Facial treatment in Hamburg
Four names, one face and no clear answer. Aquafacial, Microneedling, BB Glow and Microdermabrasion sound similar, but they do very different things: one flushes, one abrades, one sets stimuli into the skin, one brings in colour. This page places them side by side. How deep each one goes, how much downtime it costs, how often it makes sense and who it is not meant for. At the end comes the case in which none of the four is the right answer.
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Start with the concern, not with the method
The first question is not the method, but what bothers you. Dull skin, clogged pores and an appointment in a few days usually lead to the Aquafacial, around 60 minutes. A rough, flaky surface and a lacklustre complexion speak for Microdermabrasion, around 45 minutes. Fine lines and coarse pores are the field of Microneedling, several sessions of around 60 minutes each; with scars after acne we clarify beforehand whether the dermatologist is the better step. BB Glow aims at a more even complexion without make-up, also around 60 minutes. There are separate pages for Aquafacial, Microneedling and BB Glow; Microdermabrasion is covered on the Aquafacial page.
How deep the four methods work
The epidermis is around 0.05 millimetres thick on the eyelid, up to 2 millimetres on the sole of the foot, and thin on the face. The horny layer alone has 12 to 200 cell layers. Microdermabrasion removes it, the Aquafacial loosens and flushes it with water, vacuum and serums. As a rule, both work without opening the skin; set strongly, Microdermabrasion can leave small abrasions, which is why we dose according to the skin. Microneedling works with needles, cosmetically up to about 0.5 millimetres; deeper is regarded as medical and is reserved for doctors and non-medical practitioners (Heilpraktiker). That is not a statutory limit, but the recognised dividing line.
Downtime, intervals and the question of the appointment
As a rule, Aquafacial and Microdermabrasion have no downtime; for many, slight redness settles within an hour. Both can therefore also be planned two days before an occasion. Microneedling is different: redness over one to three days is normal, and on the first day no make-up, no sport, no sauna. Here, plan at least two weeks between the treatment and the occasion. As a course, the Aquafacial is often taken as three sessions two to three weeks apart, after that every four to six weeks. Microneedling is usually planned as three to six sessions four to six weeks apart.
What the evidence actually supports
For all four, the data is thinner than the advertising suggests. For hydradermabrasion, the principle behind the Aquafacial, there is an often cited paper by Freedman in the Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology from the year 2008: 20 women aged 34 to 56 years, randomised into two groups. Only one half received six hydradermabrasion treatments seven to ten days apart; the other had the same serum applied by hand. Around ten treated people are no basis for a promise to you. For Microneedling there are more investigations, mostly likewise with participant numbers in the double digits.
Colour pigments are a decision of their own
BB Glow differs from the other three in one point: it combines fine needles with colour pigment, so something remains in the skin. The Bundesinstitut für Risikobewertung (German Federal Institute for Risk Assessment) writes in its questions and answers on tattoo inks of 16 April 2025: "Little is currently known about undesirable health effects of the colour pigments in the body." (Translation from German; the original German wording is authoritative.) There the BfR records that a positive list of harmless colours does not exist so far, and it counts permanent make-up among the agents for tattooing, because pigment remains in the skin, even temporarily. Anyone who would like BB Glow should decide that with open eyes.
When none of the four fits and the dermatologist is next
A beauty studio is not a healing profession; some things do not belong here. Inflammatory acne with nodules or cysts, rosacea in a flare, atopic dermatitis or psoriasis in an active state and every mole that changes belong with the dermatologist. With melasma too, dermatological assessment is the better first step. After isotretinoin, six to twelve months are usually awaited. We do not carry out Microneedling and BB Glow during pregnancy and breastfeeding, with a tendency to raised scars, and with blood-thinning medication. Anyone who has reacted allergically to colourants should say so beforehand; before BB Glow we test on a small area.
Results from the studio
Real clients, published with their consent.
Prices
- Aquafacial 1 h 99 €
- Microneedling (face) 1 h 109 €
- BB Glow 1 h 119 €
- Microdermabrasion 45 min 79 €
All prices include VAT. For the current version, see the price list.
Frequently asked
What is the difference between Aquafacial and Microdermabrasion?
Both work on the uppermost layer of the skin, but in different ways. Microdermabrasion removes the horny layer mechanically and leaves a smoother feel. The Aquafacial loosens it with water, vacuum and active ingredients and brings in moisture in the process. Dry skin low in moisture with clogged pores usually benefits from the Aquafacial, keratinised and lacklustre skin rather from Microdermabrasion.
I have only one appointment free before a wedding. Which one do I take?
Then Aquafacial or Microdermabrasion, and two to three days beforehand. As a rule, both have no downtime. Microneedling and BB Glow are the wrong choice for this case: they need several sessions, and with Microneedling one to three days of redness. Anything that is being tried for the first time does not belong in the week before an important appointment.
Can I have two treatments on the same day?
Aquafacial or Microdermabrasion combine well with quiet care. Microneedling and BB Glow, on the other hand, are not stacked with an abrasive procedure on the same day, because the skin would otherwise be irritated twice over. A sequence spread over weeks makes more sense. What is possible in your case we clarify beforehand in conversation.
Is BB Glow a tattoo?
The line is thinner than you might think: the Bundesinstitut für Risikobewertung (German Federal Institute for Risk Assessment) counts permanent make-up among the agents for tattooing, because pigment stays in the skin, even temporarily. With BB Glow the work is superficial, and for many the result fades after weeks. That is not certain: according to the BfR, skin thickness varies greatly, and the depth of application turns out differently. What sits deeper stays longer.
My skin is blemished. May I come anyway?
Mild blemishes and clogged pores are not an obstacle; that is what the Aquafacial is made for. Inflammatory acne with nodules or pustules is something else and belongs with the dermatologist first. If in doubt, send us a photo in daylight beforehand, then we will tell you honestly whether an appointment makes sense or not.
Who does the treatment and how do I find you?
Hatice Ispir treats personally, with certified expertise under the NiSV for laser applications. The studio is exclusively for women and has 5.0 stars from 23 Google reviews. Spaldingstraße 68, Hamburg-Hammerbrook: around 500 metres to the U1 Hauptbahnhof Süd, less than 50 metres to the Repsoldstraße bus stop, StadtKontor car park around 200 metres. Monday to Friday 10:00 to 20:00, Saturday 11:00 to 18:00, closed on Sundays.
What does a facial treatment cost with you?
The price depends on the treatment and the duration; an Aquafacial takes about 60 minutes, a Microdermabrasion about 45 minutes. The current amounts are in the price list and in the booking window, so that you can see before booking what you are getting into. Consultation and skin check are part of the appointment.
What clients ask next
- Aquafacial in Hamburg – Aquafacial in Hamburg-Mitte: deep cleansing with a water jet, without downtime.
- Microneedling in Hamburg – Microneedling in Hamburg Hammerbrook: what the pen does in the skin, how many sessions are usual and what to bear in mind in the first days afterwards.
- BB Glow in Hamburg – BB Glow at our studio in Hamburg-Hammerbrook: how the treatment works, how many sessions it takes, how long the tint lasts and what the risks are.
Where to find us
The Aesthetic House, Spaldingstraße 68, 20097 Hamburg-Mitte — a few minutes from the main station. Appointments by arrangement, by phone or online.