Consultation first
Your consultation covers your concerns, medical history and suitability before you decide whether to proceed.
Injectable treatments · Gold Coast & Melbourne
Wrinkle Reduction
Wrinkle-softening treatments soften the lines that form when you frown, squint or smile. You see an AHPRA-registered nurse first, who checks whether treatment suits you at all.
- Assessment before treatment
- Doctor-led prescribing
- Afterpay available
At a glance
- Appointment time
- 10 to 20 minutes
- Results appear
- 3 to 5 days, full effect at 2 weeks
- Results typically last
- 3 to 4 months
- Downtime
- None for most people
- Prescription required
- Yes (Schedule 4)
About wrinkle-softening treatment
Wrinkle-softening treatments temporarily relax the muscles under lines caused by facial movement. They do very little for lines caused by volume loss or sun damage. Your nurse looks at the type of lines you have before talking about treatment.
Dose and placement affect the result. Your nurse goes through the proposed treatment and review with you at your consultation.
These treatments need a prescription, so you also have a consultation with a qualified prescribing doctor before treatment.
Why have it with us
AHPRA-registered nurses
Treatments are carried out by registered nurses, with registration numbers published on our team page so you can verify them yourself.
Doctor-led prescribing
Schedule 4 medications are prescribed only after a formal consultation with one of our qualified prescribing doctors, in line with AHPRA and TGA requirements.
Understanding costs
Ask for a written quote and check which consultation, treatment and review costs it includes.
What it is used for
Wrinkle-softening treatments work on dynamic lines, the ones that deepen when you make an expression. Your nurse checks in person whether yours are suitable.
Frown lines
The vertical lines between the eyebrows, from the muscles that pull the brows together. One of the most commonly treated areas.
Forehead lines
Horizontal lines across the forehead. Treated carefully, because the same muscle holds your brow up.
Crow's feet
The fine lines at the outer corners of the eyes that show when you smile or squint.
Lip flip
A small dose along the upper lip relaxes the muscle so a little more lip shows. It adds no volume.
Areas commonly assessed
- Forehead
- Between the brows
- Around the eyes
- Upper lip
What's involved
Your practitioner explains each step before treatment.
- Consultation and assessment: Your nurse reviews your medical history, watches how your face moves and works out which lines come from movement. They then tell you whether this treatment suits your concerns.
- Prescribing consultation: Because these are Schedule 4 medications, you have a telehealth consultation with one of our prescribing doctors before treatment. New patients, and anyone who has not visited in 12 months, pay a one-off $35 scripting fee that covers it.
- Your quote, in writing: You are told the areas recommended, the total cost including the scripting fee, and the risks, before you decide anything.
- The treatment: Your nurse cleans the skin and treats the target muscles with a very fine needle. Most people feel a brief sting. You usually do not need anaesthetic, but numbing cream is available if you would like it. It takes 10 to 20 minutes.
- Afterwards: Small raised bumps where the needle went in usually settle within half an hour. Stay upright for four hours and do not rub the treated areas for 24 hours. Most people go straight back to work.
- Two-week review: A follow-up once the effect has fully developed, so your nurse can see the actual result and adjust anything that needs it.
Cosmetic procedures carry risks. These are explained to you in full at your consultation, along with the aftercare involved, before you decide whether to proceed.
All treatments require a consultation with a qualified practitioner. Individual results vary. This page is general information only, not medical advice.
Results, downtime and aftercare
Timings below are typical and vary between people. Your nurse goes through yours at your consultation.
Onset
Nothing changes on the day. Lines start to soften at around 3 to 5 days, with the full effect at about 2 weeks.
How long it lasts
Usually 3 to 4 months. It varies with your metabolism, the area treated, the dose and how strongly you use those muscles.
Downtime
Usually none. Small bumps where the needle went in settle within 30 minutes. If you bruise, it is usually small.
Maintenance
Most patients come back every 3 to 4 months. For some, the gap gets longer over time as the treated muscles are used less.
For the first 24 hours
- Stay upright for at least four hours after treatment.
- Do not rub, massage or press on the treated areas.
- Skip strenuous exercise, saunas, hot yoga and sunbeds.
- Avoid facials, laser and any other treatment over the treated areas.
- Contact the clinic if you notice a drooping eyelid or brow, spreading redness, or anything that worries you.
