HydraFacial Tips and Settings: A Clinician’s Guide

Key Takeaways

HydraFacial uses five colour-coded HydroPeel tips: blue (gentle exfoliation), orange (aggressive exfoliation), purple (intensive exfoliation for thick/oily skin), teal (extractions), and clear (booster and serum delivery).

Suction and serum flow settings should be adjusted per skin type. Start lower for sensitive or rosacea-prone skin and increase gradually for oilier, thicker skin.

The Syndeo delivery system stores client treatment preferences digitally, enabling consistent settings across repeat visits.

Each HydroPeel tip is single-use per client. Reusing tips risks cross-contamination and infection.

Pairing the right booster serum with the correct tip and skin concern is what separates a good HydraFacial result from a great one.

What Are HydraFacial Tips?

HydraFacial tips, officially called HydroPeel tips, are the disposable attachments that connect to the HydraFacial handpiece. Each tip has a different spiral design and abrasiveness level, engineered for a specific stage of the treatment. The patented vortex-fusion technology creates a swirling motion that simultaneously dislodges impurities and infuses serums into the skin.

Understanding which HydraFacial tip to use, and when, is fundamental to delivering consistent, safe, and effective treatments. This guide covers every tip type, recommended machine settings by skin type, treatment protocols, and best practices for clinicians and aestheticians offering HydraFacial services.

HydraFacial Tip Types Explained

HydraFacial tips are colour-coded for quick identification during treatment. Each colour corresponds to a specific function in the treatment workflow.

Blue Tip: Gentle Cleansing and Exfoliation

The blue HydroPeel tip is the standard exfoliation tip used in the first step of most HydraFacial treatments. It provides gentle yet effective exfoliation suitable for all skin types, including sensitive skin. The blue tip loosens surface debris, dead skin cells, and excess sebum while the vortex suction removes them from the skin’s surface.

Use the blue tip for:

• Initial cleansing pass on normal, dry, combination, and sensitive skin
• First-time HydraFacial clients who have not had the treatment before
• Maintenance treatments on skin that is already in good condition
• Clients with rosacea or reactive skin where a gentler approach is needed

Orange Tip: Aggressive Exfoliation

The orange aggression tip replaces the blue tip when a more intensive exfoliation is needed. It has a coarser abrasive pattern that removes a thicker layer of dead skin cells. This tip is not for sensitive or thin skin.

Use the orange tip for:

• Clients with dull, rough, or sun-damaged skin that needs deeper resurfacing
• Oily skin types where a gentle pass is insufficient
• Clients who receive regular HydraFacials and have built tolerance to the blue tip
• Pre-event treatments where maximum brightness is the goal

Purple Tip: Intensive Exfoliation for Thick or Oily Skin

The purple aggression tip is the most abrasive option in the HydroPeel range. It delivers the deepest mechanical exfoliation and is reserved for clients with resilient, thick, or particularly oily skin that does not respond adequately to the blue or orange tips.

Use the purple tip for:

• Thick, sebaceous skin with persistent congestion
• Clients with significant textural irregularities
• Men’s skin, which tends to be thicker and oilier than women’s
• Body treatments (back, chest) where skin is naturally thicker

Exercise caution with the purple tip. Over-exfoliation can compromise the skin barrier, leading to redness, sensitivity, and prolonged recovery. Always assess the client’s skin tolerance before selecting this tip.

Teal Tip: Targeted Extractions

The teal HydroPeel tip is specifically designed for the extraction step. Its smaller vortex opening creates more focused suction, effectively drawing out blackheads, whiteheads, and sebaceous filaments from individual pores. This tip is used after the exfoliation step, once the skin has been loosened and prepped.

Use the teal tip for:

• Focused extraction on the T-zone (forehead, nose, chin)
• Congested areas with visible blackheads or clogged pores
• Clients with acne-prone skin who need thorough pore clearance
• Targeted work on specific problem areas rather than full-face sweeps

Clear Tip: Booster and Serum Delivery

The clear tip is the final tip used in the treatment sequence. It is the delivery mechanism for booster serums and antioxidant solutions. Unlike the exfoliation and extraction tips, the clear tip is smooth and non-abrasive. Its function is purely to infuse active ingredients into the freshly cleansed and exfoliated skin using vortex-fusion technology.

