While daily skin care is essential for maintaining healthy, nourished, and hydrated skin, it can’t provide the powerful rejuvenating effects of facials. As a compressed version of years of at-home skin care, facials continue to be the gold standard in the cosmetics industry.
Oxygen Infusion and HydraFacial are among the most popular facial treatments on the market.
This article explains how they work and what benefits they provide, helping you determine which treatment is best for your skin.
Oxygen Facial Overview
The Oxygen Infusion Facial is a cosmetic treatment that has received a lot of attention since Madonna became its advocate. The treatment involves the use of a compression machine, which pushes oxygen and rejuvenating serums into the skin via high-pressure air. It is painless and safe for all skin types.
HydraFacial Overview
HydraFacial is a facial treatment that involves the use of patented technology to exfoliate, cleanse, moisturize, and smooth the skin. It’s recommended to have a trained medical provider perform the procedure. The treatment may cause slight discomfort, but it’s safe for all skin types.
Oxygen Facial vs. HydraFacial: What Are the Differences?
Oxygen and HydraFacial treatments provide similar results, but the procedures and the patients’ experiences differ. The following table sums up the treatments’ key differences.
| Oxygen Facial | HydraFacial | |
|---|---|---|
| Procedure | Uses a wand-like device to spray high-pressure, oxygenated, vitamin-infused air onto the skin. | A 3-step procedure that involves the use of a pen-like device to extract impurities, exfoliate, and deeply hydrate the skin. |
| Benefits | Smaller pores, plumper skin, improved tone and texture, etc. | Smaller pores, improved hydration, improved tone and texture, etc. |
| Results | Immediate, lasting approximately one week. | Immediate, lasting up to six weeks. |
| Side Effects | Mild redness, inflammation, allergic reaction. | Mild redness, inflammation, allergic reaction, discomfort. |
| Aftercare | No sun exposure, intense workouts, harsh skin care, and alcohol. | No sun exposure, intense workouts, harsh skin care, and alcohol. |
| Cost | $165 | $250 |
Oxygen Facial vs. HydraFacial: The Procedure
The two treatments have distinct procedures that may determine which treatment the patient chooses.
Oxygen Facial
The Oxygen Infusion Facial machine sprays high-pressure oxygenated air on the patient’s skin. The air is vitamin-infused and delivers potent nourishing, protective, and rejuvenating agents. The patient feels pressure from the air but the sensation isn’t painful.
This is what the procedure looks like:
- The cosmetic provider prepares the patient’s skin using exfoliating agents to remove the top layer of the skin, including dead cells, dirt, and sebum.
- The provider applies a hyaluronic acid serum on freshly cleansed skin.
- Using a wand-like device, the provider delivers a high-pressure stream of air containing up to 95% oxygen. This pushes HA, peptides, and antioxidant serums deep into the skin.
The treatment lasts about one hour.
HydraFacial
The treatment consists of three parts:
- The medical provider uses a pen-like vacuum device infused with exfoliating agents to cleanse and peel the patient’s skin.
- The provider uses the device to extract impurities from pores (sebum, blackheads, dirt). At the same time, moisturizing serums are infused into the skin.
- The final step involves infusing the skin with potent serums containing antioxidants, moisturizing agents, and peptides.
The patient may feel discomfort from the exfoliating acids during the first and second part of the procedure.
The treatment usually takes about one hour.
Note: Follow the link to read more about what a HydraFacial is and what you can expect from the treatment.
Oxygen Facial vs. HydraFacial Benefits
The treatments provide similar rejuvenating effects.
Oxygen Facial
The Oxygen Facial provides the following benefits:
- Improved circulation
- Youthful glow
- Plumper, fuller skin
- Smaller pores
- Reduced acne
- Reduced appearance of fine lines
- Improved skin texture and tone
HydraFacial
The HydraFacial provides these benefits:
- Deep hydration
- Youthful glow
- Tightened skin
- Reduced acne
- Smaller pores
- Reduced oiliness
- Reduced appearance of fine lines
- Improved skin texture and tone
Oxygen Facial vs. HydraFacial Results
Both facials restore the skin’s brightness, glow, and firmness. They may also reduce the appearance of fine lines, decrease pores, and reduce acne.
The effects of the Oxygen Infusion and HydraFacial treatments are temporary. The skin is radiant, smooth, and plump for the first 5-7 days. Some patients experience the tightening effects of HydraFacial for up to six weeks.
Cosmetic providers give different recommendations regarding the optimal frequency of the treatments depending on the patient’s skin type and concerns. The general advice is to get a facial once a month for the best results.
Oxygen Facial vs. HydraFacial Ideal Candidates
The Oxygen Infusion and HydraFacial treatments are suitable for people of all ages and skin types, including sensitive skin. They are gentle and safe even for pregnant women.
Cosmetic professionals recommend them to patients who want to avoid more invasive treatments with needles, such as microneedling or Botox, but still expect noticeable rejuvenating effects.
Oxygen Facial vs. HydraFacial Side Effects
Both treatments are considered safe. However, mild, temporary side effects can occur, especially if a patient has sensitive skin or is allergic to an ingredient in a serum. Side effects include:
- Redness
- Inflammation
- Allergic reaction
- Slight pain and discomfort
Oxygen Facial vs. HydraFacial Aftercare
Treatment providers encourage patients to follow these aftercare tips to ensure maximum longevity of results and avoid side effects.
- Avoid direct sunlight and other sources of excessive heat.
- Use sunscreen with SPF 30+.
- Don’t exercise or engage in activities that cause sweating for 24 hours.
- Avoid makeup and harsh cosmetic products.
- Drink plenty of water.
- Avoid alcohol for 24 hours.
Oxygen Facial vs. HydraFacial Cost
Our Vibrant Skin Bar experts have extensive experience providing both treatments.
Oxygen Infusion at Vibrant Skin Bar costs $165 per treatment.
HydraFacial at Vibrant Skin Bar costs $250 per treatment.
Note: See Vibrant Skin Bar’s special offer – the Trifecta Facial. It includes dermaplaning, microcurrent, Oxygen Infusion, and HydraFacial for $399 per treatment.
Oxygen Facial vs. HydraFacial: Which One Is Better?
The Oxygen Infusion and HydraFacial treatments provide similar benefits. Both are non-invasive and don’t require downtime.
HydraFacial offers deeper skin exfoliation and resurfacing than Oxygen Facial by using salicylic and glycolic acid. On the other hand, Oxygen Facial gently exfoliates the skin using a high-pressure oxygen stream.
In some cases, HydraFacial has skin-tightening effects that are longer by several weeks than those provided by Oxygen Facial. HydraFacial is also more expensive.
Discuss your goals and expectations with your medical provider. They will help you choose the right treatment.
Can the Oxygen Facial and HydraFacial Be Combined?
The Oxygen Infusion Facial and HydraFacial can be combined for more effective results that last longer. The Vibrant Skin Bar professionals offer two facials that include these two treatments, The Red Carpet and The Trifecta. They ensure more hydrated, radiant, and plumper skin.
Conclusion
Oxygen Infusion and HydraFacial are non-invasive cosmetic treatments that deeply cleanse, hydrate, and rejuvenate the skin. They are popular because they provide instant results without pain and downtime.
If you want to refresh your look before an important event or treat yourself for no particular reason, book a treatment and let our skin specialists at the Vibrant Skin Bar help you today.
To learn about a similar non-invasive facial that improves skin tone and texture, read our article on the microcurrent facial treatment.
