Question 1

What is a facial imaging skin assessment, and why do you start with one?

Accepted Answer

A facial imaging skin assessment uses imaging technology to look beneath the surface of your skin, revealing sun damage, pigmentation and vascular concerns that may not yet be visible to the eye. We start here so any plan is based on what your skin actually needs rather than a set menu.

Question 2

What happens at my first appointment?

Accepted Answer

The first visit is mostly talking. We go through your concerns and your skin history, take the facial imaging, and look at what the images show with you. You leave with a written plan covering what we suggest, in what order, and roughly how long it will take. You are not expected to book a treatment on the day.

Question 3

How should I prepare for my first visit?

Accepted Answer

Come without makeup if you can, so the imaging reads accurately. Bring a list of the skincare you use and anything prescribed, particularly retinoids or acne medication. Tell us if you have had recent sun exposure, because it changes what we can safely do.

Question 4

Do I need a referral to book?

Accepted Answer

You do not need a referral for a skin consultation. If we see something that warrants medical review, we will recommend you see your GP or a dermatologist.

Question 5

Do you treat men?

Accepted Answer

Yes. A steady share of our clients are men, most often for ingrown hair and folliculitis, scarring, pigmentation and electrolysis. The assessment process is the same.

Question 6

Is there a minimum age for treatment?

Accepted Answer

We treat younger clients, most often for acne and congestion, with a parent or guardian present for under 18s and consent given at booking. Some treatments are not suitable for younger skin, and we will say so at the assessment.

Question 7

What makes Skin Correctives different from a beauty salon?

Accepted Answer

We specialise in advanced skin treatments and electrolysis rather than general beauty services. We use diagnostic imaging, and we plan treatment as a sequence rather than one appointment at a time. We are an award-winning, ACAP SafeSkin certified clinic, and we would rather explain what may not help you than sell it to you.

Question 8

What skin treatments do you offer?

Accepted Answer

We offer a full range of advanced skin treatments, including customised facials and peels, IPL and LED light therapy, Venus Viva radio frequency, Ultraformer III HIFU, skin needling, and hair removal and electrolysis. Your assessment guides which options typically suit your concerns.

Question 9

What is the difference between a facial and a peel?

Accepted Answer

A facial cleanses, treats and supports the skin using targeted products and techniques. A peel uses controlled actives to encourage resurfacing, which may help improve the appearance of texture, congestion and dullness. We tailor the actives and depth to your skin on the day.

Question 10

What is IPL, and what may it help with?

Accepted Answer

IPL, or intense pulsed light, delivers light energy into the skin. It may help improve the appearance of pigmentation, redness and sun damage across a planned series of sessions. We assess your skin first to confirm whether it typically suits you.

Question 11

What does LED light therapy do?

Accepted Answer

LED light therapy uses specific wavelengths of light to support the skin. It is often used alongside other treatments and may help support a calmer, clearer-looking complexion over a course of sessions. We use it in both acne and rejuvenation programs.

Question 12

What is Venus Viva radio frequency used for?

Accepted Answer

Venus Viva uses radio frequency energy for resurfacing and skin tightening. NanoFractional RF resurfacing may help improve the appearance of texture and fine lines, while multipolar RF skin tightening focuses on firmness. We explain what to typically expect before you begin.

Question 13

What is Ultraformer III HIFU?

Accepted Answer

Ultraformer III is a high intensity focused ultrasound treatment that targets the deeper layers of the skin. It may help support lifting, firming and overall skin quality. Results build gradually and individual results may vary.

Question 14

What is skin needling, and how does it work?

Accepted Answer

Skin needling creates fine, controlled micro-channels in the skin to support its natural collagen response. It may help improve the appearance of scarring, uneven texture and fine lines over a planned course of sessions.

Question 15

What is the difference between microneedling, deep needling and Pro-Stamp ECIT?

