Hydrafacial in Basel: How It Works, What Science Shows and How to Recognise the Original

Estimated reading time: 14 minutes

Quick answer: Hydrafacial is a patented, non invasive facial treatment that cleanses, exfoliates, extracts and hydrates the skin in one session. Its Vortex-Fusion technology uses spiral shaped tips and a gentle vacuum to lift impurities out of the pores while serums with antioxidants, peptides and hyaluronic acid are infused at the same time. Small clinical studies show improvements in hydration, skin texture and acne after a course of treatments. The glow is visible right away, with no needles and usually no downtime. Many salons offer similar looking treatments under other names, so it pays to check whether a provider works with the original device.

Important: this article is an informational overview of published research, not medical advice, and not a substitute for an individual assessment by a qualified professional. Individual results may vary. At CP Praxis in Basel and Bottmingen we work with the original, patented Hydrafacial device and original Hydrafacial serums.

Hydrafacial is probably the best known facial treatment in the world. That popularity has a side effect: the name is used for many treatments that are not Hydrafacial at all. Aquafacial, aqua peel, hydro facial or 6 in 1 facial can look similar on Instagram, but they work with different devices, different tips and different serums.

In this Hydrafacial Basel guide, Magdalena Brügger, founder of CP Praxis in Basel and Bottmingen, explains how Hydrafacial works, what independent research shows, how the original differs from look alike treatments and JetPeel, who it suits, how often it makes sense and what it costs in Basel.

Hydrafacial at a glance

• What it is: a patented treatment that cleanses, exfoliates, extracts and hydrates in one session.
• Technology: Vortex-Fusion with spiral tips, vacuum and a closed system.
• What it helps with: congested pores, blackheads, dull and dehydrated skin, uneven texture, mild acne, the first fine lines.
• Feeling: a cool, gentle suction, often described as a pleasant massage.
• Downtime: usually none. Sensitive skin can look slightly pink for a few hours.
• How often: as a one off for glow, or as a course of 4 to 6 sessions, followed by maintenance about once a month.
• Price at CP Praxis: CHF 190 (Effektiv, 45 min), CHF 250 (Extensiv, 75 min), CHF 340 (Skin Longevity Ritual, 90 min).
• Our approach: skin analysis first, original device and serums, EFZ certified Skin Therapists.

Watch: Magdalena Brügger explains Hydrafacial

The video is in German. You can find the key points and chapters in English on our Hydrafacial video page.

What is Hydrafacial?

Hydrafacial was developed in the United States and is made by The Hydrafacial Company in Long Beach, California. The technology belongs to a group of treatments called hydradermabrasion: instead of sanding the skin with crystals or a diamond head, as in classic microdermabrasion, the skin is renewed with liquid and vacuum.

What makes Hydrafacial different from other hydradermabrasion devices is its patented Vortex-Fusion technology. Cleansing, exfoliation, extraction and the infusion of active ingredients happen through the same tip, in one continuous movement.

As Magdalena Brügger explains in the video, Hydrafacial removes what home cleansing leaves behind: residues of sunscreen, makeup and sebum deep in the pores. A clean skin surface is the basis for everything that follows, from home care to further treatments.

How does Vortex-Fusion work?

1. Cleanse and peel: a gentle exfoliation removes dead skin cells and opens the pores. Depending on the skin, a mild acid solution can loosen sebum and hardened impurities.
2. Extract: the spiral shaped tip creates a vortex. Together with the vacuum, it lifts blackheads, sebum and residues out of the pores, without squeezing and without pressure on the skin.
3. Hydrate and protect: serums with hyaluronic acid, antioxidants and peptides are infused into the freshly cleansed skin, when it can absorb them best.

Why the tip matters

The tips are a central part of the patent. Inside each tip there is a fine spiral, which Magdalena compares to a snail shell. It creates exactly the right vacuum and swirl, so impurities are lifted out instead of being pressed deeper into the skin. Each tip is used for one client only.

