Taula de Continguts
- What HydraFacial is and what it does to the skin
- The three steps: cleansing and peel, extraction and hydration
- Signature, Deluxe and Platinum: what changes between protocols
- Beyond the face: Perk for lips and eyes, and Keravive for the scalp
- Skin in the city: dry air, heating and pollution
- Who it is for and when it is better to wait
- How we work at Santé Madrid
- After the session: aftercare and frequency
- Frequently asked questions
HydraFacial is a hydradermabrasion facial treatment that cleanses and exfoliates the skin, extracts impurities from the pores and infuses hydrating serums in a single session. At Santé Madrid we perform it with the Signature, Deluxe and Platinum protocols, and the medical team chooses the protocol after assessing your skin. In this guide we explain what happens at each step, what sets each protocol apart, who it makes sense for, when it is better to wait and how to care for your skin afterwards, with the city's climate very much in mind.
Key points
- HydraFacial combines three actions in one treatment: cleansing with exfoliation and a gentle peel, extraction by suction, and hydration with serums.
- Signature is the base protocol; Deluxe adds a booster and LED light; Platinum also adds lymphatic drainage, according to the manufacturer's description.
- At Santé Madrid we also offer Perk for lips and eyes and Keravive for the scalp.
- Dry air, winter heating and the urban environment can leave skin feeling tight and dull; HydraFacial is one care option, not a solution for everything.
- How often to have it depends on each skin and is set at consultation. Results vary from skin to skin.
What HydraFacial is and what it does to the skin
HydraFacial is the trade name of a hydradermabrasion system; in this article we describe that system, a non-invasive exfoliating technique that works on the most superficial layers of the skin. A study using optical coherence tomography describes it as an exfoliative cosmetic procedure for skin rejuvenation (Razi et al., 2024).
The manufacturer explains that its Vortex-Fusion technology cleanses, exfoliates, extracts and hydrates the skin in one continuous treatment, and that the practitioner can personalise it with boosters, different exfoliation tips, LED light and lymphatic drainage according to each person's needs (HydraFacial, treatment and protocols). No needles are used and the skin is not intentionally broken, which is why it is usually considered a maintenance treatment rather than a corrective procedure.
It is worth keeping expectations realistic. That same study, preliminary and with few participants, described changes in the most superficial layer of the skin, with no visible changes in dermal collagen during follow-up. The data are limited, but they suggest that HydraFacial works on the surface: it can improve how the skin looks, but it does not replace treatments designed to stimulate collagen or treat skin laxity.
The three steps: cleansing and peel, extraction and hydration
Although each protocol can add phases, the base of HydraFacial comes down to three steps. A clinical study on its use in acne describes the treatment in exactly this way: cleansing and peeling, suction to extract dead skin cells, sebum and debris, and a final phase with light (Storgard et al., 2022).
1. Cleansing and peel. First the skin is cleansed and exfoliated with a specific tip. Then a gentle peel is applied to prepare the pores. The manufacturer offers tips with different levels of exfoliation, including one designed for dry or sensitive skin, and the practitioner chooses the right one for you.
2. Extraction. Using controlled suction, the device helps remove impurities from the pores without the manual, pressure-based extraction of a classic facial. In skin with clogged pores or a tendency to blackheads, this phase is usually the most noticeable.
3. Hydration. Finally, serums with antioxidants and hydrating actives are infused. In the more complete protocols, this is where the booster chosen for your case is added.
If you would like to see the process in more detail, our step-by-step HydraFacial guide goes through it phase by phase.
Signature, Deluxe and Platinum: what changes between protocols
The three protocols share the same base and differ in what is added. This table summarises the manufacturer's description and when each one may be considered; the final choice is always made after assessing your skin.
| Protocol | What it includes according to the manufacturer | When it may be considered |
|---|---|---|
| Signature | Cleansing, exfoliation, extraction and hydration | First session, maintenance or skin without a specific need |
| Deluxe | Signature plus a specific booster and LED light | Skin with a specific need: dehydration, uneven tone or clogged pores |
| Platinum | Deluxe plus lymphatic drainage | When a draining effect is also sought; the perception varies from person to person |
Boosters are professional serums that the manufacturer formulates for needs such as dehydration, congestion, uneven tone, texture, redness or visible signs of ageing, with ingredients such as peptides, hyaluronic acid or vitamin C (HydraFacial). The LED light can be red or blue: the manufacturer describes red light for skin seeking a firmer look and blue for skin prone to breakouts (HydraFacial); results vary.
A more complete protocol is not automatically more suitable. If your skin only needs cleansing and hydration, Signature may be enough.
Beyond the face: Perk for lips and eyes, and Keravive for the scalp
As well as the facial protocols, at Santé Madrid we work with two treatments from the same family.
Perk. This is the HydraFacial line for small, delicate areas: the lips and the eye contour. It may be considered as a complement when these areas look drier or duller than the rest of the face. As with the other protocols, whether it makes sense in your case is decided at consultation.
