What happens during a skin consultation – and why it’s an important part of any skincare journey

Whether you’re looking to improve a specific skin concern such as acne or pigmentation or would just like to start incorporating the right skincare into your routine to prevent signs of ageing in the future, a Skin Health Assessment is the ideal starting point to any skincare journey. It will give you the tools to make an informed decision under the guidance of a trained professional regarding the health of your skin and the appropriate steps to take with both skincare products and potential treatments. If you’re considering changing up your skincare routine, you may be wondering what happens during a skin consultation.

Why is a consultation so important?

With so many advanced treatments and cosmeceutical products available, your first instinct may be to do a little research and shop for products online. However, as quality skincare often requires an investment of both time and money, it’s best to seek the advice of a qualified professional first before making any decisions.

A comprehensive skin consultation will enable your practitioner to gain a deeper understanding of your skin. In turn, they’ll be able to recommend skincare that is both safe and effective. By skipping this vital step, your skin may enjoy a pampering, but it can be difficult to see real results.

What should I expect?

A professional skin consultation should be at least half an hour-long, and your practitioner should be aware of any concerns you have, as well as your medical history before the consultation. Often clinics will charge a modest fee for a professional consultation, redeemable in products or treatments, making it well worth the investment.

At Illuminate Skin Clinic, our skin assessments are one hour long and consist of an evaluation of your concerns, a full skin analysis in the Observ imaging device as well as an LED light therapy treatment.

During the consultation

During a consultation at any new clinic, your practitioner should make you feel comfortable and at ease, allowing you to be confident in their ability to determine your requirements. Throughout your consultation, your therapist will discuss your concerns, giving you the chance to communicate your expectations.

We use the Observ Skin Analysis device to assess the deeper layers of the skin and identify conditions that are difficult to diagnose with the human eye. The Observ works by exposing the skin to patented fluorescence and polarised light illumination technology which enables your practitioner to uncover a variety of skin issues and conditions including rosacea, hyperpigmentation and dehydration. With this information, a treatment plan is then formulated for your individual requirements, and your practitioner will explain what results you can realistically expect to see.

Your practitioner will finish your skin consultation with a bespoke mini-LED treatment to either stimulate collagen production and generate new skin cells, kill acne-causing bacteria or a combination of both. This is a gentle introduction to our treatment experience if you’re new to the clinic or have never had a medical facial before.

Your practitioner should review your skin and how you’re feeling about your results with every return visit.

Begin with the end in mind

It’s never just about skincare, but it is an excellent place to start. For healthy, rejuvenated skin, a combination of both products and treatments such as skin peels, microneedling or the HydraFacial may be recommended.

Never underestimate the importance of a consultation with a skincare professional. A thorough skin consultation will leave you feeling educated about your skin health and confident in your product choices, knowing that what you’re using is making a difference and targeting skin issues both inside and out for a healthy, radiant complexion.

Click here to book a skin health assessment at Illuminate Skin Clinic and start making more informed decisions about the health of your skin.