Choose Your Clinic
Choose a clinic to see the team and book your consultation.
- Wrinkle Reduction Gold Coast. Practitioners: Charlie Ralph, Sherllesea.
- Wrinkle Reduction Melbourne. Practitioners: Cat.
New patients: a $35 doctor scripting fee applies. This covers the prescribing consultation required before any Schedule 4 treatment. It applies to new patients and anyone who has not visited in the past 12 months, and is included in the quote you receive.
Who will treat you
Charlie Ralph
Founder & Registered Nurse
AHPRA NMW0002241390. Founder and Clinical Director, based at the Gold Coast clinic.
Sherllesea
Registered Nurse
AHPRA NMW0002195471. Clinical background in emergency nursing, with formal training in cosmetic nursing procedures.
Dr Katie Duncan
Prescribing Doctor & Medical Director
AHPRA MED0002653304. Conducts telehealth consultations for patients at both clinics.
Cat
Registered Nurse
AHPRA NMW0002914224. Based at the Melbourne clinic, with clinical training in cosmetic procedures.
Common questions
How long do wrinkle-softening treatments last?
Usually 3 to 4 months, though it varies from person to person. Metabolism, lifestyle, the area treated and the dose all affect how long it lasts. Your nurse will give you a realistic range at your consultation.
Does it hurt?
Most patients feel a brief, mild sting. The needles are very fine and most people cope with it easily. Numbing cream can be applied first if you are worried. Tell your nurse at any point and they can pause.
When will I see results?
Not straight away. Lines usually start to soften within 3 to 5 days, with the full effect at around 2 weeks. That is why the review is at two weeks, once the result has finished developing.
Will my face look frozen?
That look comes from dose and placement. We treat conservatively at a first appointment and review you at two weeks. If you want to keep a certain amount of movement, say so at your consultation, because it changes how you are dosed.
Do I need a prescription?
Yes. Wrinkle-softening treatments are Schedule 4 prescription medications in Australia, so you need a consultation with a qualified prescribing doctor before treatment. We arrange this by telehealth. The one-off $35 scripting fee for new patients covers it.
Who is not suitable for treatment?
Treatment is generally not recommended during pregnancy or breastfeeding, or for people with certain neuromuscular conditions. Some medications also affect suitability. Your nurse and the prescribing doctor review your medical history and decide this at your consultation.
Can I have it on my lunch break?
The treatment takes 10 to 20 minutes and there is usually no downtime, so for a returning patient, yes. A first appointment takes longer because it includes the consultation and the prescribing doctor's telehealth appointment.
How soon can I have wrinkle-softening treatments before an event?
Allow at least two weeks. The effect takes that long to develop fully, and you may need a review. Tell your practitioner about any upcoming events before you book.
Risks and side effects
As with all cosmetic treatments, wrinkle-softening treatments carry risks. Common side effects include temporary redness, mild swelling and bruising at the treated areas, and a mild headache. Less commonly, temporary drooping of an eyelid or eyebrow can occur, which resolves as the effect wears off. All risks are discussed in full at your consultation.
- Not recommended during pregnancy or breastfeeding.
- Certain neuromuscular conditions and some medications make treatment unsuitable, which is why your medical history is reviewed first.
- The effect wears off. Lines go back to how they were as muscle movement returns.
- Results differ from person to person. A consultation assesses suitability. It does not promise that a treatment will suit you or that you will achieve a particular outcome.
Important health information
Required disclosure under AHPRA and TGA guidelines
Any surgical or invasive procedure carries risks. Before proceeding, you should seek a second opinion from an appropriately qualified health practitioner.
- All treatments require a consultation with a qualified practitioner. Individual results vary. This page is general information only, not medical advice.
- All cosmetic procedures carry potential risks, including bruising, swelling, infection, scarring and allergic reactions. Some risks may be serious or lasting.
- Results differ from person to person. A consultation assesses suitability. It does not promise that a treatment will suit you or that you will achieve a particular outcome.
- Schedule 4 medications are prescribed only after a formal consultation with one of our qualified prescribing doctors, in line with AHPRA and TGA requirements.
Start with a consultation
Book a Consultation or call 0483 988 863 (Gold Coast) or 0483 982 999 (Melbourne).
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