Frequently Asked Questions

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frequently asked questions

Are skin checks bulk billed?
We currently only offer bulk billing at our Medowie clinic. Skin checks are not bulk billed at our Maitland clinic, we do offer discounts to concession card holders and you do receive a rebate back from Medicare. As our prices change due to any alterations made by Medicare it is best to call and chat to our reception staff who will give you accurate figures.

Can I claim anything back from private health?
Unfortunately, private health does not cover skin checks.

At what age should I start having my skin checked?
18 years old is the recommended age for routine checks but our doctors are happy to see younger children if there are any concerns.

How often should I have my skin checked?
This will vary per person but it is recommended to have your skin checked at least every 12 months. Your doctor may request shorter intervals at 6 or 3 months.

Will I always see the same doctor?
Unless you request to see the same doctor for your regular skin checks our reception staff will offer our next available doctor, as all our doctors are trained and qualified. They will also have access to any previous notes on your file.

Can I book before my regular skin check?
Yes, if you have a lesion that has come up or changed you can book for a full skin check or we can book a single spot check with the doctor you saw last time.

Can I book straight in to have a procedure or do I need to have skin check?
Our doctors need to see you before we can book you for a procedure, this is so they can determine the length of time required to be able to treat you properly.
It will also avoid any unnecessarily surgical procedure or scarring especially as we offer cosmetic treatments for lesions benign lesions.

Do I get anything back from Medicare for my procedure?
You do receive a portion of the amount back from Medicare. You will only be out of pocket for the doctors fee and consumables which vary based on appointment length.
All our costings will be thoroughly explained to you before booking an excision appointment.

Will I need to come back for stitches?
Yes wound management is required post treatment and will be given to you by the doctors. Any basic wound management with the nurse is covered by the cost of the excision. LED light therapy or scar revision treatments will be at an additional cost.

Can I have Plexr mole removal instead of a surgical procedure?
No, Plexr is a cosmetic treatment. Your doctor will always recommend the best treatment for the skin cancer they have identified.

Will I see the same doctor for my excision?
Yes, your treating doctor has seen the lesion and based the excision time of what they have seen during your consultation.

How long can I wait before removing the cancer?
Once the cancer is identified you should book in to have it removed as soon as possible as some lesions spread faster then others. If there are any concerns around timeframes for these appointments this needs to be discussed with your doctor as soon as possible.

Can I drive after my procedure?
All of our procedures are performed using local anesthetic meaning your ability to drive will not be impaired. However, your doctor may recommend you to bring someone depending on the location of the lesion being removed.

What should I do if I get bleeding post excision?
If you have bleeding or concerns post excision call the clinic as soon as possible and an appointment will be booked in with one of our nurses

Carbon Facials – The secret to instantly radiant skin
The Carbon Facial, also known as the ‘China Doll Facial’ or ‘Hollywood Facial’, is an advanced skin rejuvenation treatment that was first made popular in Asia to achieve a flawless complexion. It is now in demand the world over.

What’s Involved?
Carbon Facial treatment combines laser/IPL technology with a special carbon cream applied to the facial region. The laser/IPL and carbon cream work in synergy to reduce skin imperfections such as enlarged pores, hyperpigmentation, acne and expression lines, while also purifying and toning skin for an instantly radiant complexion.
Treatment is quick, non-invasive, and there’s no post-treatment downtime — so you can get back to work or your usual daily activities following your session. Some redness may occur, which will usually subside within a few hours and may be covered up with light makeup.

Glowing results after your first treatment!
As Carbon Facial treatments ‘peels’ off the outer layer of dead skin cells, your skin is instantly exfoliated and deeply cleaned, resulting in a noticeably more radiant complexion after just one session. This is why Carbon Facials are a popular choice for celebrities and public personalities, as they can achieve an instant luminous glow before a big event when their skin has to look and feel its best. Although you will notice an improvement to your skin after just one treatment, a course of treatments spaced at 1-4 week intervals is recommended for optimum skin corrective results.

What can I expect during and after my Skin Peel treatment?
While the peels are on the skin you can expect to feel mild to moderate tingling as the ingredients penetrate into the dermis to the living cells. Once the peel is removed erythema (redness) might be experienced due to increased circulation.
Depending on the level of the peel completed will determine the amount of peeling or flaking you experience. However, with home care products and increasing the peel strength over appointments this should be mild to minimal.

Can I go to work following my Peel?
Yes, however, your therapist will recommend you do not wear make-up for 24hours.

