An anti-wrinkle consultation at Core Aesthetics in Oakleigh is a structured clinical assessment of your facial movement patterns, muscle anatomy and the lines you are concerned about. The practitioner distinguishes between dynamic lines (caused by muscle movement) and static lines (present at rest), assesses which muscles are relevant to your goals, discusses what treatment can and cannot address, and explains what the procedure involves. Treatment only proceeds when there is a clear clinical rationale and informed consent has been provided.
Why a Thorough Consultation Matters for Anti-Wrinkle Treatment
Anti-wrinkle injections are among the most commonly performed nonsurgical cosmetic procedures, and they are often perceived as straightforward. The actual clinical picture is more nuanced. The facial muscles involved in expression vary considerably between individuals, in size, strength, depth and the patterns in which they contract. A treatment approach designed for one patient may produce a very different result on another patient with different anatomy, even if the concern being addressed appears similar.
A consultation gives the practitioner the opportunity to observe your facial movement in person, assess the muscles relevant to your goals, and develop a treatment plan that accounts for your specific anatomy rather than applying a generic approach. It is also the appropriate time to discuss what you are hoping to achieve and to ensure those expectations are realistic, anti-wrinkle injections are effective at reducing the appearance of expression lines, but they do not address all types of lines or all aspects of facial ageing.
Patients who receive a thorough consultation before treatment tend to have a clearer understanding of what to expect, fewer surprises during recovery, and outcomes that more closely reflect their goals. Patients who proceed to treatment without adequate assessment are more likely to encounter results they did not anticipate, whether because the approach did not suit their anatomy, or because the goals were not explored clearly enough at the outset.
What Happens During an Anti-Wrinkle Consultation
The consultation begins with an open conversation about what has brought you in. Are you looking to address specific lines that bother you? Are you interested in a preventative approach? Have you had treatment before and are looking to refine your results, or are you exploring treatment for the first time? The practitioner listens carefully before making any assessment, because understanding your starting point and your goals frames everything that follows.
The practitioner then observes your facial movement, asking you to raise your eyebrows, frown, squint, and make various expressions, to assess which muscles are active, how strongly they contract, how the overlying skin responds, and what pattern of lines results. This dynamic assessment is essential for planning treatment accurately. What is visible when your face is at rest tells only part of the story; how your muscles move tells the rest.
After assessing your movement, the practitioner examines your face at rest to assess lines that are present when the muscles are not active (static lines), the overall quality and condition of your skin, and how your facial proportions relate to your treatment goals. They then explain their findings and their clinical recommendations, discuss what the treatment involves, and address any questions you have. At the end of the consultation, you have a clear understanding of whether treatment is appropriate, what it would involve, and what realistic expectations look like.
Understanding Expression Lines and Structural Lines
One of the most important distinctions in any anti-wrinkle consultation is the difference between dynamic lines and static lines. This distinction directly influences what treatment can and cannot achieve, and it is a conversation that should happen clearly before any treatment is considered.
Dynamic lines are lines that appear when a muscle contracts, the horizontal forehead lines that form when you raise your eyebrows, the frown lines between the brows that appear when you furrow, the crow’s feet at the outer corners of the eyes that form when you smile or squint. These lines are primarily caused by the underlying muscle activity, and anti-wrinkle injections, which temporarily reduce the strength of muscle contraction in the treated area, are well-suited to address them.
Static lines are lines that are present at rest, when the facial muscles are not actively contracting. These lines have developed over time as a result of repeated folding of the skin, volume loss, and changes in skin structure and elasticity. Anti-wrinkle injections can slow the deepening of static lines over time by reducing the muscle activity that contributes to them, but they do not erase lines that are already established at rest. Understanding this distinction helps patients approach treatment with realistic expectations and avoids disappointment when results do not fully eliminate lines that were never caused by muscle movement alone.
The Muscles Involved in Anti-Wrinkle Treatment
Anti-wrinkle injections work by temporarily reducing the contractile activity of specific facial muscles. The muscles targeted depend on the areas of concern and the individual’s anatomy. Understanding which muscles are relevant to your goals, and how those muscles interact with surrounding structures, is part of what the consultation assesses.
The frontalis muscle runs across the forehead and is responsible for raising the eyebrows and creating horizontal forehead lines. Treatment here reduces forehead line formation, but the degree and distribution of treatment must account for how this muscle interacts with the brow position. Reducing frontalis activity without appropriate consideration of brow dynamics can cause the brow to drop, an outcome that requires careful planning to avoid.
The corrugator supercilii and procerus muscles between the brows create the vertical and horizontal lines associated with frowning. These muscles are among the most commonly treated and respond reliably to treatment. The orbicularis oculi muscle around the eye contributes to crow’s feet lines and is treated in the outer portion of the eye for this purpose. Other muscles, including those that contribute to bunny lines on the nose, brow asymmetry, chin texture, and the downward pull at the corners of the mouth, may also be relevant depending on individual goals. The consultation maps this out for each patient individually.
