Why Glacē™ Is More Than Just a Facial….
The Clinical Science Behind Hydrodermabrasion
If you've ever walked out of a standard facial feeling clean but not actually different — you're not imagining things. Most traditional facials work on the surface. They exfoliate, they hydrate, they make your skin feel temporarily refreshed. But the results don't last, and they don't compound.
That's not a product problem. It's a technology problem.
The Glacē™ treatment by Candela — available at our Penn Township location — is built differently. And the clinical research behind it explains exactly why.
What Hydrodermabrasion Actually Does to Your Skin
Traditional microdermabrasion mechanically abrades the skin's surface — removing dead cells from the stratum corneum and creating smoother texture. The science is well-established: it increases collagen density, normalizes the stratum corneum, and even reduces the visibility of acne scarring through collagen remodeling.¹ ²
But standard microdermabrasion has a ceiling. It exfoliates. It doesn't replenish.
Hydrodermabrasion — the technology at the core of Glacē — combines that same mechanical exfoliation with simultaneous dermal infusion of targeted serums. The result is a treatment that doesn't just remove what your skin doesn't need. It delivers what your skin does.
A published study found that hydrodermabrasion treatments using antioxidant serums increased both epidermal and papillary dermal thickness — and resulted in greater antioxidant levels in treated skin compared to manual serum application alone.³ In other words: infusing serums during exfoliation is measurably more effective than applying them on top of intact skin afterward.
This matters. Because when your skin's barrier is temporarily open from exfoliation, it absorbs what you give it at a fundamentally deeper level.
The Glacē Experience: What Happens in 30 Minutes
The Glacē treatment follows a four-step protocol designed to do more in a single session than most facials accomplish in several:
Step 1 — Cleanse & Refine Diamond-integrated exfoliation tips clear the surface — removing dead skin cells, extracting debris, and preparing the skin to receive everything that follows. This step alone increases skin permeability for serums by a clinically significant margin.⁴
Step 2 — Sculpt & Detox Dual-mode cupping supports lymphatic fluid movement, contours the face, and visibly reduces puffiness. This isn't a spa flourish — it's a functional step in the treatment protocol.
Step 3 — Hydrate & Restore This is where Glacē differentiates. Six targeted serums — each formulated specifically for the Candela system — are infused directly into freshly exfoliated skin. Your provider selects the right combination based on your skin's actual needs:
Balanced Flight Pore Equilibration Complex — reduces shine, refines pores, smooths texture
Vitality Blossom Vitamin Shield Complex — boosts radiance, addresses dull and tired-looking skin
Silky Touch Sensitivity Relief Complex — calms visible redness and signs of irritation
Light Emerge Tone Unifying Complex — targets dark spots and uneven skin tone
Total Evolve Chrono Repair Complex — hydrates deeply, smooths texture, improves the look of fine lines
Mineral Nurture Essential Antistress Complex — replenishes moisture, restores a healthy-looking glow
Step 4 — Calm & Finish A soothing mask followed by LED therapy or skin-renewal wands closes the session. Skin is calm, protected, and supported — not reactive.
Why This Works Even Better Alongside Other Treatments
One of the more compelling findings in the clinical literature on hydrodermabrasion is how well it performs as a complement to energy-based treatments — things like laser, radiofrequency, and IPL.
Before energy-based treatments: Exfoliating the skin reduces scattering of laser light, improving the depth of penetration.⁵ A cleaner, more hydrated surface gives energy-based devices a better target. The Glacē treatment's microdermabrasion component optimizes serum penetration in the same way — when pores are open and skin is most receptive.⁶
After energy-based treatments: Hydrodermabrasion helps restore what the skin temporarily loses post-procedure — hydration, barrier integrity, and comfort. A group of experienced aesthetic dermatologists and plastic surgeons noted that post-EBD treatment hydration is essential in minimizing side effects and ensuring optimal long-term results.⁷ The calming, hydrating properties of Glacē make it a natural fit in recovery protocols.
Between treatments: Regular hydrating treatments between energy-based sessions have been shown to improve long-term skin elasticity and patient satisfaction.⁷ Glacē fits naturally into this role — as a standalone maintenance treatment that prolongs the results of everything else you invest in.
If you're already getting neurotoxin, filler, or any other injectable treatment at MPWR, Glacē is worth discussing as part of a complete skin health strategy.
Who This Treatment Is For
Glacē is appropriate for all Fitzpatrick skin types (I–VI) and has no significant downtime. Each session takes approximately 30 minutes.
It's particularly well-suited for patients experiencing:
Dullness or loss of luminescence
Uneven skin texture or enlarged pores
Mild to moderate hyperpigmentation
Visible fine lines
Skin dehydration or post-procedure sensitivity
Redness or reactivity that hasn't responded to standard skincare
The serum customization means there is no one-size-fits-all protocol. Your treatment is built around what your skin actually needs — not a menu someone else chose for you.
The Difference Between a Good Facial and a Real Skin Investment
There's a version of this that feels indulgent. A 30-minute treatment. Relaxing music. You leave glowing and go on with your day.
And there's nothing wrong with that. Glacē delivers all of it.
But what makes it worth your attention — and worth coming back for — is that the results aren't just immediate. The clinical evidence supports a treatment that increases dermal thickness, improves antioxidant levels, and with repeat sessions, contributes to long-term collagen remodeling and skin health.¹ ² ³
That's not a facial. That's a skin health strategy.
Experience Glacē at MPWR Aesthetics & Wellness
The Deep2 Glacē™ treatment is available exclusively at our Penn Township, PA location. Our team will assess your skin, walk you through which serums are most appropriate for your goals, and build a plan — whether that's a single session or an ongoing treatment cadence.
Ready to experience it for yourself? Book your visit at the link below, or call us at 724.201.9424. Our Penn Township team is ready when you are.
References
El-Domyati M, et al. Microdermabrasion: a clinical, histometric, and histopathologic study. J Cosmet Dermatol.2016.
Shim EK, et al. Microdermabrasion: a clinical and histopathologic study. Dermatol Surg. 2001.
Freedman BM. Hydradermabrasion: an innovative modality for nonablative facial rejuvenation. J Cosmet Dermatol. 2008.
Lee WR, et al. Lasers and microdermabrasion enhance and control topical delivery of vitamin C. J Invest Dermatol.2003.
Kauvar AN. Successful treatment of melasma using a combination of microdermabrasion and Q-switched Nd:YAG lasers. Lasers Surg Med. 2012.
Goberdhan LT, et al. Combining Diamond-Tip Dermabrasion Treatments and Topical Skincare. Clin Cosmet Investig Dermatol. 2023.
Kilmer SL, et al. Pre- and Post-Procedural Care Best Practices to Enhance Energy-Based Treatment Outcomes. J Drugs Dermatol. 2019.
Clinical references sourced from: Schallen KP. Hydradermabrasion Technologies and Their Role in Energy-Based Treatments. Candela Medical White Paper. CLI104904EN. 2025.