Accepted Answer

They work at different depths. Microneedling works in the upper layers with minimal downtime, deep needling reaches the deep dermis where established scarring sits, and Pro-Stamp ECIT adds electro collagen stimulation for dense, tight tissue. We compare all three in this guide.

Question 16

Which treatment is right for pigmentation?

Accepted Answer

Several treatments, including IPL and advanced peels, may help improve the appearance of pigmentation and sun damage. The right approach depends on the type and depth of pigmentation, which your facial imaging skin assessment helps identify.

Question 17

Which treatments may help with the appearance of ageing skin?

Accepted Answer

For concerns such as firmness, fine lines and texture, treatments including Venus Viva radio frequency, Ultraformer III HIFU and skin needling may help. We build a plan around your skin and explain the realistic outcome before you commit.

Question 18

Can you help with congested or breakout-prone skin?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Customised facials, peels and LED may help improve the appearance of congestion and breakout-prone skin over time. Where a concern appears medical, we recommend you see your GP or a dermatologist.

Question 19

Can you help with the appearance of scarring?

Accepted Answer

Skin needling and certain resurfacing treatments may help improve the appearance of some types of scarring and uneven texture. Your assessment guides the most suitable sequence, and individual results may vary. For acne scarring specifically, this guide explains which treatment typically suits which scar type.

Question 20

Can you help with redness or reactive skin?

Accepted Answer

We tailor treatments for reactive skin and may help reduce the appearance of redness over a course of care. Where rosacea is suspected, we recommend confirming a diagnosis with your GP or dermatologist first.

Question 21

Do you treat stretch marks?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Stretch marks are scars in the dermis, so treatments that reach that depth are the ones with a real mechanism: skin needling and NanoFractional RF resurfacing. No treatment erases them, and this honest guide sets out what softening and blending realistically looks like.

Question 22

Do you remove skin tags, cherry spots and other lesions?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Clinical Skin Clear treats skin tags, cherry spots, sebaceous hyperplasia and similar benign lesions. We do not diagnose. Anything that has changed in size, shape or colour should be checked by your GP or a dermatologist before we treat it.

Question 23

What is electrolysis, and is it permanent?

Accepted Answer

Electrolysis treats each hair follicle individually and is recognised for permanent hair removal on all hair and skin types. It suits fine, hormonal or stubborn hair and areas where other methods fall short. Most people need a course of sessions.

Question 24

How is electrolysis different from IPL hair removal?

Accepted Answer

Electrolysis treats one follicle at a time and works on all hair and skin types, including fine or light hair. IPL hair removal treats larger areas and works best on certain hair and skin combinations. During your hair removal consultation we will discuss which typically suits you.

Question 25

Does electrolysis work on grey, blonde or red hair?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Light-based hair removal needs pigment in the hair to work, so grey, blonde and red hair typically do not respond to it. Electrolysis treats the follicle itself rather than the pigment, so hair colour makes no difference.

Question 26

Is electrolysis comfortable?

Accepted Answer

Most people describe a brief warm sensation as each follicle is treated. How it feels depends on the area and on your own sensitivity, and we adjust the settings and the pace to suit. If you would rather test it first, we can start with a short session.

Question 27

How long is a session, and how many will I need?

Accepted Answer

We book electrolysis by time rather than by area, so sessions are typically short. How many you need depends on how large the area is and where the hair sits in its growth cycle. Hormonal hair usually needs a longer course. We give you a realistic estimate at your consultation.

Question 28

Can electrolysis treat hormonal or facial hair?

Accepted Answer

Yes, and it is one of the most common reasons people come to us. Because hormonal hair keeps being stimulated, it typically needs an ongoing course rather than a fixed number of sessions. Where an underlying hormonal cause is suspected, we recommend seeing your GP alongside treatment.

Question 29

How should I prepare for a treatment?

Accepted Answer

Avoid active sun exposure and fake tan in the days beforehand, and pause retinoids or strong exfoliating actives if we have asked you to. Come with clean skin where possible. We confirm the specifics for your treatment when you book, because preparation differs.

