Who is suitable for a wrinkle consultation?

Anyone concerned about lines, creases or a tired or tense appearance — and who would like a medical, conservative approach — is welcome to book. The consultation is suitable for first-time patients exploring options, returning patients planning maintenance or a change of approach, and patients seeking a second opinion after treatment elsewhere. There is no pressure to proceed with treatment on the day.

Will treatment make me look frozen or unnatural?

No — that is the explicit philosophy. The goal is to preserve your individuality and natural expression. We aim for you to look like yourself, just more rested and relaxed. Conservative dosing, balanced treatment across the upper and lower face, and a refusal to over-treat are central to how we deliver injectables here. If you do not want a frozen look, you are in the right place.

Can wrinkles be removed permanently?

No treatment stops the underlying ageing process. Many options can soften wrinkles, slow their progression, and improve skin quality so lines deepen more slowly — but maintenance is usually required. Prevention starts younger than most people realise (good SPF, sleep, skincare and modest injectable doses for active expression lines), and visible-correction strategies layer in once lines are established.

How often will I need treatment?

It depends on the modality. Muscle-relaxing injectables typically last 3–6 months — newer formulations can extend a little longer. Collagen-stimulating injectables (such as polynucleotides) work on a different timeline, often with effects building over months and lasting longer. Skin-quality treatments (laser, resurfacing, peels) are typically annual maintenance after the initial course. Your specific intervals are mapped in the consultation.

Why don't you do treatment on the first visit?

For first-time patients, treatment is not performed on the consultation visit. The cooling-off time exists so you leave with a written plan, have space to consider the recommendations and check anything with us before proceeding. This protects against decisions made in the moment, supports informed consent, and reduces the chance of regret. Returning patients with an established plan often have treatment on the same visit.

I had injectables elsewhere and didn't love the result — can you help?

Yes — second-opinion consultations are common. Bring as much detail as you have about previous treatments (clinic, product, dose, dates) and any photographs from before/after. We can review what was done, what is currently visible, what may still be active, and what a reset or a different approach would look like. We will be honest about whether further injectables, time to settle, or a different modality is the right answer.

Do you offer dissolving for hyaluronic acid filler?

Yes — we use hyaluronidase to dissolve hyaluronic acid filler where appropriate. This can be done for over-correction, asymmetry, vascular concerns or simply because you no longer want the filler in place. Like all our injectables it is doctor-led, consent-driven, and we discuss expected outcomes (the area can take days to weeks to settle) before proceeding.

What if injectables aren't the right answer for me?

We will tell you. Plenty of patients come for a wrinkle consultation and leave with a collagen-stimulation, resurfacing or skin-quality plan instead — sometimes alongside small modest injectable doses, sometimes without injectables at all. The consultation is about finding the right answer for your face, not about selling injectables. If a different pathway will give you a better result, we will recommend it honestly.

Consultation

Wrinkle Consultations

A wrinkle consultation at The Skin Doctor is an unhurried, doctor- led appointment focused on understanding your face and goals before any treatment. We assess medical history, facial movement, line mapping and skin quality — and you leave with a written plan and cooling-off time so decisions are never rushed. Treatment is not performed on the first visit for new patients.

By Dr Christopher Irwin, MBChB, FRACGP, MMed (Skin Cancer), FACAM, MSCCA

Last reviewed 2026-06-06 · Editorial policy

Quick definition

A wrinkle consultation at The Skin Doctor is an unhurried, doctor-led 45–60 minute appointment focused on understanding your face and goals before any treatment. We categorise wrinkles by type — dynamic (visible with movement), static (visible at rest), laxity-related (linked to tissue descent), and compression (sleep / posture) — and build a personalised plan covering muscle-relaxing injectables, collagen-stimulating treatments, skin-quality work and prevention. You leave with a written plan and cooling-off time. Treatment is not performed on the first visit for new patients. The explicit philosophy is refreshed, not frozen — preserving individuality, balancing the upper and lower face, and saying so honestly if a non-injectable pathway would give you a better result.

At The Skin Doctor, we see wrinkles as part of a bigger picture — facial movement, skin quality, collagen, lifestyle and time.

Our goal is not to freeze your expression or change the way you look. Our aim is to soften the appearance of lines, support skin health and help you look like a more rested, relaxed version of yourself.

Every wrinkle plan begins with a doctor-led consultation, not a one-size-fits-all treatment.

What is a wrinkle consultation?

