Hydradermabrasion is the technology behind the water-based facials people search for by half a dozen different names — and the reason a HydroFacial feels nothing like a traditional facial. Instead of a hand-applied scrub, a handpiece uses a vortex of water and serum to cleanse, exfoliate, lift debris out of pores and infuse actives in one pass. This article explains what the technology actually does, how it differs from microdermabrasion and from a classic facial, what the various brand names mean, who it suits, and what it costs. If you want the full menu rather than this one treatment, our facial Montreal page covers everything we offer.

“Same category, different machines, different names — so ask what the handpiece actually does.”The IPL Lab facial technology philosophy

What this article covers

What does hydradermabrasion actually do?

The core idea is to do the work of exfoliation with liquid rather than friction. The handpiece creates a vortex — water and treatment solution spiralling against the skin under gentle suction — so dead surface cells are loosened and lifted away at the same moment the skin is being hydrated. Nothing is scraped or sanded.

What happens during a session, step by step?

A session runs about 45 minutes and follows the same order every time, adjusted for your skin:

Why does the same treatment have so many names?

Because most of them are trademarks, not descriptions. Hydradermabrasion is the generic name for the technology; individual manufacturers brand their own devices, and clinics use the name of whichever platform they own. That is why you will see hydradermabrasion, hydra-dermabrasion, aqua facial, water facial and various proprietary brand names describing broadly the same category of treatment. Ours is called HydroFacial.

What follows from that, practically: a specific trademarked treatment is only available at clinics that have licensed that specific device, so if you are set on one brand by name, ask directly whether the clinic runs it. If what you actually want is water-based exfoliation with serum infusion and no downtime, then the category is what matters and several devices deliver it. We would rather tell you that than imply an equivalence we cannot verify on your behalf — ask us what platform we use and we will tell you plainly.

How is it different from microdermabrasion?

This is the comparison that matters most, because the two get shelved together and they are not interchangeable. Microdermabrasion is dry: a diamond or crystal tip physically abrades the surface at a fixed depth, with suction removing the debris. Hydradermabrasion is wet, and the exfoliation is chemical-and-fluid rather than mechanical.

Neither is universally better — microdermabrasion still suits rough texture and thicker, resilient skin. If you are weighing resurfacing options more broadly, we compare the acid-based route in chemical peel or microdermabrasion, which goes deeper on that decision than this page does. One rule holds throughout: never abrade and peel in the same appointment.

Is it better than a classic facial?

Different, not better. A classic facial is built around cleansing, massage, a treatment mask and hydration, with the massage and relaxation a genuine part of the value. Hydradermabrasion is built around mechanical efficiency: it clears congestion and delivers actives more thoroughly than hands alone, but it is a shorter, more clinical experience with less massage.

Most people who come regularly end up alternating — a HydroFacial when skin feels congested or dull, a classic or anti-stress facial when they want the hour to feel restorative. If you want the full walkthrough of what a standard session involves, we cover it in what happens during a professional facial.

Who is it for — and who should skip it?

What results are realistic, and how often?

Immediate, visible, and temporary is the honest summary of one session: skin looks clearer and brighter the same day, and that lasts roughly one to two weeks. The cumulative effects — steadier hydration, less congestion, a more even surface — come from a series spaced 2 to 4 weeks apart, which matches the skin’s own renewal cycle.

What it will not do: erase wrinkles, remove acne scarring, or clear melasma. It improves skin quality, and a clinic promising more from a surface treatment is overselling. Once you are where you want to be, monthly maintenance holds it.

What does a HydroFacial cost?

Sold in packages, which brings the per-session price down substantially. Current rates — promotional pricing changes, so confirm at your free consultation or in our facial packages:

That works out to $110 per session in a 3-pack and $80 in a 10-pack. The oxygen facial sits at the same price and is the usual alternative when the goal is plumping and immediate radiance rather than clearing congestion. Facials are cosmetic care, so they are not covered by RAMQ or private insurance, and members save further through our membership program.

What makes a HydroFacial at IPL Lab different?

The serums and settings are chosen off an actual skin assessment rather than a fixed protocol, so a session for congested oily skin is not the same session as one for dehydrated reactive skin. Our estheticians will also tell you when a different treatment on the menu fits your goal better — including when the answer is a cheaper classic facial. You will find us at our medispa in Montréal’s Plateau and our medispa in Laval, and the consultation and skin analysis are free.

Sources: American Academy of Dermatology — chemical peels · Cleveland Clinic — chemical peels · AAD — cosmetic treatment safety

Medical disclaimer: this article is for general information only and is not medical advice. Individual results vary. Prices were current at the last review date. Consult a qualified professional to determine which facial treatment suits your skin, and see a dermatologist for any medical skin condition.