Protocol Training

The Signature HydraFacial

Master the three-step protocol — Cleanse & Peel, Extract & Hydrate, Fuse & Protect — to deliver consistent, exceptional results for every client.

What You'll Learn

This module walks you through the complete Signature HydraFacial protocol: the products and their ingredients, the three color-coded handpiece tips, step-by-step technique, and post-care application. By the end, you'll have the knowledge to deliver the treatment safely and confidently.

1

Products & Tip Identification

Learn what Activ-4, GlySal, Beta-HD, and Antiox+ do — and which single-use tip is used with each.

2

Step-by-Step Protocol

Follow the treatment sequence from room prep through each handpiece technique to system cleaning.

3

Technique & Safety

Understand stroke patterns, flow adjustments, extraction protocols, and when to modify for sensitive skin.

4

Scenario Practice

Apply what you've learned in realistic treatment-room decision scenarios.

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Estimated time: About 12 minutes. Your progress saves automatically — pause anytime and pick up where you left off.

The Products & Tips System

The Signature HydraFacial uses four serums paired with three color-coded single-use tips. Each tip is designed for a specific phase of the treatment. Understanding this system is the foundation of every protocol decision you'll make.

Three Tips, Three Phases

Each single-use tip is shaped differently to support its treatment function. The long end of every tip aligns with the top of the handpiece.

Blue Tip

Step 1 — Exfoliation

Used with Activ-4 for the cleansing and exfoliation phase. Designed for even resurfacing across the skin surface using overlapping strokes.

Teal Tip

Steps 1–2 — Peel & Extract

Used with GlySal (chemical peel) and Beta-HD (extraction). Stays on the handpiece across both steps. Designed for feathering strokes and extraction.

Clear Tip

Step 3 — Fuse & Protect

Used with Antiox+ for the final hydration and protection phase. Applied using a dab-and-hold technique in a tight grid pattern.

The Serums: What Each One Does

Tap each tab to explore the active ingredients and purpose of each serum in the protocol.

Activ-4 — Cleanse & Soften

Applied first with the blue tip. Activ-4 loosens dead skin cells and softens sebum to prepare for extractions while providing residual hydration.

Glucosamine HCl — Softens the skin and prepares for resurfacing

Lactic Acid — Gently exfoliates the skin surface

Algae Extract — Calms and soothes during exfoliation

GlySal — Chemical Peel

Applied with the teal tip using single short feathering strokes (not overlapping). Instruct the client to close their eyes during this step. Perform only one pass — leave the GlySal on the skin during extractions.

Glycolic Acid — Exfoliates, brightens, and hydrates

Salicylic Acid — Softens sebum and eliminates excess oil

Beta-HD — Extract & Hydrate

Applied with the same teal tip. Focus on the T-zone and any areas with congestion using long, slow passes. This serum removes impurities from the pores without the effects of manual extraction.

Salicylic Acid — Exfoliates and clears congested pores

Honey Extract — Hydrates while extracting

Spiraea Ulmaria Flower Extract — Calms and soothes the skin

Antiox+ — Fuse & Protect

Applied with the clear tip. Combines deeply moisturizing hyaluronic acid with peptides and antioxidants. For clients with sensitive skin, substitute with Antiox-6, which delivers the hyaluronic acid benefits without the active multi-peptide or brightening agents.

Hyaluronic Acid — Deep hydration, often called "liquid gold"

Arnica Flower Extract — Soothes and calms treated skin

Red Algae Extract — Evens skin tone and provides brightening benefits

Peptides — Renew skin and reduce appearance of fine lines

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Key point: The teal tip stays on the handpiece across both GlySal and Beta-HD. You swap the serum vial in the handpiece — not the tip. The cartridge unlocks by turning the arrow from the lock symbol to the unlock position.

The Treatment Protocol

Every Signature HydraFacial follows the same sequence: room prep, three treatment steps, system clean, and post-care. Here's the complete flow from start to finish.

Before the Client Arrives

Prepare the treatment room with all supplies so you can move through the protocol smoothly.