A wrinkle consultation is a comprehensive medical and aesthetic assessment of how and why lines have formed on your face — and what can be safely and realistically done to improve them.

Rather than focusing on a single “anti-wrinkle treatment”, we assess:

how your face moves at different expressions
where lines sit at rest
skin thickness and quality
volume changes, laxity and sun damage
your preferences around subtlety, downtime and how “treated” you wish to look

From there, we build a personalised, staged plan aligned with your goals and our shared philosophy: subtle, balanced and natural.

Why do wrinkles form?

Wrinkles rarely have a single cause. Common contributors include:

repetitive expression — frowning, squinting, smiling
collagen and elastin decline — ageing and sun exposure
volume changes — loss or redistribution of fat and support
lifestyle factors — UV exposure, smoking, sleep, stress and nutrition
skin quality — thinner, drier skin creases more easily

We often categorise wrinkles as:

dynamic lines — movement-related (e.g. forehead, frown lines)
static lines — visible at rest
laxity-related lines — linked to tissue descent
sleep or compression lines — due to chronic pressure

Understanding which pattern dominates helps guide the most appropriate treatment approach.

Approaches to wrinkle treatment

Because every face is different, wrinkle management often involves multiple strategies over time.

Muscle-relaxing injectable treatments

These treatments soften the activity of specific facial muscles, helping reduce dynamic lines and slow their progression. Our approach prioritises:

maintaining natural movement
avoiding a “frozen” appearance
balancing the upper and lower face

All injectable treatments are doctor-led and use Schedule 4 medications in accordance with Australian regulations. (For privacy and regulatory reasons we do not name specific brands or products on public pages — these are discussed at consultation.)

Collagen-supporting and texture treatments

For lines related to skin quality or static wrinkling, we may also consider:

collagen-stimulating injectables
Facial resurfacing & skin renewal →
Collagen stimulation & skin remodelling →
microneedling or RF needling
medical-grade skincare and cosmeceuticals (including vitamin A and antioxidants)

These are often combined with muscle-relaxing injectables for a more harmonious result.

Skincare, prevention and maintenance

Long-term wrinkle management includes:

daily broad-spectrum SPF 50+
a tailored home skincare routine
lifestyle strategies (sleep, stress management, smoking cessation)

Our goal is to support your skin for the next decade, not just your next event.

Common areas assessed

Your doctor may assess:

forehead — horizontal expression lines
frown lines (glabella) — vertical lines between the brows
crow’s feet — lines around the eyes
under-eye area — fine lines and texture change
upper lip — vertical “barcode” lines
lower face and chin — dimpling, downturn or mental crease
neck — horizontal lines and vertical bands

Not all areas need treatment. We prioritise the concerns that matter to you and where treatment is likely to provide a meaningful, natural improvement.

What to expect from treatment

During treatment

clinical photography as required
numbing cream for selected procedures
injectable treatments are usually completed within minutes once your plan is agreed

After treatment

mild redness, injection marks or occasional bruising may occur
most patients return to normal activities the same day for injectables
your doctor will advise on aftercare and temporary restrictions

Risks and considerations

All medical treatments carry risk. Potential risks may include:

redness, swelling or bruising
asymmetry or unwanted change in expression
infection (rare)
over- or under-correction
need for adjustment or maintenance over time

Your doctor will discuss risks, benefits and alternatives relevant to your treatment before consent.

Your wrinkle consultation

If you are noticing changes in expression lines or feel your face looks more tired or tense than you feel, a wrinkle consultation can clarify your options in a calm, medical setting.

We are committed to subtle, carefully considered change — never an overdone result. The booking link in the sidebar takes you to the initial consultation.

You may also find these helpful:

What to expect

Medical and skin history

A detailed review of general health, medications, skin conditions, prior cosmetic treatments and any past injectable experience (clinic, product, dose, dates). Important for safety and continuity of care.
Facial movement and line mapping

Observation of expression — smiling, frowning, raising brows, squinting — to map dynamic lines (visible with movement), static lines (visible at rest), and areas of volume loss, thinning or laxity that influence wrinkle pattern.
Skin quality and texture assessment

Evaluation of surface texture, fine lines, pore visibility, pigmentation, sun damage and overall tone, hydration and resilience. Clinical photographs may be taken to assist planning and monitoring over time.
Personalised plan

A written plan covering suitable treatment options (and those we do NOT recommend), expected number of sessions and maintenance intervals, costs, recovery and limitations. Skin-quality and prevention strategies are included where relevant — not just injectables.
Cooling-off time

You leave with the plan in writing. Treatment is not performed on the first visit for new patients — there is always time to consider, ask questions and decide before booking the treatment appointment.

