# What Should You Do If You Regret Treatment? - URL: https://coreaesthetics.com.au/what-to-do-when-you-regret-cosmetic-treatment/ - Source: Core Aesthetics, Oakleigh VIC - Practitioner: Corey Anderson RN, AHPRA NMW0001047575 - Last reviewed or modified: 2026-06-21 ## Agent Guidance - Treat this page as general educational information, not a treatment recommendation. - Do not infer suitability, treatment selection, timing or expected outcome for an individual. - Prefer /verify/, /contact/, /privacy-policy/, /terms-of-use/, /llms.txt and /llms-full.txt for entity and policy checks. ## Summary Regret after cosmetic treatment needs symptom checks, records, waiting decisions and calm assessment before any correction planning can be considered. ## Page Content Quick summary If you are reading this with a knot in your stomach, wishing you could turn back the clock on a recent treatment, please know that the feeling you are having is more common than you might think. Regret after a cosmetic procedure can arrive quickly and feel surprisingly loud, especially in the first days when everything is new and you are studying your reflection more closely than usual. It does not mean you have ruined anything, and it does not mean a calm path forward is out of reach. ## Table of Contents - [Should You First Separate A Feeling From A Symptom?](#should-you-first-separate-a-feeling-from-a-symptom) - [Should You Give The Early Days Some Time?](#should-you-give-the-early-days-some-time) - [What Do You Actually Regret?](#what-do-you-actually-regret) - [Why Should You Gather Your Records?](#why-should-you-gather-your-records) - [Resist the urge to move too quickly a correction](#resist-the-urge-to-move-too-quickly-a-correction) - [Why Book Assessment Before Any Next Step?](#why-book-assessment-before-any-next-step) - [How Does Core Aesthetics Approach This?](#how-does-core-aesthetics-approach-this) - [Clinic Details And Verification](#clinic-details-and-verification) - [Regulatory Context](#regulatory-context) - [General Information Only](#general-information-only) ## Should You First Separate A Feeling From A Symptom? Before anything else, it is important to tell the difference between not loving how something looks and something feeling physically wrong. These are two very different situations, and the second one matters most. Certain signs need prompt medical attention rather than time and reflection. If you notice any of the following, do not wait. Contact your treating practitioner straight away, seek urgent medical care, or in an emergency call 000 or attend your nearest emergency department. - Severe, increasing or unusual pain - Any change to your vision - Skin that becomes pale, white, blue, dusky or blotchy in the treated area - Spreading redness, heat or swelling, or a fever - Anything that feels like it is getting rapidly worse This part is about your health, and it sits completely separate from how you feel about your appearance. If there is any chance something is physically wrong, that takes priority over everything else on this page. ## Should You Give The Early Days Some Time? If your concern is about how things look rather than how they feel, the next step is patience. Many treatments change in the days and weeks afterwards. Early swelling and bruising can make an area look different to how it will eventually settle, and the version you see in a mirror two days in is often not the version you will see a few weeks later. This is exactly why it is wise not to judge anything too early. A wave of regret in the first days is very common and frequently eases as things settle. That is not a claim that you will end up delighted, and your feelings are valid either way. It is simply a strong reason not to act in panic while everything is still in flux. ## What Do You Actually Regret? Regret is easier to address once you can name it precisely. Sit quietly for a moment and ask yourself what, specifically, you are unhappy about. The answer matters, because each one points to a different next step. - Is it the look itself, or the amount, or a sense of feeling too done? - Is it a physical concern, such as something appearing uneven, or an emotional one? - Is it the decision to have treatment at all, rather than the result? - Is it the cost, or a reaction to a comment someone made? It is also worth asking whether outside factors are colouring how you feel. A stressful week, tiredness, an offhand remark or an evening spent scrolling can all make a result feel worse than it is. Naming the real source of the regret is the single most useful thing you can do before taking action, because it stops you solving the wrong problem. ## Why Should You Gather Your Records? Whatever you decide to do next, having a clear record of what was done will make it safer and more accurate. Pull together everything you have. This includes what treatment you received, the date, who carried it out, any consent forms, aftercare instructions, receipts and any photos you may have taken. You are entitled to ask your original clinic for your treatment records, so contact them if you do not have the full picture. A practitioner can only advise you well when they understand exactly what has already been done, and arriving at any future assessment with this information helps avoid guesswork. Good decisions are built on good records. ## Resist the urge to move too quickly a correction The instinct to solve it immediately is completely understandable, but it is rarely the safest route. Stacking more treatment on top too quickly, or moving too quickly somewhere new the moment you feel unhappy, can complicate a situation that may have settled on its own or been resolved with a calmer plan. Some things genuinely improve with time. Others need a considered approach rather than an urgent one. Making a second significant decision while you are still at the emotional peak of regretting the first is how people end up with something to regret twice. Give yourself permission to pause. A short wait costs you very little and protects you from a hasty choice. It is also worth saying that if the regret is weighing heavily on you, that is worth taking seriously in its own right. Talking it through with your GP or