Discussing Appropriate Treatment Strength and Pattern
One of the most nuanced conversations in an anti-wrinkle consultation is about treatment strength, specifically, how much muscle activity to retain versus reduce. This is a clinical decision that depends on individual anatomy, but it is also influenced by patient preference and what kind of result the patient is hoping for.
A more complete reduction of muscle activity in a treated area produces a more pronounced reduction of the associated lines. It also means less natural expression movement in that area during the treatment period. A more conservative reduction preserves more natural movement while still reducing the prominence of lines. Neither approach is universally better, the appropriate balance depends on the individual’s anatomy, the strength of their muscles, what they are hoping to achieve, and their preference for natural movement versus more visible line reduction.
The consultation is the appropriate time to discuss this balance. Patients who want to maintain natural expressiveness while reducing the prominence of certain lines may benefit from a conservative approach. Patients whose strong muscle activity has produced deep lines over time may need a more complete reduction to achieve a meaningful result. The practitioner explains the options, the rationale for their recommendation, and what different approaches are likely to produce, so that the decision is informed and collaborative.
Preventative Anti-Wrinkle Treatment: What the Consultation Covers
A significant proportion of patients who enquire about anti-wrinkle injections are interested in a preventative approach, beginning treatment before lines become deeply established, with the goal of slowing their development over time. The consultation for a patient with this goal covers the same clinical assessment but also involves a more detailed discussion about what preventative treatment involves and what it can realistically achieve.
The evidence for preventative anti-wrinkle treatment rests on a reasonable clinical principle: reducing the frequency and strength of repetitive muscle contraction over time reduces the cumulative folding of the overlying skin, which is one of the factors that contributes to line deepening. Patients who begin treatment early and maintain a consistent approach over years may find that the lines they would have developed remain less prominent than they otherwise would have been. This is a plausible long-term benefit, but it is also one that is difficult to measure directly, you cannot easily observe the lines that did not develop.
Preventative treatment is generally best suited to patients in their mid-to-late twenties or early thirties who have strong expressive muscles and notice prominent dynamic lines when they express. It is not necessarily appropriate for every patient of that age, and the consultation is where this individual assessment takes place. Treatment frequency and approach for a preventative patient may differ from a patient treating established lines, and the practitioner explains these distinctions clearly.
Suitability Assessment: Who Anti-Wrinkle Treatment Is and Is Not Appropriate For
The consultation includes a structured suitability assessment, a clinical review of factors that influence whether treatment is safe, appropriate and likely to produce a satisfactory outcome for a particular patient at a particular time.
Anti-wrinkle treatment is generally appropriate for adults aged 18 and over who have dynamic expression lines they want to address, who are not pregnant or breastfeeding, and who have no relevant medical history that would contraindicate the procedure. Patients with certain neuromuscular conditions, such as myasthenia gravis or Eaton-Lambert syndrome, are not suitable candidates, as treatment in these cases carries significant clinical risk. Patients taking certain medications, particularly those that affect neuromuscular transmission, require careful assessment before treatment can be considered.
The suitability assessment also includes a discussion about expectations. Patients who expect treatment to eliminate all lines, including deeply established static lines, may not achieve the result they are hoping for with anti-wrinkle injections alone. Patients who expect to look completely expressionless during the treatment period are also likely to be surprised, since appropriately dosed treatment preserves natural expression movement while reducing the prominence of targeted lines. Ensuring expectations are realistic before treatment is an important part of the suitability assessment and the consultation process overall.
AHPRA Requirements and What They Mean for Your Consultation
Under AHPRA’s September 2025 guidelines for registered health practitioners who perform nonsurgical cosmetic procedures, a formal consultation before any treatment is a regulatory requirement. This requirement applies to all registered practitioners performing anti-wrinkle injections, including Registered Nurses, regardless of the apparent simplicity of the procedure or the patient’s prior treatment history.
The consultation requirement is not a formality, it reflects the regulatory recognition that nonsurgical cosmetic procedures carry real clinical risks that can only be managed appropriately when the practitioner has a thorough understanding of the patient. A consultation that is rushed, superficial or conducted without a genuine clinical assessment does not meet the standard of care that patients are entitled to expect.
At Core Aesthetics, the consultation-first approach reflects both the regulatory requirement and the clinical values that underpin how the clinic operates. Corey Anderson conducts all consultations personally, takes the time required to conduct a proper assessment, and does not proceed to treatment until there is a clear clinical rationale and informed consent has been obtained. This is the appropriate standard, and it is the standard applied to every patient regardless of how experienced they are with treatment or how clear their goals appear.