How often can I have a chemical peel done?
Pom-zyme peels will be performed 2-4 weeks apart.
Retinfuse peels are performed 4 weeks apart.

Are chemical peels safe?
Chemical peels are safe for the skin when performed by a qualified therapist. Lactic acid peels will be applied and removed after a recommended period of time that never exceeds 10minutes. Retinfuse will neutralise itself after a period of time and can be left on the skin overnight.

When will I notice results?
After your first peel you will notice your skin has a smooth, fresh-faced feel for 24-48 hours. The further you move into a treatment plan the longer your results will last.

Cost
Our prices are fair and are in accordance with current trends. All costing will be advised before treatment.

What can I expect during and after my Skin Peel treatment?
While the peels are on the skin you can expect to feel mild to moderate tingling as the ingredients penetrate into the dermis to the living cells. Once the peel is removed erythema (redness) might be experienced due to increased circulation.
Depending on the level of the peel completed will determine the amount of peeling or flaking you experience. However, with home care products and increasing the peel strength over appointments this should be mild to minimal.

Can I go to work following my Peel?
Yes, however, your therapist will recommend you do not wear make-up for 24hours.

How often can I have a chemical peel done?
Pom-zyme peels will be performed 2-4 weeks apart.
Retinfuse peels are performed 4 weeks apart.

Are chemical peels safe?
Chemical peels are safe for the skin when performed by a qualified therapist. Lactic acid peels will be applied and removed after a recommended period of time that never exceeds 10minutes. Retinfuse will neutralise itself after a period of time and can be left on the skin overnight.

When will I notice results?
After your first peel you will notice your skin has a smooth, fresh-faced feel for 24-48 hours. The further you move into a treatment plan the longer your results will last.

How many treatments are necessary?
It is impossible to accurately predict the number of treatments necessary as it depends on the amount of ink used and how deep the ink was inserted. However as a guide most professional tattoos will require at least six to twelve treatments. Follow up treatments are conducted at no less than 4-6 week intervals. Further fading can occur for several months after each treatment.

Can all types of tattoos be treated?
It is possible to remove or significantly lighten most tattoos. Black, blue and red tattoos tend to respond well. Aqua, green and yellow tattoos may be more resistant and only partially fade. White tattoos reflect laser light and therefore do not respond to laser treatment.

What are the costs likely to be?
Treatment costs will vary depending on the size, colour and time required to treat the tattoo. This can be discussed during your initial consultation.

How frequent are the treatments?
Time is required between each treatment to allow the body’s lymphatic (cleaning) system to remove the ink that has been treated by the laser. A minimum period of six (6) weeks between treatments is recommended.

How long after being tattooed can removal commence?
Removal can commence as soon as the tattoo has completely healed. Although it may appear healed within a week or two the tattoo will still require further time to completely heal prior to removal commencing. A minimum period of six (6) weeks is advised. Your initial consultation can take place at any time during the six weeks.

Can the area be re-tattooed?
Yes, the area can be re-tattooed following laser removal. Whether you have had complete removal, partial removal or just lightening of the area will be able to be re tattooed. The wish to replace an existing tattoo is a common reason for having laser tattoo removal.

Will the tattoo completely disappear?
In many cases, there will be a 100% clearance of the tattoo. On average, 95% fading is considered a good result. The result depends upon the colour and type of ink used as well as the depth of penetration of the ink in the skin. Your therapist can discuss with you the likeliness of success during your initial consultation.

What is the downtime post treatment?
There is no downtime or limitation to normal activities following Epiblading.

What is the difference between epiblading and microdermabrasion?
Epiblading, has the added benefit of removing unwanted facial hair without stimulating new growth or changing the hairs structure. It is also more recommended for fragile and delicate skin.

How soon will I notice results?
Results will be noticed straight away following treatment.

I have sensitive skin am I a suitable candidate?
Everyone is suitable for Epiblading, it is a form of exfoliation that does not interfere with your vascular system.

Should I Pair Epiblading with other treatments?
Absolutely, Epiblading ill remove vellus hairs that can reflect laser or IPL lights away from the skin, reducing their penetration. It will also improve the penetration and depth of peels because dry dead cells act as a sponge soaking up your products before they can reader the deeper layers of the skin where cellular changes occur.

How often can I have Epiblading done?
Treatments are recommended every four weeks when combining skin health with hair reduction. Epiblading can also be performed as a one-off treatment before events.

Are MediLUX treatments suitable for me?
MediLUX treatments are safe, comfortable and suitable for all skin types. During consultation, your clinician will discuss a treatment plan tailored to your individual skin concerns.

