The HydraFacial® Treatment at The American Surgecenter, Abu Dhabi

The beauty of the multi-step HydraFacial® treatment is that it is completely customised and can be tailored to address your specific skin concerns. At The American Surgecenter, my facial specialist Hassania takes time to examine my skin and discuss with me the particular treatment options that would suit me. The verdict is that I have sensitive skin and acne on my cheeks, hyperpigmentation on my forehead, cheeks and upper lip, blackhead congested areas on my T-zone and fine lines around my eyes: I am a perfect candidate for this treatment it seems!

All HydraFacial® treatments begin with the same first three steps. Firstly, Vortex-Exfoliation™, where Activ-4™ serum is applied to the face to remove dead skin cells and uncover healthy skin. Secondly, Vortex-Peel™ where Glysal™ serum, a mixture of Glycolic and Salicylic Acids promises to deliver the benefits of a peel without post-peel scaling. Both of these steps are quick and pain free, and simply feel as though the serum is wiped on and then off again. The third step, which I am most intrigued about, being blessed with very congested skin, is Vortex-Extraction™. A wand-like vortex-suction instrument is wiped across my face to clean out my pores with the help of Beta-HD™ serum; manual extraction of stubborn black-heads follows. I have very high hopes for this step, imagining for the first time in my adult life I might have completely clear pores.

In order to address my hyperpigmentation, Hassania includes an additional step into my facial: Vortex-Boost™ where Proprietary Britenol® serum is applied to the photo-damaged areas to improve overall skin discoloration. She emphasises to me that many treatments are required to see a difference, but that the treatments over time are extremely effective for achieving an even, radiant tone. The final step of all HydraFacial® treatments, Vortex-Fusion™ involves serums tailored to your skin’s needs being pumped into the newly cleansed pores. Following LED blue light therapy to target my spots, Hassania applies Antiox+™ serum to nourish and protect my blemish-prone skin with antioxidants, peptides and Hyaluronic Acid. I am left to relax for the remaining ten minutes of the treatment. In addition to the treatment, I am encouraged to extend the benefits and maintain results at home by using recommended products sold at the pharmacy adjacent to The American Surgecenter.

On returning home, I examine my skin in the mirror with interest. Disappointingly, many of my pores remain clogged, though I am able to remove the black heads easily myself, and I am left wondering why they were not addressed during the treatment. The next day, my complexion certainly is noticeably more glowing and I feel pleased with its appearance. Unfortunately, the day after that I wake up to skin the texture of sandpaper, as the entire surface has transformed into minute blisters which remain for more than a week; I guess that my skin did not take kindly to the application of the various acids. As a result, I would not recommend this facial if you have sensitive skin.