Your first visit starts with a consultation. It is a relaxed, unhurried conversation in the clinic. We get to know you, look at your skin with you and talk through what might suit you.
Here is what to expect, from the first hello to the moment you head home.
Why every visit starts with a consultation
A consultation is an appointment in its own right. It is where we get to know you, your health and what you would like from your skin.
It happens in person, in the clinic, face to face. We cannot do it from a photo, a form or a message. We need to see your skin and features in the room with you.
There is a good reason for this. Two people can ask about the same area and need quite different advice. What you see on the surface can relate to movement, to the skin itself or to the structure underneath. Seeing you in person helps us tell which. That shapes what is worth talking about.
What we will ask you
We will ask about:
- your general health, and anything you are being treated for
- every medicine and supplement you take, including anything new
- allergies, and how you have responded to treatments in the past
- any cosmetic treatment you have had, roughly when, and how you felt about it
- what you would like from your skin, and how long you have been thinking about it
Some of these may seem unrelated to your skin. They all help. Some medicines affect how easily you bruise. Some health conditions change what is appropriate for you. A recent treatment may still be settling, which changes what we see.
We will also ask how you feel about your appearance. This is a normal part of every consultation. It helps us understand whether a cosmetic treatment suits you as a person. We ask it at every visit.
What we look at together
We look at your face at rest and as you move. Rest shows your features when they are relaxed. Movement shows how your expressions work. We may ask you to raise your brows, frown, squint or smile.
We look at both sides of your face. Every face has its own small differences from one side to the other. We talk these through with you.
We look at your skin and the structure underneath it. That includes texture, hydration and how your skin moves. We also look at your whole face, because every feature sits alongside the others.
By the end, you will understand your own face better. That is a lovely thing to take home, whatever you decide.
What you will know before you leave
Before you leave, you will know:
- what any suggested treatment involves, step by step
- what it can change, and what it cannot
- the risks for that area, how often they happen and what is done about them
- the other options, including waiting or doing nothing
- the full cost of the whole plan
- who would carry out the treatment, what recovery involves and when we would see you again
Ask us to go over anything again, as often as you like. You can have it all in writing. You are welcome to bring someone with you, too.
If you would like a feel for the areas we talk about, you can browse our treatments before your visit.
How a consultation can end
A consultation does not have to end with treatment. It might end with:
- a written plan and costs to take home and think about
- advice on caring for your skin day to day
- a review booked for later, so we can look again together
- a referral to another practitioner who suits what you need
- a suggestion to wait for now
Each of these is a complete outcome. If waiting would suit you better, we will tell you. We will also let you know what to keep an eye on. You never need to decide in the room, and taking time to think is always welcome.
How to prepare
Bring a list of your medicines and supplements, including anything from the chemist or supermarket. Bring details of any past treatments, with rough dates. Jot down your questions before you come, so they are easy to remember.
Skin is easier to look at without makeup, but it is not essential. Come as you are.
Give yourself plenty of time. The visit is more enjoyable when nobody is rushing.
If you are curious about how skin changes through life, read how your face is built, and how it changes with time.
Book your first consultation
We would love to meet you. Book a consultation at our boutique clinic in Fairfield. We can talk about your skin, your goals and what would suit you.
Individual results vary from person to person. A consultation does not guarantee a particular outcome, and for some people the answer is that no treatment is appropriate. Our services are for adults aged 18 and over.