Place a single-use blue, teal, and clear tip on the tool holder. Stage the Activ-4, GlySal, Beta-HD, and Antiox+ serums. You'll also need gloves, moist sponges, rinse-away solution, and back bar products (Daily Essentials Plus, PureMoist moisturizer, UV Smart sunscreen).

Lay the client face up with a towel under their upper back. Cover them with a blanket and place a towel over their shoulders. Use a velcro headband or towel to protect their hair. Then cleanse the face, neck, and décolleté before starting the protocol.

The Three-Step Sequence

Explore each hotspot to see the technique, tip, and product used at each stage of the protocol.

Tap each hotspot to explore the protocol steps

Click each numbered marker to reveal technique details below.

1

2

3

1 Step 1: Cleanse & Peel

Blue tip + Activ-4: Dab and spread starting at the chin, moving up to the jaw, above the lip, nose, cheek, and forehead. Then make two overlapping strokes from the midline outward — tip flush to skin, no pressure. Make two full passes over the entire face.

Teal tip + GlySal: Swap to the teal tip. Use single short feathering strokes (do not overlap or rub in). One pass only. Leave GlySal on the skin during extractions. Client's eyes should be closed.

2 Step 2: Extract & Hydrate

Teal tip + Beta-HD: Keep the teal tip on. Swap the GlySal vial for the grey cartridge, then insert Beta-HD. Focus on T-zone and congested areas using long, slow passes. For the nose: press the upper lip to open the curve below the nose, use a "kiss and twist" motion on the tip, and pinch the bridge tissue for long passes. Stay away from the orbital area. When done, neutralize with moist sponge and run system clean with rinse-away.

3 Step 3: Fuse & Protect

Clear tip + Antiox+: Attach the clear tip after system clean. Follow a tight grid pattern using dab-and-hold technique — let the vacuum gently lift the skin so pores open and absorb hydration. Continue until moisture no longer absorbs (may require more than one pass). If the client has a strong peptide reaction, neutralize and switch to Antiox-6. Red LED lights can also be used to calm reactive skin.

Technique Quick Reference

Flip each card to review the key technique rules for each phase.

Activ-4 Stroke Pattern

Tap to flip

Blue Tip Technique

Dab and spread first, then two overlapping outward strokes from the midline. Tip flush to skin — no pressure. Two full passes. Flow should fill the tip in ~5 seconds (40–50% valve opening).

GlySal Stroke Pattern

Tap to flip

Teal Tip — Peel

Single short feathering strokes — do NOT overlap. Do NOT rub into skin. If it drips, gently press into the pores. One pass only. Leave the GlySal on during extractions.

Nose Extraction Protocol

Tap to flip

Teal Tip — Extract

Press upper lip to open below-nose curve. Use "kiss and twist" for the tip of the nose (lift nasal septum with free hand). Pinch bridge tissue for long passes. Never enter the orbital area.

Antiox+ Application

Tap to flip

Clear Tip Technique

Tight grid pattern, dab-and-hold. Let the vacuum lift the skin — no pressure. Continue until skin no longer absorbs moisture. Switch to Antiox-6 for sensitive/reactive skin. Red LED can calm irritation.

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Handpiece grip: Hold the handpiece low and light — place your finger over the oval indentation and hold it like a pencil. Keep the tubing on the outside of your arm to prevent it from touching the client's face. Let the vacuum do the work — never apply pressure.

Check Your Understanding

Two protocol scenarios to test your knowledge. Choose the best response for each situation.

Scenario 1 of 2

Mid-Treatment Decision

You've finished the GlySal application and are about to begin extractions with Beta-HD.

YOU

You

Aesthetician in training

You notice the GlySal vial still has product remaining. You need to switch to Beta-HD for extractions. The teal tip is still on the handpiece.

What's the correct next step?

A

Remove the teal tip, replace it with a new teal tip, then insert the Beta-HD vial into the handpiece.

B

Keep the teal tip on. Remove the GlySal vial (the diaphragm will close so you can reuse it). Insert the grey cartridge back into the handpiece, lock it, then turn on Beta-HD using the system touchscreen.

C

Run a system clean with rinse-away before switching to Beta-HD, then attach the clear tip for extractions.

