Skin & Facials · Apple Valley, MN
Hydrafacial vs. SkinPen: Choosing Your Glow
Two of our most-loved skin treatments at ABL. They look similar on Instagram. They work nothing alike. Here's how to pick the right one.
By The ABL Team
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5 min read
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Skincare
Both Hydrafacial and SkinPen show up in our DMs and consultations almost daily. Both are excellent treatments. Both leave you with that "what is she doing differently" glow. But they work on completely different levels of the skin — and choosing the wrong one for your goals can leave you disappointed.
Here's the simple version, followed by the deeper breakdown.
The 30-second answer
Hydrafacial is a deep cleanse + hydration treatment. It works on the surface of your skin. Zero downtime. Instant glow.
SkinPen is microneedling. It works inside the deeper layers of your skin to trigger real collagen production. Mild downtime. Long-term structural improvements.
Hydrafacial is event prep. SkinPen is investment.
What Hydrafacial actually does
Hydrafacial uses a patented spiral-tipped wand that delivers a multi-step facial in one device: a deep cleanse, exfoliation, painless extractions via vortex suction, and infusion of hydrating serums tailored to your skin. The entire treatment takes 30 to 50 minutes.
What it's best for:
- Clogged pores, blackheads, congestion
- Dull, dehydrated skin
- Pre-event glow (wedding, photoshoot, vacation)
- Maintenance between deeper treatments
- First-time facial clients who want to ease in
- Anyone who can't have downtime
You walk out with brighter, smoother, plumper-looking skin and zero redness. You can wear makeup immediately. Results last 1 to 2 weeks for skin clarity, longer for the cumulative benefits if you do them regularly.
What SkinPen actually does
SkinPen is the only FDA-cleared microneedling device. It creates hundreds of tiny, controlled micro-channels in the skin. Your body responds by sending healing signals — collagen and elastin production ramps up dramatically over the next 4 to 6 weeks.
What it's best for:
- Acne scarring
- Fine lines and early wrinkles
- Enlarged pores
- Stretch marks (yes, off the face too)
- Overall skin texture and tone
- Building long-term collagen reserves
The session itself takes 45 to 60 minutes including numbing. You'll look pink for 1 to 2 days, with mild peeling possible around days 3 to 5. Results build over a series of 3 to 6 sessions spaced about a month apart, with full results visible 2 to 3 months after your final treatment.
Side-by-side
Surface Treatment
Hydrafacial
- Works on the surface
- Zero downtime
- Instant glow
- Best for hydration & clarity
- Great pre-event
- $150–$250 per session
Deep Treatment
SkinPen
- Works deep into the skin
- 1–2 days of pink/redness
- Results build over weeks
- Best for texture & scarring
- Long-term collagen
- $350 per session
Quick gut-check: Do you want results tonight or results over time? Hydrafacial gives you the first. SkinPen gives you the second. They're not competing — they're solving different problems.
How to choose
Pick Hydrafacial if you...
- Have an event in the next week or two
- Are new to professional facials and want a gentle start
- Struggle mostly with congestion, blackheads, or dullness
- Cannot afford even one day of redness
- Want to maintain results between bigger treatments
Pick SkinPen if you...
- Have acne scarring you want to actually improve
- Want to address fine lines and skin texture at the source
- Can spare 1 to 2 days for mild redness
- Are willing to commit to a series of 3 to 6 sessions
- Want to invest in your long-term skin quality
Still not sure which one is right?
Come in for a consultation. We'll evaluate your skin and tell you honestly which treatment will get you closest to your goal.
Book Consultation
Can you do both?
Yes, and many of our Apple Valley, Eagan, and Burnsville clients alternate them. A common rhythm:
- SkinPen series of 3 to 6 sessions, every 4 weeks, to do the deep work
- Hydrafacial monthly for maintenance, hydration, and clarity
You wouldn't do them in the same week (give the skin time to recover from SkinPen first), but together they're a really effective approach.
The bottom line
Hydrafacial is one of our most popular treatments because it's accessible, immediate, and feels like a complete skin reset. SkinPen is one of our most-loved treatments because the results are real, structural, and long-lasting. They both have a place in your routine — but for different reasons.
If you're still trying to pick, book a consultation. We'll look at your skin in person, listen to your goals, and tell you which one (or both) is the right starting point.
Ready When You Are
Book your facial consultation
We'll help you pick the right glow at Aesthetic Beauty Lab in Apple Valley, MN.
