Why do I need an initial consultation if I know what I want, or am booking for a similar treatment I used to have at my last clinic?

Many of our treatment options require an initial consultation

As a medical aesthetic clinic our aim is to achieve a clinical outcome that improves the way your skin functions while working on the way you look, helping to rejuvenate you without it being apparent, unless you want it known.

There are many salons and clinics jostling for your business and many of those compete on price.

At Skin Essentials, our core belief is that your face and skin are important, and as such, any and all evidence based, medical grade treatments, which have the potential to significantly change your skin, face and body, also carry the small risk of doing harm; this deserves an open and honest conversation before we begin. This is the least we can offer you, to understand your expectations and to help you see what is realistically possible, so that you are not left with regret, or feeling pressured into treatments before you are ready.

For some treatments, an initial consultation is a legal requirement. Since July 2020, the Medical Board (AHPRA) guidelines (regarding the provision of cosmetic procedures) require that a consultation is performed, followed by a "cooling-off" period for more involved procedures, prior to treatment, without any rushing on the day.

No two faces or skin or concerns are alike, and so it is important not to take a one-size-fits-all approach to aesthetics or skincare, no matter how tempting. Individualised consultations and personalised care is vital for a longterm therapeutic relationship as well as helping patients decide what is possible and realistic for them within their budget.

At Skin Essentials, you will be fully informed of pre- and post-treatment care to optimise results and of any downtime so that you can plan treatments appropriately in addition to personalised quotes for your specific and individual concerns.

Your safety is our priority and we want patients who are as informed as possible, with realistic expectations that help you feel empowered and excited to be embarking on the journey to investing in yourself.

All of this takes more than a cursory, complimentary consultation designed to "convert" patients to treatment on the day, even if they have come in believing they know what they want and even if they have had the same elsewhere for months or years. As a doctor led clinic, it is our medical duty and obligation to take a thorough medical history and explore your wants and to advise if we are able to help you.

What happens in an initial consultation?

• please arrive 10 minutes early, especially if you have not completed the forms emailed to you on booking prior.
• please bring along required 100 point ID - we will ask for your Medicare card and driver's licence as well as any other necessary documents mandated by state laws such as Covid-19 vaccine certificates
• please arrive makeup free, and with hair tied back and off the face and neck.
• during the Covid-19 pandemic, please wear a face mask indoors until advised it is safe not to.

During your initial consultation, we will take some standard clinical photos of you with your consent. These are stored securely as part of your medical records and are subject to our strict Privacy Policy.

We will also discuss your medical history, medications , previous treatments and your current skincare routine. We ask that you bring all medications and your skincare routine with you or take a picture of it all prior to your appointment and email it to us.

We will go into some depth discussing what you are hoping to get out of any treatments if you were to go ahead, as well as your expectations of how that will affect you in your day to day life and how quickly you expect results. This will enable us to formulate a treatment plan that takes into account your lifestyle, timeline and budget.

You will be emailed your photos as well as a written copy of this treatment plan with quoted costs after the consultation so that you can mull it over and decide what you will do next and book to proceed when you are ready.

In some cases, same-day treatments may be available but there is no pressure to go ahead on the day or to buy products if you are not ready to do so. We recognise that aesthetics is an entirely elective, non essential treatment option and as much as is possible, we want your experiences with us at Skin Essentials to be a happy and empowering one.