The most important part of aesthetic medicine is often the part that happens before any treatment.
An aesthetic consultation provides time to discuss what you would like to change, what you would prefer to preserve and what you hope to achieve. It also provides an opportunity for a doctor to assess whether treatment is medically appropriate and likely to produce a worthwhile result.
There is no obligation to proceed with treatment. The purpose is to provide an informed medical assessment and help you make the right decision for you.
What happens during the consultation?
Understanding what you want to achieve
We begin by understanding what concerns you, what you would like to improve and what you would like to retain. Your expectations are an important part of the clinical assessment.
Medical and aesthetic history
Relevant medical history, previous procedures, medication, allergies and any factors that could influence treatment are considered.
Facial assessment
Where appropriate, the face is assessed as a whole, considering anatomy, proportions, symmetry, skin characteristics and visible changes associated with ageing.
Discussion of options
If treatment may be appropriate, possible approaches are discussed together with their expected benefits, limitations, risks and alternatives.
Making a decision
You can then decide whether you wish to proceed. In some circumstances, the most appropriate recommendation may be to defer treatment or not to treat.
A consultation may cover
Facial ageing
Lines, loss of definition, changes in volume and other visible changes associated with ageing.
Facial proportion
How different facial features relate to one another and how this affects overall appearance.
Skin health
Skin quality, texture, pigmentation and other factors that may influence appearance.
Treatment suitability
Whether a proposed intervention is appropriate, proportionate and likely to meet your expectations.
What should you bring?
- A clear idea of what you would like to discuss
- Details of previous aesthetic or cosmetic procedures
- A list of relevant medication and allergies
- Information about relevant medical conditions
- Any specific questions or concerns you would like addressed
If a particular procedure is unlikely to produce the result you are seeking, carries unnecessary risk or is not medically appropriate, this will be explained.
Where another specialist opinion would be more appropriate, this can also be discussed.
After the consultation
Depending on your circumstances, you may leave with a clearer understanding of your options, a proposed treatment plan or advice to consider your decision further.
There is no requirement to proceed immediately. Taking time to reflect on treatment can be an important part of responsible aesthetic medicine.
A medical consultation, not a treatment menu
Aesthetic medicine is sometimes presented as a list of individual treatments. We take a different approach. The starting point is the person, their anatomy, their expectations and their medical circumstances.
The treatment, if there is one, follows from that assessment.
Arrange an aesthetic consultation
Discuss your concerns and expectations with an experienced doctor before deciding on treatment.
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