Why a closed system matters

Hydrafacial works as a closed system. Fresh serum flows to the skin, and everything that is removed, from sebum to used liquid, goes straight into a separate waste container in the device. Nothing that has been extracted comes back into contact with the skin. This is an important hygiene point, especially for acne prone skin.

The serums and boosters

The original treatment works with a fixed series of Hydrafacial serums, each with a clear task:

• Activ-4: cleansing and gentle exfoliation as the first step.
• GlySal: a mild peel solution with glycolic and salicylic acid that loosens sebum and impurities before extraction.
• Beta-HD: a clarifying solution that supports extraction, especially for oily and congested skin.
• Anti-Ox+: a final serum with antioxidants and hyaluronic acid that hydrates and protects.

On top of this, boosters can be added for specific concerns, for example, for a more even skin tone, for firmness or for very dry skin. Your Skin Therapist chooses the serums and boosters after assessing your skin, ideally with a LumiScan Pro skin analysis.

What does science show?

Hydrafacial is popular, but published research is still limited. Here is what the studies show, and where their limits are.

Acne

In a study published in the Journal of Clinical and Aesthetic Dermatology in 2022, 20 people with acne received six clarifying Hydrafacial treatments, one every two weeks, over twelve weeks. The share of participants whose skin was rated clear or almost clear by the investigator rose from 20% to 65%. In the participants’ own assessment, it rose from 5% to 55%. The study was small, had no control group, and one co author is employed by the manufacturer.

Skin structure

An earlier study from 2008 in the Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology examined 20 participants after six hydradermabrasion treatments combined with antioxidant serums. Skin samples showed a thicker epidermis and upper dermis and a higher density of fibroblasts, the cells that produce collagen. The treated skin also looked smoother and more even.

The skin barrier

A 2024 study in Skin Research and Technology used a high resolution imaging method (LC-OCT) to look at the skin before and after Hydrafacial. Right after the treatment, the outermost layer of the skin was thinner, as expected after exfoliation. Two weeks later, it was thicker than at the start. This fits with what we see in practice: the skin renews itself after the treatment, it does not lose its protection.

What is still missing

Larger, independent and controlled studies are still missing. A further clinical study is registered on ClinicalTrials.gov (NCT05932732). Until more data is available, we describe Hydrafacial honestly: an effective, well tolerated treatment for clean, hydrated and more even skin, not a replacement for medical acne therapy or for treatments that build collagen in depth.

Original Hydrafacial or Aquafacial?

Hydrafacial is a protected brand name. Treatments called Aquafacial, aqua peel, hydro facial, hydra dermabrasion or 6-in-1 facial use other devices. Some of them work well; others much less so. The difference is not visible in a photo; it lies in the tip, the vacuum, the hygiene concept and the serums.

How to check whether a provider uses the original

• Search for the provider in the official Hydrafacial provider finder.
• Ask which device is used and whether the serums are original Hydrafacial serums.
• Ask whether a new tip is used for every client.
• Be careful with very low prices and names like “hydro facial”, “aqua peel” or “6 in 1”.

Hydrafacial, JetPeel or a classic facial?

Hydrafacial is often compared with JetPeel and a classic facial. All three can make the skin look fresher, but they work in different ways.

Is Hydrafacial allowed in Swiss cosmetic practices?

Yes. Hydrafacial works on the skin surface and in the pores, without needles and without injections. In Switzerland, superficial exfoliation and the care of the skin surface belong to the field of cosmetics. Deeper chemical peels, injections and medical treatments of skin diseases remain reserved for doctors. If you have a skin condition such as severe acne or rosacea, we recommend clarifying it with a dermatologist first; Hydrafacial can then support the medical treatment as a cosmetic complement.

Who is Hydrafacial suitable for?

How often should you get a Hydrafacial?

That depends on your goal. For a fresh glow before an event, one treatment is enough; ideally a few days before, not on the same day. For lasting changes in skin texture, pores or acne, a course works better: typically 4 to 6 sessions every 2 to 4 weeks, followed by maintenance about once a month. One month roughly matches the natural renewal cycle of the skin.