What is the difference between Red Light LED and Near-Infrared LED?
Red light targets the dermal layers, providing excellent results in collagen and elastin synthesis. Near-infrared light is able to penetrate even deeper in the dermis — reaching the subcutaneous layer of the skin and muscle to enable deep tissue repair and cellular regeneration.

Can MediLUX LED treatments be combined with other aesthetic treatments?
MediLUX treatments are restorative by nature and will optimise results when paired with other skincare-based and technology-enhanced treatments.

Am I suitable for a Blepharoplasty treatment?
Blepharoplasty treatments are performed in a sensitive area of the face. The best candidates will be lower on the Fitzpatrick scale, not be prone to keloid scarring and have a moderate pain tolerance.It is our practice that we perform an initial consultation to determine your individual needs and treatment plan.

How many treatments do I need?
Although you will notice glowing results after just 1 treatment, however results vary for each individual and further treatments may be required to achieve your desired result.

What can I expect on the day of my appointment?
Your skin will be cleaned and prepared by our Plexr specialists, numbing cream can be applied and will be discussed during your consultation. Plexr Blepharoplasty treatments can take 1-2 hours to complete, during this time your eyes need to remain closed. The treating specialist will make controlled, superficial wounds to the area that will provide you with the best lifting and tightening result. Smoke and a smell of burning skin is expected.

Is it painful?
Mild to moderate pain is experienced by patients undergoing Plexr treatments. However, clients are able to complete the full treatments with the aid of topical numbing agents.

What can I expect after?
Immediately after there will be swelling and the area will be red and tight. After your treatments you will be given post care instructions and creams to apply to the area. There will be small scabs present that can take 1-2 weeks to slough off, it is vital you do not pick at the scab otherwise you risk scarring. A review will be completed by one of our specialists as discussed in your treatment plan.

Are Blepharoplasty treatments expensive?
Blepharoplasty treatment prices reflect the single use tips, the treating therapists wage, the products provided as well as the review appointment. While the cost can feel like an outlay consider the prices for surgical interventions that can be $12,000 to $20,000, even with multiple treatments your expenses will be minimal compared to surgery.

Who will be performing my treatment?
Your treatment will be performed by our qualified nurses or laser technicians, who have undergone additional training to be offer skin treatments with a medical focus.

How does IPL work?
A fully trained therapist will apply a specially designed hand piece to your skin and generate an intense pulse of light which will be absorbed by targets in your skin. The light delivered from the hand piece is delivered at high intensity during a very short period of time. It is this rapid discharge of light that provides the high energy levels required for each IPL treatment to be effective!

Hair Removal Treatments
IPL hair removal treatments are easy, painless and quick solution to unwanted hair and can be successfully used on the body or the face. Usually a course of 6 – 8 treatments is required to achieve optimal result, but once you’ve completed your treatment cycle, you can look forward to a lifetime of smooth skin with only the occasional maintenance treatment. Compare that to the cost and hassle of a lifetime of waxing.

Skin Tone Correction
Whether born with them or acquired over the course of a lifetime, virtually everyone has one or more sun spots, freckles or skin discolouration they’d love to get rid of! A doctor’s letter confirming that no skin cancers are present is usually required before commencing your treatment cycle and a series of 4 – 6 treatments spaced 4 week apart are required for optimal results. Treatments areas such as backs of hands, forearms, décolletage and face will respond well.

Rejuvenation Treatment
Everybody loves the sunshine! Limited exposure is good for the soul and the immediate effects it has on the skin such as a tan and healthy glow are much desired. However, in the long term, sun exposure decreases the production of collagen, which in turn causes damage to the skin making it feel wrinkled and coarse and looking red and tired. Skin rejuvenation treatments will improve skin tone, texture, refine and refresh the skin by increasing the production of collagen in the skin.

Redness Reduction
Estimates indicate that unsightly veins are a common problem for more than 60% of the adult population! Our trained clinicians can offer treatments which will reduce facial blemishes such as red flushing and red spots found on cheeks and around the nose with minimal downtime or risk. A treatment cycle of 4 – 6 treatments spaced two to three weeks apart is usually required to reach your best possible outcome.

Skin Clearing
Our trained clinicians are now able to offer IPL based acne management programs for their clients. These unique treatments are designed to specifically slow the overall production of oil that leads to acne, thus dramatically reducing the chance of spots and minimising the appearance of pores in general. Results will vary, but most people will see a significant improvement in skin condition. Treatment should be spaced approximately 1 – 2 weeks apart.

Please contact us if you have additional questions