The Treatment Process: What to Expect
If treatment proceeds following the consultation, the procedure itself is typically brief. The treatment area is assessed again immediately before the procedure to confirm placement points. The injections are made using a very fine needle, and most patients describe the sensation as a mild pinch at each point. A topical anaesthetic cream can be applied beforehand for patients who prefer it, though many find it unnecessary for anti-wrinkle treatment in most areas.
The number of injection points varies depending on the areas being treated and the individual’s anatomy. A typical forehead and frown line treatment may involve somewhere between eight and sixteen injection points across the relevant muscles, though this varies. The procedure itself takes between ten and twenty minutes for most patients.
After treatment, there may be small, temporary bumps at injection points that resolve within an hour or two. Mild redness or tenderness in the treated area is possible and typically resolves quickly. The effect of anti-wrinkle injections does not appear immediately, it takes between three and fourteen days for the full reduction in muscle activity to become apparent. The final result is best assessed at the two-week mark, which is also when the review appointment is typically scheduled.
What to Expect After Treatment: Onset and Recovery
The recovery period following anti-wrinkle injections is generally straightforward. There is no significant downtime, most patients return to normal daily activities immediately after the procedure. The main aftercare instructions in the first few hours relate to avoiding activities that might spread the product from its intended location: avoiding lying face-down, avoiding vigorous exercise, and avoiding applying significant pressure to the treated area for the remainder of the day.
As noted, the effect appears gradually over the first one to two weeks. Some patients notice early signs of muscle relaxation within two to three days; others find the full effect takes closer to ten to fourteen days to become apparent. This variability is normal and related to individual differences in how quickly the product takes effect on different muscle types. Assessing the result before the two-week mark tends to be premature.
The review appointment at two weeks is an important part of the treatment process. It gives the practitioner the opportunity to assess whether the desired level of muscle relaxation has been achieved and whether any areas would benefit from a small adjustment. It also gives the patient the opportunity to discuss their experience of the treatment period and ask questions about what to expect going forward. Attending the review is encouraged, even when the patient is happy with their result.
Duration and Planning Your Next Treatment
The duration of anti-wrinkle treatment varies between individuals and depends on the dose administered, the individual’s rate of metabolism, the strength of the treated muscles and whether the patient has a history of regular treatment. For most patients, the effect lasts between three and five months before muscle activity gradually returns and a top-up is considered. With regular treatment over time, some patients find that the duration between treatments gradually extends as the muscles adapt to reduced activity.
The review appointment is the appropriate time to begin discussing timing for the next treatment cycle. The practitioner can help you understand what to expect based on your individual response and advise when to book your next appointment. Treatment that is scheduled too early, before the previous dose has fully metabolised, is unlikely to produce better results and may not be clinically appropriate. Treatment scheduled at an appropriate interval, based on clinical assessment rather than a fixed calendar schedule, tends to produce more consistent long-term outcomes.
Long-term planning, understanding your treatment history, your response to treatment, and how your goals may evolve over time, is part of the ongoing clinical relationship at Core Aesthetics. The consultation is the beginning of that relationship, not a one-time interaction.
About Core Aesthetics and Corey Anderson
Core Aesthetics is an injectable-specialist clinic in Oakleigh, Melbourne’s south-east, operated by Corey Anderson, Registered Nurse (AHPRA NMW0001047575, registered January 1996). With over two decades of nursing experience, Corey performs all consultations and treatments personally. The clinic operates on a single-practitioner, low-volume model that prioritises thorough assessment and unhurried, considered treatment over high patient throughput.
The clinic does not use promotional pricing, package deals or time-limited offers. Treatment recommendations are based on clinical assessment, not commercial incentives. The C.O.R.E. Method, Consult, Organise, Refine, Evaluate, reflects the structured approach applied to every patient: beginning with a thorough assessment, organising a treatment plan that accounts for individual anatomy and goals, refining results through the review process, and evaluating outcomes before planning the next stage of treatment.
All content on the Core Aesthetics website is written and reviewed by Corey Anderson and is designed to provide accurate, compliance-reviewed information about what treatment involves, what it can achieve, and how patients can make informed decisions. AHPRA registration and clinical credentials are publicly verifiable and are part of the clinical accountability that underpins the clinic’s approach to care.
Booking a Consultation in Melbourne’s South-East
Consultations at Core Aesthetics are booked online. The booking process takes a few minutes, you select a convenient time and the clinic will confirm your appointment. There is no obligation to proceed with treatment following the consultation, and the appointment is an opportunity to have a thorough clinical conversation and make an informed decision.
The clinic is located at 12A Atherton Road, Oakleigh VIC 3166, and is accessible from across Melbourne’s south-east, including from Carnegie, Murrumbeena, Bentleigh, Glen Waverley, Mount Waverley, Clayton, Cheltenham, Highett and surrounding areas. If you have questions before booking, for example, about whether the clinic is suitable for your situation or whether you have relevant medical history that should be discussed first, you can contact the clinic by email at support@coreaesthetics.com.au.
