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Beauty
|personal story

Dermalinfusion Facial Review — Here's What It's Really Like

Lindsay Kellner
Author:
February 20, 2020
Lindsay Kellner
Contributing Wellness & Beauty Editor
By Lindsay Kellner
Contributing Wellness & Beauty Editor
Lindsay is a freelance writer and certified yoga instructor based in Brooklyn, NY. She holds a journalism and psychology degree from New York University. Kellner is the co-author of “The Spirit Almanac: A Modern Guide to Ancient Self Care,” with mbg Sustainability Editor Emma Loewe.
February 20, 2020

It's easy to see why the dermalinfusion facial took over social media upon its launch. The famously satisfying "pore vacuuming" treatment comes with a very special parting gift: When it's over, you get to see a vial of the gunk extracted from your face. Sensitive stomachs, take heart: You can experience the facial and all of its benefits and skip the reservoir viewing.

But if all you've seen of it has been the buzz on social media, you might be wondering what exactly does it involve, what does it feel like, who is it for, and what are the overall pros and cons? Well, here's our breakdown.

What is a dermalinfusion facial?

A dermalinfusion is a special type of microdermabrasion. Instead of the standard microderm treatment—which entails blasting the face with microcrystals to remove dead skin and grime on the surface, and then vacuuming it all up—this machine also infuses the skin with a serum at the same time. New, fresh, glowing skin that's revealed in the process is targeted with said serum, which is chosen by the esthetician depending on your personal skin concerns and how it looks that day.

Our review: What does the dermalinfusion facial feel like?

The facial started with a standard milky massage-driven cleanse that wipes away any makeup or dirt from the day—and prepares the skin for what was about to happen: dermalinfusion. The facial was booked for an hour, and the dermalinfusion itself lasted 30 minutes.

Not one square centimeter of real estate was spared. Using the crystal-tipped microdermabrasion wand, she started with the larger and less sensitive areas of my face—like the chin, cheeks, forehead, and neck. After adjusting the crystals to a more sensitive setting, she followed the contours of my nose, the eye area, and even traced over my lips.

Overall, It didn't hurt or sting at all. In fact, the only mildly unpleasant sensations during treatment were the sound of the machine (it was loud but almost in a white noise way) and the feeling of serum dripping down my face. The latter is normal, the esthetician told me.

Photo by Lindsay Kellner / Contributor

After, the remaining treatment—or lack thereof—may vary based on your practitioner, spa, and skin needs. The esthetician I went to proceeded to drape a thin sheath of gauze over my entire face, eyes, nose, and lips included. On top of that, she put a hydrating, calming mask that stayed on for about 10 minutes. Once the mask gelled, she used towels to remove the remnants and proceeded to do a facial massage with serum and moisturizer.

After, there is no downtime. As you can see from the photos, my skin looked healthy and happy—not irritated like many harsher facials can leave your skin. This is especially great if you have to prep your skin before an event or special occasion. Or simply don't have the schedule that allows for a day or two of downtime.

The dermalinfusion definitely brightened my complexion, took care of a few smaller blackheads, and cleared the hard-to-get pores around my nose. A surprise benefit: It also plumped up my lips. They're filler-free in the before and after, but the difference in size is dramatic. The fully realized results took about a day to settle in, but all in all, I was impressed with the results and would definitely do it again.

What skin type is it good for?

Any skin type can get this facial. This is because the treatment details can be tailored to your specific skin needs. This includes how abrasive the wand is (if you need a more thorough exfoliation, for example, they can make it stronger; if you have more sensitive skin, they can make the treatment more gentle). It also includes the type of serum they infuse the treatment with: Simply tell your esthetician what your skin care goals are, and they can pick a serum for you.

That being said, it is perhaps best suited for those who are looking for a quick prep for a special occasion, as it quickly cleans and transforms skin.

What do you need to know before going in?

While not painful, it's not the most relaxing facial—there are relaxing elements, but that's not the overall point of it. If you are someone looking for an ultrasoothing, spa-day-inspired facial, opt for a more traditional hydrating option. For the most part, this is about extracting debris from your pores. However, it will not replace classic extractions if that's what is important for you: A few larger whiteheads remained, in better shape but, regardless, still intact.

The bottom line:

Dermalinfusion is great for anyone who needs a quick turnaround who might have a dull complexion and is looking for some pep and clarity. It's a painless treatment that can offer many skin-illuminating and plumping benefits, including fuller lips. Plus, there is no downtime, making this an ideal treatment for those needing a quick fix.

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