Use the clear tip for:

• Delivering booster serums (Britenol, DermaBuilder, ReGen GF, Hydralock HA, and others)
• Applying the Antiox+ serum in the final hydration and protection step
• Any serum infusion stage of the protocol

Body Tip

HydraFacial also offers a dedicated body tip with a larger surface area, designed for treating the back, chest, and other body areas. The larger tip covers more skin per pass, making body treatments practical within a reasonable appointment time.

HydraFacial Tip Comparison Table

Machine Settings by Skin Type

HydraFacial machines (including the Syndeo delivery system) allow clinicians to adjust suction vacuum levels and serum flow rates. Correct settings prevent over-treatment on delicate skin and ensure adequate cleansing on thicker skin types.

The chart below illustrates recommended suction ranges for different skin types. Always start at the lower end of the range and adjust based on client tolerance.

Sensitive and Rosacea-Prone Skin

• Tip: Blue only
• Suction: Low (start at the lowest setting and increase only if the client is comfortable)
• Serum flow: Standard
• Passes: Single pass per area; avoid repeated passes over the same zone
• Booster: Hydralock HA or NassifMD Hydraglucan for calming hydration
• Notes: Skip the acid peel step entirely if the skin is actively inflamed. Monitor for erythema throughout treatment.

Normal and Combination Skin

• Tip: Blue for cheeks and forehead; teal for T-zone extractions
• Suction: Medium
• Serum flow: Standard
• Passes: One to two passes depending on congestion level
• Booster: Select based on client concern (Britenol for pigmentation, DermaBuilder for fine lines, JLO Beauty for overall glow)
• Notes: This is the most common skin type in clinic. Standard protocol with no modifications needed for most clients.

Oily and Acne-Prone Skin

• Tip: Orange or purple for exfoliation; teal for extended extraction
• Suction: Medium-high
• Serum flow: Standard to high
• Passes: Two passes on congested areas
• Booster: Murad Clarifying Booster (salicylic acid + green tea)
• Notes: Spend extra time with the teal tip on the nose, chin, and forehead. For active inflammatory acne, avoid direct suction on pustules to prevent spreading bacteria.

Mature and Ageing Skin

• Tip: Blue (mature skin thins with age, so gentle exfoliation is usually appropriate)
• Suction: Low to medium
• Serum flow: Standard
• Passes: Single pass
• Booster: ReGen GF+ (growth factors + vegan collagen) or HydraFillic Pep9 (peptide complex for firming)
• Notes: Focus on hydration and serum infusion rather than aggressive exfoliation. The clear tip and booster step is where the most value is delivered for this skin type.

Standard HydraFacial Treatment Protocol

A standard HydraFacial treatment follows a three-step protocol: cleanse and exfoliate, extract, then fuse and protect. Each step uses a specific tip and solution combination.

Step 1: Cleanse and Exfoliate

Attach the appropriate exfoliation tip (blue, orange, or purple based on skin assessment). Apply the Activ-4 cleanser serum through the handpiece. Make smooth, overlapping passes across the entire treatment area. The vortex action lifts dead cells and surface debris while the solution dissolves excess oil.

Follow with the GlySal acid peel (glycolic and salicylic acid blend). This chemical exfoliation step softens the contents of clogged pores, preparing them for extraction. Leave on for the manufacturer-recommended duration, then remove with the handpiece.

Step 2: Extract

Switch to the teal extraction tip. The Beta-HD serum flows through the handpiece during this step, providing additional salicylic acid to dissolve pore-clogging debris as the vortex suction removes it. Focus on areas of visible congestion: nose, chin, inner cheeks, and forehead.

