Hydradermabrasion · Exfoliation · Facial Treatment

Aqua Peel

How this page was made
This page was written with AI assistance and reviewed against the sources listed under References below. It is general information only, not medical advice. See our full disclaimer for how SHEA creates and reviews treatment information.
01

What it is

On this page, “aqua peel” refers to hydradermabrasion-style facial treatments that combine exfoliation with the application of a liquid or serum. The exact device, serum, and treatment protocol can vary between clinics.

The published study cited below evaluated a specific hydradermabrasion treatment that combined crystal-free microdermabrasion with pneumatic application of an antioxidant serum. Its findings should not automatically be assumed to apply to every treatment marketed as an aqua peel.

02

Why people consider it

  • They are looking into an exfoliation-based facial treatment for concerns such as skin texture, pore appearance, or uneven pigmentation
03

What the experience is like

The treatment is performed with a facial handpiece, but the exact steps depend on the device and products being used.

In the clinical study cited below, participants received six hydradermabrasion treatments using an antioxidant serum at intervals of 7 to 10 days. This was a study protocol, not a universal treatment schedule for aqua peel procedures.

04

Limitations & considerations

  • “Aqua peel” is not one standardized treatment, so the device, products, and protocol may differ between clinics
  • The available study was small and evaluated one specific hydradermabrasion device and antioxidant-serum protocol
  • The study compared hydradermabrasion plus serum with manual application of the same serum; it did not include an untreated control group
Evidence note
Published evidence specific to hydradermabrasion is limited. The study cited below randomized 20 women aged 34 to 56 into two groups of 10. One group received six hydradermabrasion treatments with a polyphenolic antioxidant serum, while the other received manual application of the same serum. After the treatment course, the hydradermabrasion group showed changes in several clinical and biopsy measures, while the serum-only group did not. Because the study was small and evaluated one specific treatment protocol, its findings should not be generalized to every device or procedure marketed as an aqua peel.

References

Peer-reviewed source.

1. Freedman BM. Hydradermabrasion: an innovative modality for nonablative facial rejuvenation. Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2008;7(4):275–280.
Peer-reviewed · Randomized controlled study · n=20
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