HydraFacials are available at a lower cost than most abrasive facial treatments, and show a comparable cost to other nonabrasive options. Overall, HydraFacials are a strong choice for many people looking to cleanse their skin and improve their complexion.