Hydrafacial as preparation for other treatments

As Magdalena Brügger explains in the video, Hydrafacial is not only a treatment on its own. A deeply cleansed skin is the best starting point for treatments that work deeper:

• Microneedling: stimulates the skin’s own collagen production with fine micro channels.
• Mesotherapy: delivers hyaluronic acid and other actives into the upper skin layers with the MesoGun.
• Home care: serums and creams work better on skin that is free of residues. Your Skin Therapist recommends products from certified care brands that suit your skin.

Your Skin Therapist plans the order and the intervals so that the skin can recover between treatments.

Hydrafacial and skin longevity

Skin longevity means keeping the skin healthy and resilient over the years, instead of correcting damage later. Hydrafacial contributes in a simple way: it keeps pores clean, supports hydration and helps the skin barrier renew itself. In winter, when heated rooms and cold air dry out the skin, regular hydration is particularly valuable. Combined with daily sun protection, sleep, a balanced diet and the right home care, it is part of a plan, not a quick fix.

Before and after your Hydrafacial

Before

• No retinoids, acid peels or scrubs for 2 to 3 days before the treatment.
• No waxing, laser or deep peel on the face in the week before.
• Avoid sunburn and intensive tanning.
• Tell us about medication, pregnancy and allergies, especially to salicylic acid or aspirin.

After

• Use sun protection SPF 30 or higher, even in winter.
• If possible, no makeup for the rest of the day.
• No sauna, steam bath or intensive sport on the same day.
• No retinoids or acid products for 48 hours.
• Drink enough water and keep your home care gentle.

When will you see results?

Real results at CP Praxis

At CP Praxis, we do not rely on impressions alone. Every course starts and ends with a LumiScan Pro skin analysis, taken under the same light and from the same angle. This way, the before-and-after images show real changes in the skin, not differences in lighting or makeup. The UV mode also makes visible what the eye cannot see: the red dots show bacterial activity in the pores.

Left: congested, acne prone skin. In daylight, this skin looked calm. Under UV light, the LumiScan Pro showed dense bacterial activity in the pores on the forehead, around the nose and on the chin. After 4 Hydrafacial sessions every 3 weeks, with deep pore cleansing, extraction and targeted home care, the pores are visibly cleaner, there is clearly less bacterial activity and the skin texture is smoother. The difference comes from the combination: regular extraction removes what clogs the pores, and the right home care keeps them clear between sessions.

Right: uneven skin tone and pigmentation. Here the concern was colour: brown spots and redness on the nose and cheeks, partly left behind by earlier inflammation. After 5 Hydrafacial sessions every 4 weeks with a brightening booster and home care for pigmentation, the complexion is brighter and more even, with less visible pigmentation and redness. Hydrafacial does not remove pigmentation like a medical treatment. It renews the skin surface gently and regularly and helps the brightening actives reach the skin.

What these results show: both clients had a clear goal, a fixed number of sessions, an interval adapted to their skin and the right home care. That is the difference between a single glow treatment and a lasting change. One Hydrafacial makes the skin look fresh for about a week. A planned course changes how the skin behaves.

Real clients of CP Praxis, documented with LumiScan Pro, published with consent. Results are individual and may vary.

How much does Hydrafacial cost in Basel?

In Basel, an original Hydrafacial usually costs between about CHF 180 and CHF 350, depending on the duration, the treated areas and the boosters. At CP Praxis:

See all current prices on our price list.

Questions to ask before booking a Hydrafacial

1. Is it the original Hydrafacial device, and is the provider listed in the official provider finder?
2. Are original Hydrafacial serums used?
3. Is a new tip used for every client?
4. Is the skin assessed before the treatment?
5. Who performs the treatment, and what training does that person have?
6. Is there a plan for the next steps, or is it a one off?

Frequently asked questions

What is a Hydrafacial?

Hydrafacial is a patented facial treatment that cleanses, exfoliates, extracts and hydrates the skin in one session. It works with Vortex-Fusion technology: spiral tips and a gentle vacuum lift impurities out of the pores while serums are infused.

How long does a Hydrafacial take?