Whether you are exploring anti-wrinkle treatment for the first time, returning for a top-up with a new practitioner, or seeking a second opinion on previous treatment, the consultation is the appropriate starting point. It is unhurried, clinically focused, and designed to give you the information you need to make a decision that is right for you.
Is this for you?
Consider booking a consultation if
- Adults aged 18 and over who have dynamic expression lines they want to reduce through a thorough, assessment-first approach
- Patients exploring anti-wrinkle treatment for the first time who want a clear clinical explanation of what the procedure involves
- Those considering a preventative approach who want to understand whether treatment is appropriate for their anatomy and stage
- Patients who have had anti-wrinkle treatment elsewhere and want a second opinion or a more considered clinical approach
- Anyone who wants to understand the clinical rationale for their treatment before any injections are administered
This may not be for you if
- Anyone under 18 years of age
- Patients who are pregnant or breastfeeding
- Anyone with a neuromuscular condition such as myasthenia gravis or Eaton-Lambert syndrome, these conditions are absolute contraindications to treatment
- Patients taking medications that significantly affect neuromuscular transmission, medical clearance from a treating physician may be required before treatment can be considered
- Anyone seeking same-day treatment without a prior consultation, a formal consultation is a regulatory requirement before any treatment proceeds
Suitability is confirmed at consultation. This list is general guidance, not a substitute for clinical assessment.
Frequently asked questions
Is a consultation required before anti-wrinkle injections?
Yes. Under AHPRA’s September 2025 guidelines for registered health practitioners who perform nonsurgical cosmetic procedures, a formal consultation before any treatment is a regulatory requirement. At Core Aesthetics, the consultation is also a genuine clinical assessment, the practitioner observes your facial movement, assesses your muscle anatomy, discusses your goals and explains what the procedure involves before any treatment is recommended.
How is an anti-wrinkle consultation different from just booking treatment?
The consultation involves a structured assessment of your facial movement patterns, the muscles relevant to your goals, and the type of lines you are concerned about. The practitioner distinguishes between dynamic lines (caused by muscle activity) and static lines (present at rest), and explains what treatment can and cannot address for your specific anatomy. The consultation is a clinical process, not a formality before treatment, and it directly informs what approach is recommended, if any.
What is the difference between dynamic lines and static lines?
Dynamic lines appear when a muscle contracts, forehead lines when you raise your eyebrows, frown lines when you furrow, crow’s feet when you squint. These are caused by muscle activity and respond well to anti-wrinkle treatment. Static lines are present at rest, when the muscles are not contracting. They have developed over time from repeated folding of the skin, volume loss and changes in skin structure. Anti-wrinkle injections can slow the deepening of static lines by reducing the muscle activity that contributes to them, but they do not eliminate established static lines. This distinction is explained clearly during the consultation.
Can anti-wrinkle injections make me look expressionless?
Appropriate dosing preserves natural expression movement while reducing the prominence of targeted lines. An expressionless appearance results from over-treatment, using a volume of product that eliminates muscle activity in an area rather than moderating it. The consultation addresses this directly: the practitioner explains the balance between line reduction and preserved movement and recommends an approach that suits your anatomy and your goals. Patients who have experienced an over-treated result elsewhere are welcome to discuss this at the consultation.
When will I see results after anti-wrinkle treatment?
The effect appears gradually over three to fourteen days. Some patients notice early changes within two to three days; others find the full result takes closer to two weeks to become apparent. Assessing the outcome before the two-week mark is premature. A review appointment is scheduled at approximately two weeks after treatment so the practitioner can assess the result and discuss any refinements.
How long do anti-wrinkle injections last?
For most patients, the effect lasts between three and five months before muscle activity gradually returns. Duration varies between individuals based on metabolism, the strength of the treated muscles, the dose administered and treatment history. With consistent treatment over time, some patients find the duration gradually extends. The review appointment is an appropriate time to discuss timing for the next treatment cycle based on your individual response.
Is preventative anti-wrinkle treatment appropriate for me?
This depends on your age, your muscle activity, the lines you are developing and your goals. Preventative treatment is generally most relevant for patients in their mid-to-late twenties or early thirties with strong expressive muscles and prominent dynamic lines that they want to address before they become deeply established. The consultation is where this individual assessment takes place, there is no blanket recommendation that applies to all patients of a particular age.
What if I have had a bad result from anti-wrinkle treatment elsewhere?
Patients who have had a previous result they were unhappy with are welcome to book a consultation. The practitioner will ask about what was treated, what approach was taken, and what you experienced, this helps inform the clinical assessment and the discussion about what a different approach might look like. Understanding what happened previously is part of providing appropriate care going forward.