Question 30

What should I avoid before IPL or hair removal?

Accepted Answer

Do not wax, pluck or thread the area beforehand, because light-based hair removal needs the hair root in place. Shaving is fine. Avoid sun exposure and fake tan, as treated skin needs to be at its natural tone for the treatment to be safe and effective.

Question 31

Is there downtime after treatments?

Accepted Answer

Downtime depends on the treatment. Some options have little to no downtime, while resurfacing and needling may involve short-lived redness or sensitivity. We explain what to typically expect and provide aftercare guidance.

Question 32

Can I wear makeup after a treatment?

Accepted Answer

It depends on the treatment. After a gentle facial you can usually put makeup on the same day. After needling or resurfacing we ask you to leave the skin bare while it recovers, and we tell you exactly how long on the day.

Question 33

What aftercare do you recommend?

Accepted Answer

Aftercare depends on the treatment, and we go through yours before you leave. In general it means cleansing gently, wearing SPF daily, pausing strong actives while the skin settles, and leaving any flaking alone. It affects the result more than most people expect.

Question 34

Are your treatments suitable for sensitive skin?

Accepted Answer

Many are. We adjust the actives and intensity to what your skin can support and build tolerance gradually. Your facial imaging skin assessment helps us choose options that typically suit sensitive or reactive skin.

Question 35

Are treatments suitable during pregnancy or breastfeeding?

Accepted Answer

Some treatments are not recommended during pregnancy or breastfeeding. Please let us know at booking, and we will advise which options are suitable and adjust your plan accordingly.

Question 36

How many sessions will I need?

Accepted Answer

This depends on your skin and your goals. Many advanced skin treatments work best as a planned course rather than a single session. We give you a realistic idea of the number of sessions at your assessment.

Question 37

When will I see results?

Accepted Answer

Timeframes vary by treatment and by individual. Some changes may be noticeable early, while treatments that support collagen typically develop over several weeks. Individual results may vary.

Question 38

Do you offer treatment plans rather than one-off treatments?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Because advanced skin treatments often work best as a planned course, we build a personalised plan at your assessment so each step supports the next.

Question 39

How much do treatments cost?

Accepted Answer

Current pricing for every treatment is on our price list. Because most plans combine treatments over time, we set out the full cost of your recommended course in writing at your assessment.

Question 40

Do you offer Afterpay?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Afterpay is available in clinic, and this page explains how it works and how to set it up before your visit.

Question 41

Do you sell gift vouchers?

Accepted Answer

Yes. You can buy a gift voucher for any value or for a specific treatment. They work well when you are not sure what would suit someone.

Question 42

Do I need to pay a deposit?

Accepted Answer

Some appointments require a deposit to secure the booking, which comes off the cost of your treatment. Our booking and cancellation policy sets out when a deposit applies.

Question 43

What if I need to reschedule or cancel?

Accepted Answer

We ask for notice so the appointment can be offered to someone else. The required notice period and what happens to a deposit are set out in our booking and cancellation policy.

Question 44

How do I book, and where are you located?

Accepted Answer

You can call the clinic on (02) 4297 7455 or book online. We are at Unit 8B, Level 1, Cygnet Centre, 75 Cygnet Ave, Shellharbour NSW 2529, with parking on site.

Question 45

Which areas do you serve?

Accepted Answer

The clinic is in Shellharbour and clients travel to us from across the Illawarra, including Wollongong, Kiama, Albion Park, Warilla, Shell Cove, Oak Flats, Dapto, Flinders, Barrack Heights and Lake Illawarra. See locations we serve for details.

Frequently Asked Questions

Getting Started

Your Skin Concerns

Our Treatments

Electrolysis and Hair Removal

Before and After Your Treatment​

Results and Timelines

Booking, Pricing and Policies

READY TO TALK ABOUT

Your Skin?

Before and After Your Treatment