It is an AHPRA requirement that we advise you of how to contact us in the immediate postoperative/ post procedure period when complications are most likely to occur.

This is not only a legal obligation and duty of care, but also good medical practice. 

We have robust processes in place especially when patients are new, or having new treatments, where we touch base with you several times in the first 24-48 hours especially before a weekend. 

Once we are both satisfied all is well, we default to the usual processes, outlined below. 

How do I contact the clinic if I am worried? 

The Medical Board has strict rules around how we can interact with patients especially for medical advice. 

The best and safest way for us all to interact is via the official channels: 

During clinic hours: 

• We are in clinic Monday – Friday 8am to 4pm  AEST. Dr Joshi is in clinic some of those days.

   

• Text us on the messaging system that confirms appointments and similar for you. This number is usually dedicated for you.

   

• Text us on this number to request a review and Dr Joshi will advise whether this is safe to conduct via phone or if she needs to see you in person. A review needs to be conducted in real time.

   

• You may also email us on contact@skinessentials.com.au.

   

• We will respond as soon as we are able with instructions on next steps. 

Outside of clinic hours: 

• We are closed Saturdays and Sundays.

   

• We are also closed all public holidays.

   

• Over the Christmas and New Year period, the clinic shuts down annually for a period of 4 weeks during which emails, texts and phone calls are not monitored.

   

• During this and beyond the time sensitive period, you may wish to see your GP, an alternate doctor at an Urgent Care Clinic or ED if you have a concern that you feel cannot wait. 

In summary. 

1. In general, if you have a concern in the first 24 hours it is better to check with us than to assume it will be fine, especially ahead of any weekends and public holidays when clinic is closed.

    

2. We have a system in place for all new patients and new treatments. 
   
   • We check in with you after the first few hours, and

      

   • the next day and then
      
   • on a friday ahead of a weekend to ensure all is on track.

      

3. Any potential complications following treatment for wrinkles is unlikely to occur before 3-5 days at the earliest. While it is important to advise us when we are in clinic, these treatments are irreversible and will wear off over weeks to months.

    

4. Complications with some volumising medications (dermal fillers) are the main category of drugs that are time sensitive where missing treatment windows risks significant harm; to mitigate this, we have robust protocols in place for followup the first 2-3 days for all new patients until we both know all is well.

“I was fine in the immediate post treatment period, but now have symptoms days later that I am unsure are related to my treatment. What do I do?”

If the initial period when complications are most likely has passed and the clinic is operational, please reach out to request an appointment with us for guidance and assessment. There may be an additional fee for this. 

If your concern occurs outside of clinic operating hours and you are worried, please find an Urgent Care Clinic where you may be seen. 

Once the time sensitive  period has passed, it is less and less likely that anything serious is wrong but it is reassuring for you and for us to know you have been assessed and remain well until we are back in clinic. 

We do not offer an on call/ concierge service for non urgent enquiries. 

Our contact details again : 

1. Replying to the text message confirming your appointments is best.

    

2. Emailing us on contact@skinessentials.com.au
3. Texting us on 0489916449 

Clinic Hours are : Wednesdays – Fridays 08:00- 16:00 but all messages are checked daily from monday to friday 0800- 1600. 

We are closed weekends and public holidays. 

More specific advice tailored to your treatments. 

The following information is in more detail, depending on the type of treatment you’ve had. 

You would have received aftercare written information the first time you had a particular treatment. 

Below are summaries of these. 

At Skin Essentials, we have advised patients of what to expect post procedural work that involves breaking the skin for years. 

We summarise these for you below, and ways to contact us in the immediate period afterwards. 

We also cover what to do in the event that you have a question or concern once this period is past, for a non urgent concern. 

AHPRA and the TGA regulate healthcare professionals highly and it is never appropriate to contact us informally, by way of social media messages, with photos and the like for medical advice. 

• In the first 24 hours after a biopsy for potential skin cancers

   

1. 1. Some discomfort, bruising and tenderness is common so we always advise pain relief such as paracetamol for the first few days. 

• In the first 2-3 days after excision of a known skin cancer.

   

1. 1. Dr Joshi removes skin cancers on wednesdays for the most part to allow for 2-3 days of recovery when we monitor you for any concerns via text messages.

       

   2. If needed, we will see you back in clinic on the first friday (ie in 2 days) to check on the wound and change dressings before we close for the weekend so we are both reassured all is well.

       

   3. At this review, if antibiotics are required, Dr Joshi will provide you a script for this.

       

   4. If you have any ongoing concerns over the weekend, we suggest you see your GP or a doctor at Urgent Care. 

• In the first week after treatment for lines and wrinkles.

   

1. 1. Treatment for lines and wrinkles does not take effect until 3-7 days in most people, so barring common side effects – bruising, swelling, headache- we do not expect any issues till the week after treatment.

       

   2. If you do have concerns after this, we invite you back into clinic for a review appointment to assess and address your concerns.

       

   3. Treatment for lines and wrinkles cannot be reversed and any concerns will eventually resolve over weeks to months. 

• In the first 24-48 hours after treatment with volumising drugs (dermal fillers)

   

1. 1. These are medications that act as semi permanent implants commonly used in Dr Joshi’s signature FFA but also individually.

       

   2. These medications carry a rare but known risk of catastrophic side effects; namely 1:100,000 risk of blindness and 1:1000 risk of blockage of a blood vessel.

       

   3. Most commonly, these side effects, if they were to occur, happen during treatment and rarely, within the first few hours post treatment.

       

   4. Dr Joshi usually has you wait around the first few times we treat you with these medications before heading home especially if you are travelling  some distance.

       

   5. After the first 24 hours, risk drops significantly if you remain well.

       

   6. At Skin Essentials, we check on you

       

      • 4-6 hours after your treatment; then

         

      • the next day and usually

         

      • friday afternoon before we close for the weekend your first few treatment times.

         

   7. As always, we encourage you to contact us if you have any concerns especially in the first few hours post treatment especially ahead of a weekend because time is of the essence with this class of drugs. 

• In the first 24-48 hours after treatment with biostimulatory treatments including drugs and devices.

   

1. 1. Commonest side effects are lumps, bumps and temporary swelling to the treated areas as well as bruising.

       

   2. As always, we encourage you to contact us if you have any concerns especially in the first few hours post treatment especially ahead of a weekend.

       

All these medications are very safe in experienced hands, but it is important to understand what you are consenting to and how we will support you the first 24-48 hours if needed. 

If you have further questions please feel free to raise them at your next appointment.