Keravive. This is a non-invasive scalp treatment that, according to the manufacturer, cleanses and stimulates the follicles with gentle suction and exfoliation, nourishes them with peptides and hydration, and is accompanied by a spray for daily use at home. According to the manufacturer, Keravive may be planned as several sessions spaced out over time (HydraFacial Keravive); the number and frequency are set after the assessment. If your concern is hair loss, the right place to start is a hair consultation to assess the cause before choosing a treatment.
Skin in the city: dry air, heating and pollution
If you live in Madrid, you may notice it especially in winter: in general, dry air, heating, sun exposure and the urban environment can leave skin feeling tight, with uneven texture or a dull look, and in some people they can make pores look more visible.
In that context, HydraFacial can fit in as part of skin care for three reasons: it removes dead cells and debris from the surface, helps clear the pores and provides hydration in the same session. It does not replace your daily routine at home or sun protection, which remain the foundation.
It may also be considered before an event or as preparation for other treatments. The manufacturer states that it can be used before, alongside or after other aesthetic procedures, such as laser, peels or injectable treatments, to cleanse and prepare the skin. At Santé Madrid, any combination is decided by the medical team after assessing your case.
Who it is for and when it is better to wait
HydraFacial is usually considered for dehydrated or dull skin, clogged pores, uneven texture or a tendency to blackheads. In its context, the acne study cited above described changes in the appearance of the skin of adults with mild or moderate acne after several sessions. It is a small study with no control group and with the manufacturer's involvement, so the evidence is limited and does not allow generalisation.
For more severe or inflammatory acne, a medical assessment is the first step and, if it does not respond to aesthetic management, the right step is a consultation with a dermatologist.
In all of these cases, mention it at the consultation. The medical team will decide whether to postpone the session, adapt it or choose another option.
How we work at Santé Madrid
Santé Clinics Madrid is at C. de Amador de los Ríos, 1, Chamberí, 28010 Madrid. We are open Monday to Friday from 9:00 to 21:00 and on Saturdays from 10:00 to 15:00; the clinic is closed on Sundays.
The process starts with a free aesthetic consultation with a Beauty Coach, in which we review your skin, your routine and what concerns you. If there is a medical condition, medication or question that requires it, it is assessed in a medical consultation, which costs 50 €. The clinic also has the Observ skin analysis, which can support that assessment.
With that information, the Santé Madrid medical team proposes the HydraFacial protocol that best suits your skin (Signature, Deluxe or Platinum), the booster if appropriate and, if it makes sense, Perk or Keravive. During the session we explain each step and adjust the intensity to your skin, because sensitivity varies from person to person.
We do not make promises about results: results vary from skin to skin, which is why we prefer to explain what you can expect in your specific case before starting.
After the session: aftercare and frequency
Each skin reacts differently after the session: mild, temporary redness may appear, and the team will tell you whether it is advisable to adjust your plans that day.
These guidelines are usually recommended to care for your skin over the following days, and the team will give you specific instructions for your case:
- Use sunscreen every day, in winter too.
- For a few days, avoid exfoliants, strong acids and retinoids, unless we tell you otherwise.
- Keep your skin hydrated, especially if you spend many hours with the heating on.
- As a guideline from the team, put off the sauna, intense exercise and heavy make-up on the same day.
- If you notice irritation that does not settle, write to us and we will check it.
How often should it be repeated? It depends on your skin, your goals and how it responds to the first session. Some people include it as regular maintenance and others keep it for specific moments. The frequency is set at consultation and adjusted over time.
Frequently asked questions
Does HydraFacial hurt?
No needles are used. The sensation varies from person to person, and the tip and intensity are adapted to your skin; if anything bothers you, you can tell us during the session.
What is the difference between Signature, Deluxe and Platinum?
According to the manufacturer, Signature includes cleansing, exfoliation, extraction and hydration; Deluxe adds a booster and LED light; Platinum also adds lymphatic drainage. The medical team chooses the protocol after assessing your skin.
Can I have HydraFacial if I have sensitive skin?
In many cases yes, because there are gentle exfoliation tips designed for dry or sensitive skin. If you have rosacea, dermatitis or an active reaction, we first assess it at consultation and decide whether it is better to wait or adapt the treatment.
How often should I have HydraFacial?
It depends on your skin and your goals. The frequency is set at consultation after seeing how your skin responds to the first session, and it is adjusted over time.
Can I wear make-up after the session?
It is usually recommended to wait until the next day for heavy make-up and to use sunscreen. The team will give you specific instructions depending on how your skin reacts.
Does HydraFacial help with acne?
It can help the appearance of skin with mild or moderate acne and clogged pores, although the evidence is limited. Severe or inflammatory acne requires a prior medical assessment and, if it does not respond to aesthetic management, a consultation with a dermatologist.
What is Keravive and who is it for?
It is a non-invasive HydraFacial treatment for the scalp, with cleansing, gentle exfoliation, peptides and a spray for home use. If hair loss concerns you, we first assess the cause in a hair consultation.
If your skin feels tight, looks dull or has clogged pores, a consultation at Santé Madrid will help you find out whether HydraFacial suits you and with which protocol. We will calmly explain what you can expect and how to care for your skin afterwards.