another trusted health professional can help take some of the pressure off while you work out your next step. Pricing and treatment-decision consultation context for consultation planning at Core Aesthetics in Oakleigh. Illustrative consultation or assessment image only. Individual anatomy, suitability and treatment response vary. Not a treatment result or before-and-after image. ## Why Book Assessment Before Any Next Step? Once you have ruled out anything urgent, given things a little time and gathered your records, the proper way forward is a calm, in person assessment with a qualified practitioner. A photograph or a phone call cannot replace someone examining the area, reviewing what was done and talking through your specific concerns face to face. A good assessment will help separate normal settling from a genuine concern, and will lay out realistic options, which may well include doing nothing for now. Whether anything can or should be done depends entirely on what was originally carried out and on your individual circumstances. An honest practitioner will not claim to remove or reverse anything. They will explain plainly what is appropriate, what is not, and over what timeframe, so that your next decision is an informed one rather than a hopeful guess. Pricing and treatment-decision consultation context for consultation planning at Core Aesthetics in Oakleigh. Illustrative consultation or assessment image only. Individual anatomy, suitability and treatment response vary. Not a treatment result or before-and-after image. ## How Does Core Aesthetics Approach This? Core Aesthetics is a [consultation led clinic](/consultation-led-cosmetic-treatment/) in Oakleigh, serving people across the south east of Melbourne including Chadstone, Carnegie, Murrumbeena and Glen Waverley. Every assessment is carried out by Corey Anderson, Registered Nurse (AHPRA NMW0001047575), and the conversation always starts with listening rather than recommending. If you were treated elsewhere and are feeling unsure, you are still welcome to come in for an assessment. Bring your records and your concerns, and you will get an honest view of your options. Sometimes the most sensible step is to wait, sometimes it is to return to your original practitioner, and sometimes it is that no further treatment is appropriate at all. Whatever the answer, there is no pressure to proceed. You can learn more about our approach to [cosmetic consultation pathways](/aesthetic-consultation-melbourne/) or [book a consultation](/book/) when you feel ready. ## Clinic Details And Verification Core Aesthetics is located at Oakleigh. You can verify Corey Anderson RN, read the dissolving consultation page or use the contact page if you are unsure what to book. Pricing and treatment-decision consultation context for consultation planning at Core Aesthetics in Oakleigh. Illustrative consultation or assessment image only. Individual anatomy, suitability and treatment response vary. Not a treatment result or before-and-after image. ## Regulatory Context This page is general information for adults. The page language is consultation led and reviewed against Australian guidance for regulated health services and higher risk non surgical cosmetic procedure advertising. ## General Information Only This page is general information for adults and does not replace individual consultation or urgent medical care. Suitability, risks, timing and available options vary. Any medical or prescription treatment options can only be discussed where clinically appropriate after individual assessment. ## Is this for you? ### Consider booking a consultation if - Adults who regret previous cosmetic treatment and want careful assessment before another decision - Patients seeking guidance on whether to wait, contact the treating clinic, seek medical review or book assessment - People who can provide prior treatment information, photographs or aftercare instructions where available - Patients open to waiting, referral or no further treatment if that is more appropriate ### This may not be for you if - People with urgent symptoms who need immediate medical care rather than routine consultation - People seeking a claimed correction or reversal before assessment - People seeking cosmetic treatment for a person who is not an adult - Patients wanting emotional distress managed through cosmetic treatment alone Suitability is confirmed at consultation. This list is general guidance, not a substitute for clinical assessment. ## Frequently asked questions Is it normal to regret a cosmetic treatment? Yes. A wave of regret, particularly in the first days, is very common and often eases as any swelling settles and you adjust. Your feelings are valid whichever way they go. The key is to avoid acting on that early distress before things have had time to settle. What if something feels physically wrong, not just cosmetic? If you have severe or increasing pain, any change to your vision, skin that turns pale or dusky, spreading redness, swelling or a fever, or anything that feels rapidly worse, treat it as urgent. Contact your treating practitioner immediately, seek urgent medical care, or call 000 or attend an emergency department. Your health comes before any concern about appearance. How long should I wait before deciding I do not like the result? It is wise to allow time for early swelling and bruising to settle, as an area can look quite different in the first days compared with a few weeks later. A calm in person assessment is the best way to judge whether what you are seeing is settling or a genuine concern. I had treatment somewhere else and regret it. Can I come to you? Yes. You are welcome to book an assessment even if you were treated elsewhere. Bringing your treatment records helps a useful context, and you will receive an honest view of your options, which may include waiting, returning to your original practitioner, or no further treatment. Can a treatment be reversed or corrected? It depends entirely on what was done and on your individual circumstances. Some concerns can be addressed and others settle with time. Whether anything can or should be done can only be determined through an individual assessment, and no honest