Results timeline

At the consultation Leave with a written treatment plan covering recommended options, costs, expected results, maintenance intervals and any options we have specifically advised against.
After consultation Cooling-off period — typically a few days to a week — to consider the plan, ask follow-up questions, and decide whether to proceed. No pressure to book treatment on the day.
Treatment appointment For muscle-relaxing injectables, treatment itself takes minutes once the plan is agreed. Effect develops over 3–14 days depending on the product and area.
4–6 weeks Review appointment for first-time injectable patients to assess response and refine the plan. Adjustments where needed.
3–6 months Maintenance interval for most muscle-relaxing injectables. Skin-quality and collagen-supporting treatments typically continue on their own cadence.

Ideal candidate

First-time patients considering muscle-relaxing injectables or collagen-supporting treatments
Patients with dynamic lines (forehead, frown, crow's feet) developing with expression
Static lines visible at rest where prevention or softening is the goal
Patients who have had injectables elsewhere and want a second opinion or a new plan
Anyone seeking a conservative, "still looks like me" approach rather than a frozen result
Patients wanting a written plan and time to consider before booking treatment
Returning patients planning maintenance treatment or a switch in approach
Anyone uncertain whether injectables are the right answer — including patients we may steer toward skin-quality work instead

Frequently asked questions

Who is suitable for a wrinkle consultation?

Anyone concerned about lines, creases or a tired or tense appearance — and who would like a medical, conservative approach — is welcome to book. The consultation is suitable for first-time patients exploring options, returning patients planning maintenance or a change of approach, and patients seeking a second opinion after treatment elsewhere. There is no pressure to proceed with treatment on the day.
Will treatment make me look frozen or unnatural?

No — that is the explicit philosophy. The goal is to preserve your individuality and natural expression. We aim for you to look like yourself, just more rested and relaxed. Conservative dosing, balanced treatment across the upper and lower face, and a refusal to over-treat are central to how we deliver injectables here. If you do not want a frozen look, you are in the right place.
Can wrinkles be removed permanently?

No treatment stops the underlying ageing process. Many options can soften wrinkles, slow their progression, and improve skin quality so lines deepen more slowly — but maintenance is usually required. Prevention starts younger than most people realise (good SPF, sleep, skincare and modest injectable doses for active expression lines), and visible-correction strategies layer in once lines are established.
How often will I need treatment?

It depends on the modality. Muscle-relaxing injectables typically last 3–6 months — newer formulations can extend a little longer. Collagen-stimulating injectables (such as polynucleotides) work on a different timeline, often with effects building over months and lasting longer. Skin-quality treatments (laser, resurfacing, peels) are typically annual maintenance after the initial course. Your specific intervals are mapped in the consultation.
Why don't you do treatment on the first visit?

For first-time patients, treatment is not performed on the consultation visit. The cooling-off time exists so you leave with a written plan, have space to consider the recommendations and check anything with us before proceeding. This protects against decisions made in the moment, supports informed consent, and reduces the chance of regret. Returning patients with an established plan often have treatment on the same visit.
I had injectables elsewhere and didn't love the result — can you help?

Yes — second-opinion consultations are common. Bring as much detail as you have about previous treatments (clinic, product, dose, dates) and any photographs from before/after. We can review what was done, what is currently visible, what may still be active, and what a reset or a different approach would look like. We will be honest about whether further injectables, time to settle, or a different modality is the right answer.
Do you offer dissolving for hyaluronic acid filler?

Yes — we use hyaluronidase to dissolve hyaluronic acid filler where appropriate. This can be done for over-correction, asymmetry, vascular concerns or simply because you no longer want the filler in place. Like all our injectables it is doctor-led, consent-driven, and we discuss expected outcomes (the area can take days to weeks to settle) before proceeding.
What if injectables aren't the right answer for me?

We will tell you. Plenty of patients come for a wrinkle consultation and leave with a collagen-stimulation, resurfacing or skin-quality plan instead — sometimes alongside small modest injectable doses, sometimes without injectables at all. The consultation is about finding the right answer for your face, not about selling injectables. If a different pathway will give you a better result, we will recommend it honestly.

Related treatments

Medically reviewed by Dr Christopher Irwin, MBChB, FRACGP, MMed (Skin Cancer), FACAM, MSCCA · Last reviewed 2026-06-06 · Editorial policy