The waste canister will collect the extracted material, which serves as a visual demonstration for clients of what was removed from their skin. Many clinicians photograph the canister contents as a before-and-after talking point. Pairing these with dedicated before and after photo tracking gives clients a compelling visual record of their skin’s progress over multiple sessions.

Step 3: Fuse and Protect

Switch to the clear tip. Deliver the selected booster serum followed by the Antiox+ solution containing antioxidants, peptides, and hyaluronic acid. This step saturates the freshly cleaned skin with active ingredients at their point of maximum absorption.

If LED light therapy is included (available with the Syndeo system and LightStim Elipsa attachment), apply it after serum infusion. Red LED supports collagen production and calms inflammation. Blue LED targets acne-causing bacteria.

Choosing the Right Booster for Each Skin Concern

Booster serums are concentrated formulations delivered via the clear tip during the fuse-and-protect step. Selecting the right booster is where clinicians can truly customise the HydraFacial to each client’s needs.

Hygiene and Safety Best Practices

Proper hygiene protocols protect both clients and practitioners. HydraFacial tips are medical-grade consumables with strict usage guidelines.

• Single-use only. Every HydroPeel tip must be used on one client and then discarded. Reusing tips on multiple clients creates a direct risk of cross-contamination and infection.
• Handpiece sanitation. Clean the handpiece exterior with medical-grade disinfectant between clients. Follow the manufacturer’s cleaning protocol for internal tubing and connections.
• Waste canister disposal. Empty and clean the waste collection canister after every treatment. The extracted material contains biological waste and should be disposed of according to your clinic’s infection control policy.
• Serum storage. Store booster serums and treatment solutions at room temperature unless the manufacturer specifies otherwise. Check expiry dates before every treatment session.
• Client screening. Do not perform HydraFacial treatments on clients with active cold sores, open wounds, sunburn, or skin infections in the treatment area. Clients on isotretinoin (Accutane) within the past six months should also be excluded.

Documenting HydraFacial Treatments in Practice

Thorough documentation of each HydraFacial treatment supports clinical consistency, client satisfaction, and regulatory compliance. Storing detailed treatment notes for every session protects your clinic and improves outcomes. For every session, record:

• Tips used (colour and size)
• Machine settings (suction level, serum flow)
• Booster serum selected
• Areas treated and number of passes
• Any adverse reactions or client feedback during treatment
• Before-and-after photographs (with consent)
• Recommendations for the next session

Clinics using facial consultation forms can integrate HydraFacial treatment records into their existing clinical documentation workflow. Using dedicated treatment notes software makes it straightforward to store tip selections, suction levels, and booster choices alongside each client record, so the next clinician who treats that client has full visibility of what was done previously. Linking treatment records to your client management system ensures nothing falls through the cracks.

The Syndeo system adds a digital layer here by automatically storing treatment protocols and client preferences in the cloud. However, this should supplement your clinical records, not replace them. Your practice management system remains the single source of truth for client treatment history. When clients are ready to rebook, online booking lets them schedule their next session directly, with their saved preferences already on file.

Common Mistakes Clinicians Make with HydraFacial Settings

• Using the same tip and settings for every client. A one-size-fits-all approach defeats the purpose of a customisable treatment. Always assess skin type and condition before selecting tips and settings.
• Setting suction too high on first-time clients. Start conservatively. Clients new to HydraFacial may have more reactive skin. You can always increase suction on subsequent visits.
• Skipping the teal extraction tip. Some clinicians rush through the protocol and combine exfoliation and extraction with a single tip. The teal tip exists for a reason: its focused suction delivers more effective pore clearance than the exfoliation tips alone.
• Over-treating with aggressive tips. The purple and orange tips are powerful. Using them on thin, dehydrated, or sensitised skin can cause barrier damage, persistent redness, and client dissatisfaction. Reserve aggressive tips for skin that genuinely needs them.
• Not documenting settings. If you cannot replicate what you did last time, you cannot build on it. Record every treatment.

Expert Picks

Facial Consultation Form Guide

Why Consultations Matter for Med Spas

Med Spa Before and After Photos Guide