At CP Praxis, the Hydrafacial Effektiv takes 45 minutes, the Extensiv 75 minutes and the Skin Longevity Ritual 90 minutes.

Does Hydrafacial hurt?

Most clients feel a cool, gentle suction, similar to a light massage. Sensitive areas can tingle briefly during the peel step.

Is there any downtime after a Hydrafacial?

Usually not. Sensitive skin can look slightly pink for a few hours. Most clients return to their daily routine straight away.

How often should I get a Hydrafacial?

For glow, one treatment is enough. For pores, texture or acne, a course of 4 to 6 sessions every 2 to 4 weeks works better, followed by maintenance about once a month.

How long do the results last?

The immediate glow lasts about one week. Changes in texture and pores build up over a course and last longer with regular maintenance and good home care.

Is Hydrafacial good for acne?

A small study showed clearer skin after six clarifying treatments over twelve weeks. Hydrafacial can support acne prone skin, but it does not replace medical therapy for severe or cystic acne.

Is Hydrafacial suitable for sensitive skin or rosacea?

Often yes, with adapted serums and settings, but only after a consultation. During an active rosacea flare, we wait until the skin has calmed down.

Can I get a Hydrafacial during pregnancy?

Only after a consultation and without the salicylic acid peel. We adapt the treatment and recommend clarifying it with your gynaecologist.

What is the difference between Hydrafacial and Aquafacial?

Hydrafacial is a protected brand with patented spiral tips, a closed system and original serums. Aquafacial and similar names describe other hydradermabrasion devices whose tips, hygiene and serums vary by maker.

How can I tell whether a salon uses the original Hydrafacial?

Check the official Hydrafacial provider finder, ask about the device and the serums, and ask whether a new tip is used for every client.

Hydrafacial or JetPeel: which is better?

Hydrafacial is stronger for congested pores and blackheads because it extracts with suction. JetPeel works without contact and suits very sensitive skin and pure hydration. Your Skin Therapist recommends the right one for your skin.

Can Hydrafacial be combined with microneedling or mesotherapy?

Yes. Hydrafacial is an ideal preparation because it leaves the skin clean and receptive. Your Skin Therapist plans the order and the intervals between the treatments.

How much does Hydrafacial cost in Basel?

At CP Praxis, Hydrafacial costs CHF 190 (Effektiv, 45 min), CHF 250 (Extensiv, 75 min) and CHF 340 (Skin Longevity Ritual, 90 min).

Last updated: October 2026

About the author

Magdalena Brügger founded CP Praxis in Bottmingen in 2008, after her Swiss training as a cosmetician HF with a specialisation in podology. Today CP Praxis has locations in Basel and Bottmingen and a team of more than 12 EFZ certified specialists. Her focus is skin health and skin longevity, with original devices and certified care brands.

Book your Hydrafacial

Book your Hydrafacial in Basel or Bottmingen, or learn more on our Hydrafacial in Basel and Bottmingen page. Not sure which treatment suits you? Start with a LumiScan Pro skin analysis or read what to expect at your first appointment.

Basel: Freie Strasse 103, +41 61 271 16 27
Bottmingen: Schlossgasse 24, +41 61 421 92 09

Sources

1. Storgard R et al. Efficacy and Tolerability of HydraFacial Clarifying Treatment Series in the Treatment of Active Acne Vulgaris. Journal of Clinical and Aesthetic Dermatology, 2022;15(12):42–46. PMC
2. Freedman BM. Hydradermabrasion: an innovative modality for nonablative facial rejuvenation. Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2008;7(4):275–280. DOI
3. Razi S et al. In vivo evaluation of hydradermabrasion with line field confocal optical coherence tomography. Skin Research and Technology, 2024. PubMed
4. ClinicalTrials.gov. NCT05932732. ClinicalTrials.gov
5. Gesundheitsdepartement des Kantons Basel-Stadt, Medizinische Dienste. Merkblatt: Rechtliche Grundlagen Kosmetik, January 2023. PDF
6. The Hydrafacial Company: official provider finder. hydrafacial.com