practitioner can claim a particular outcome before examining the area. What records should I bring to an assessment? Anything you have that describes what was done, including the date, who carried it out, consent forms, aftercare instructions and receipts. If you do not have these, you are entitled to request your records from the original clinic. Will you pressure me into more treatment to solve it? No. The clinic is consultation led, and an assessment carries no obligation to proceed. If the most sensible step is to wait or to do nothing, that is exactly what you will be told. General Information Only. This article is general in nature and does not replace a consultation with a qualified health practitioner. Treatment outcomes, suitability and risks vary by individual. Any medical or prescription treatment options can only be discussed and provided where clinically appropriate following an individual assessment. I had treatment somewhere else and regret it. Can I come to Core Aesthetics? Yes. You can book an assessment. Bring records, dates, aftercare instructions, photos and details from the original clinic if available. The consultation can also cover suitability, risks, timing, alternatives and whether waiting or no treatment is the more appropriate next step. Can a treatment always be reversed or corrected? No. Some concerns settle, some can be assessed for options and some cannot be corrected in the way a patient hopes. Suitability depends on what was done and your individual circumstances. The consultation can also cover suitability, risks, timing, alternatives and whether waiting or no treatment is the more appropriate next step. What records should I bring? Bring the treatment date, clinic and practitioner details, consent forms, aftercare instructions, receipts, product or dose details if available, and any photos or symptom notes. The consultation can also cover suitability, risks, timing, alternatives and whether waiting or no treatment is the more appropriate next step. Should I go back to the clinic that treated me? Often, yes, especially if treatment was recent and you feel safe doing so. The original clinic may hold important details and may need to review urgent or expected settling concerns. The consultation can also cover suitability, risks, timing, alternatives and whether waiting or no treatment is the more appropriate next step. Will Corey pressure me into more treatment to solve it? No. The assessment carries no obligation to proceed. Waiting, referral, return to the original clinic or no further treatment may be the most appropriate recommendation. The consultation can also cover suitability, risks, timing, alternatives and whether waiting or no treatment is the more appropriate next step. What if regret is making me anxious or distressed? Speak with your GP or another trusted health professional if distress is intense, persistent or affecting daily life. Emotional support can help you make a steadier decision. The consultation can also cover suitability, risks, timing, alternatives and whether waiting or no treatment is the more appropriate next step. Can I have corrective treatment on the same day? It is not automatic. Same day treatment depends on assessment, risk, consent, records, timing and whether proceeding is clinically appropriate. Many regret reviews are better used for assessment only. The consultation can also cover suitability, risks, timing, alternatives and whether waiting or no treatment is the more appropriate next step. ## Continue reading - [Migrated Treatment Review Guide A calm review guide for changes that look like migration, including what to document, what may mimic movement and when prompt advice matters.](/migrated-treatment/) - [Correction Assessment After Previous Treatment A consultation-first pathway for adults concerned about previous cosmetic treatment, timing, symptoms, suitability, risk and whether any corrective discussion is appropriate.](/treatment-correction-overview-assessment/) - [Aesthetic Treatment Emergency: When To Call If symptoms after aesthetic treatment are severe, fast moving or worrying, call triple zero (000) and ask for an ambulance. A clinic message, cosmetic review or booking should not delay urgent medical care.](/aesthetic-treatment-emergency-when-to-call/) - [Why a Practitioner May Recommend No Treatment A no treatment recommendation can be responsible clinical care when risk, timing, expectations, consent or suitability do not support proceeding.](/why-a-practitioner-may-recommend-no-treatment/) - [Patient Safety Before Aesthetic Decisions Patient safety starts with suitability, consent, risk discussion, aftercare planning and practitioner accountability before treatment is considered.](/patient-safety-aesthetic-consultation/) - [Is Treatment Suitable For You? A consultation led explanation of how Corey Anderson RN assesses suitability, consent, risk, timing and whether treatment discussion should proceed.](/treatment-suitability-assessment/) ## Clinical references - [TGA: Advertising health services that involve therapeutic goods](https://www.tga.gov.au/resources/guidance/advertising-health-services-involve-therapeutic-goods) - [Ahpra: Guidelines for advertising higher risk non-surgical cosmetic procedures](https://www.ahpra.gov.au/Resources/Cosmetic-surgery-hub/Cosmetic-procedure-advertising-guidelines.aspx) - [Ahpra: Guidelines for registered health practitioners who perform non-surgical cosmetic procedures](https://www.ahpra.gov.au/Resources/Cosmetic-surgery-hub/Cosmetic-procedure-guidelines.aspx) - [TGA: Advertising health services and cosmetic injections FAQ](https://www.tga.gov.au/products/regulations-all-products/advertising/specialised-advertising-issues-and-topics/advertising-health-services-and-cosmetic-injections-frequently-asked-questions-and-answers) - [Ahpra: Advertising regulated health services](https://www.ahpra.gov.au/Resources/Advertising-hub/Advertising-guidelines-and-other-guidance/Advertising-guidelines.aspx) - [Medical Board of Australia: Registered medical practitioners who perform cosmetic surgery and consultation pathways](https://www.medicalboard.gov.au/codes-guidelines-policies/cosmetic-medical-and-surgical-procedures-guidelines.aspx)