That's correct!

The teal tip stays on the handpiece across both the GlySal peel and the Beta-HD extraction. You remove the GlySal vial (its diaphragm seals automatically), reinsert the grey cartridge, and lock it back into place. The GlySal stays on the skin while you extract — there's no system clean between these two steps.

Not quite — try again

Option A wastes a tip. The teal tip is designed to stay on the handpiece for both the GlySal peel and the Beta-HD extraction. You swap the serum vial inside the handpiece — not the tip itself. No need to replace it.

Not quite — try again

Option C inserts a system clean too early. The system clean happens after the Beta-HD extraction — not between the GlySal and Beta-HD steps. Also, extractions use the teal tip, not the clear tip. The clear tip is for Step 3 (Fuse & Protect) with Antiox+.

Scenario 2 of 2

Reactive Skin During Fuse & Protect

You're in Step 3, applying Antiox+ with the clear tip.

CL

Client

Returning client, monthly treatment

"It feels a bit more tingly than usual today — almost like a warm burning. Is that normal?"

The client is showing a strong reaction to the peptides in Antiox+. What should you do?

A

Reassure the client that tingling is normal with peptides and continue applying Antiox+ until the skin stops absorbing.

B

Stop the Antiox+ application immediately. Neutralize the skin with a moist sponge, then switch to Antiox-6 to continue the hydration step without the active peptides. Consider using red LED lights to calm and soothe the skin.

C

Skip the rest of Step 3 entirely and move directly to the post-care product application to avoid further irritation.

Exactly right!

When a client has a strong reaction to peptides, the protocol is to neutralize the skin and switch to Antiox-6, which delivers the hyaluronic acid hydration benefits without the active multi-peptide or brightening agents. Red LED lights can also be used to calm and soothe reactive skin. You still complete the hydration step — you just use a gentler formula.

Not quite — try again

Option A ignores a clear client discomfort signal. While some tingling can be normal, "warm burning" indicates a strong peptide reaction. The protocol specifically calls for neutralizing the skin and switching to Antiox-6 when this happens. Never push through client discomfort.

Not quite — try again

Option C skips the hydration step entirely, which means the client misses the protective benefits of Step 3. The protocol provides a solution for reactive skin: Antiox-6. This gives the client the hyaluronic acid hydration without the peptides causing the reaction. Don't skip the step — adapt it.

Module Complete

You now know the complete Signature HydraFacial protocol — products, tips, techniques, and how to adapt for sensitive skin. Time to put it into practice.

5

Lessons Completed

2/2

Scenarios Passed

12 min

Time Spent

Post-Care & Client Education

The treatment doesn't end when the handpiece goes down. Post-care product application and client education are essential to results and retention.

After the Signature HydraFacial, gently massage Daily Essentials Plus into the skin. Follow with PureMoist oil-free moisturizer with hyaluronic acid. Finish by applying UV Smart daily sunscreen to all treated areas — face and décolleté. Post-care products may vary based on the client's needs.

Educate clients on what to expect during and after treatment. Perform a skin assessment and create a customized treatment plan. For optimal results, bring the client back within 30 days for their next HydraFacial. Consistent monthly treatments build on each session's results.

Protocol Quick Reference

Blue tip + Activ-4: Dab-and-spread, then two overlapping outward strokes. Two full passes. Teal tip + GlySal: Single feathering strokes, no overlap. One pass only. Leave on skin during extractions.

Teal tip + Beta-HD: Long slow passes, focus on T-zone. Kiss-and-twist for nose tip. Stay away from orbital area. Neutralize skin and clean system with rinse-away when complete.

Clear tip + Antiox+: Tight grid pattern, dab-and-hold. Continue until skin no longer absorbs. Switch to Antiox-6 for reactive skin. Red LED to calm if needed. Finish with Daily Essentials Plus, PureMoist, and UV Smart sunscreen.

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Next steps: Shadow two Signature HydraFacial treatments with a senior aesthetician this week. Then complete the "Booster Add-Ons" module to learn Britenol, Dermabuilder, and Growth Factor protocols.