What Its Really Like Getting A Hydrafacial

I let a machine vacuum my face, and it’s never looked or felt better. No, really.

I’d heard the buzz about Hydrafacials—celebrities swear by them, influencers gush over their post-facial glow, and I figured, if it’s good enough for Hailey Bieber’s million-dollar cheekbones, it’s good enough for me.

So I booked the appointment and prepared to have my skin’s deepest, darkest secrets vacuumed away.

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First things first: What the heck is a Hydrafacial?

A hydrafacial is basically a high-tech, non-invasive procedure. Before I knew better, I’d heard the word ‘hydrafacial’ and assumed it was just a spa treatment where someone washed and massaged your face. Nope. Not at all!

Think of it like a deep clean, exfoliation extraction, and hydration treatment all rolled into one glorious moment. A machine (yep, sci-fi vibes) uses a tiny wand to exfoliate, and actually suction out every pore-clogging bit of leftover makeup, skincare product, and dirt that’s ever been on your face, and then flood your skin with serums tailored to your skin concerns—hydration, anti-aging, glow, you name it.

Sounds peaceful, right? Well… not quite yet.

Pre-HydraFacial Nerves: Am I Going to Look Like a Tomato?

I showed up to the spa feeling a mix of excitement and nerves. I asked the esthetician if this procedure would leave me with red blotchy skin for a while. And I was pleased to learn that no, not in the slightest. In fact, you’ll leave your appointment with a beautiful glow. No redness! The machine only extracts gunk and won’t give you a blotchy complexion.

The Experience: Vaccuming, and Science

The first step: exfoliation. The esthetician glided the wand over my face, and let me tell you, it was like having a tiny tornado of suction gently spinning across my cheeks. It felt oddly satisfying. Imagine a Dyson vacuum, but for your pores.

This only took a few minutes, was painless, and left my face the cleanest it’s been in, well, my whole life. This wasn’t like the old-school facials where they poke and prod until tears form in your eyes. The machine just gently removed all the junk lurking beneath the surface of my skin.

Serum: The Hydration Part

Once my skin was stripped of all its impurities, it was time to drench it in goodness. The esthetician applied a series of hydrating serums, and I swear, my skin drank them up like a dehydrated plant in a rainstorm.

Finally, Some Red Light Therapy

To wrap up the hydrafacial session, I was given 10 minutes of red light therapy.

By the time everything was done, I felt like I’d been reborn. My face was so glowy I could have doubled as a solar panel. And the best part? No redness or irritation. Just smooth, radiant, baby-soft skin.

My results:

• Photo on the left: taken a few minutes before my hydrafacial appointment. Wearing no makeup. No filter.
• Photo on the right: the day after my hydrafacial. Wearing mascara, and light foundation. No filter. The glow coming through is STRONG!

Hydrafacial Glow That Lasts for 4-6 Weeks

I couldn’t stop staring at my reflection on the way home (and okay, in every shiny surface I passed). My skin was plump, dewy, and looked like I had just emerged from a 10-hour nap on a cloud. The glow was real, friends. I felt like a walking skincare commercial, minus the soft focus and wind machine.

Whats more, hydrafacial results last 4-6 weeks. So if you love yours (which I bet you will) you can book them a few times a year.

The Benefits of Hydrafacials (a.k.a. Why You Should Let a Machine Vacuum Your Face Too)

Here’s the scoop: Hydrafacials are great for all skin types. They exfoliate, extract, and hydrate all at once, leaving your skin smoother, brighter, and more even-toned.

They also help with fine lines, acne, and hyperpigmentation—so basically, everything that stands between you and that “glowing goddess” life. And unlike harsher treatments, there’s no downtime. You can literally go get a Hydrafacial on your lunch break and return to work looking like you just robbed JLo’s skincare cabinet.

How Much Do Hydrafacials Cost?

The price of a hydrafacial will vary by location. I’ve heard they can range anywhere from $150-350 USD. I paid $250 CAD for mine on Vancouver Island.

Would I Do It Again?

Absolutely. Hydrafacials have officially joined the ranks of Things I’ll Happily Spend Money On, right next to good coffee and high-thread-count sheets. Sure, it’s an investment, but in the name of healthy, glowy skin, it’s worth every penny.

So, if you’ve been on the fence about trying one, consider this your sign. Trust me, your future glowy-faced self will thank you.

Have you tried a Hydrafacial yet? Or do you also secretly fear suction machines?