Frequently Asked Questions

Q. What is involved in a skin consult?

A. Skin consults are one of our most popular appointment types.  They are a 45-minute appointment, obligation-free and completely complimentary.  Consults are booked with our therapists, who are knowledgeable, experienced and qualified in assessing and treating a variety of skin conditions. Skin consults are useful for any and all skin types, and the most common conditions we see at Chrysalis are dryness/dehydration, sensitive/reactive skins (such as rosacea types), acne, ageing, and pigmentation.  During the consult we will ask for your concerns, and listen to you when you explain what you’d like to improve about your skin.  We will then assess the skin and determine the causes of problematic skin and identify any issues which should be targeted.  We then will work with you to develop a plan, which usually consists of a home skincare routine and in-clinic treatments.  It is common for patients to start small (for example, with just a couple of products) before moving on to a more comprehensive routine and professional procedures.  It’s up to you how big or small you wish to go. Photographs are generally taken at initial consultations, and these are kept on your confidential patient file.

Q. If I have a peel will I need to take time off work?

A. This depends entirely on the condition of your skin and the peel which has been used, but generally no.  The majority of our peels are a newer generation of peel, which do not cause an aggressive peeling and shedding.  Instead, they stimulate the skin’s own natural exfoliation processes so you get a slower, more even peeling over the course of about a week.  Any flaking is generally fairly mild, and is coverable with makeup.

Q. What treatments do you have for facial redness or vessels?

A. We can treat facial redness with both Limelight IPL and vascular laser.

Q. What treatments do you have for large pores?

A. Pore size is largely genetically determined and cannot be significantly altered by many treatments.  However, treatments which stimulate collagen (such as skin needling, radio frequency, or fractional ablative laser) help to firm and smooth the skin, which can help with the appearance of pores.  Products containing vitamin A and alpha-hydroxy acids, in addition to a good quality cleanser, can be useful as well.

Q. I used to get microdermabrasion at a beauty salon but I notice you don’t offer it. Why not, and is there something else I should try instead?

A. Microdermabrasion used to be the answer to everyone’s skin problems – or so we thought.  For a while there it was used everywhere, for every concern.  The issue lies in choosing the correct modality to treat the specific skin concern – and often, microdermabrasion just isn’t the best tool available for the job. In actual fact, we like to look closer at the skin and put steps into place to prevent the need for something like micro.  A skin that is well looked after and functioning well generally should not need aggressive physical exfoliation.  While microdermabrasion is still useful in some skin conditions, the newer generation of resurfacing treatments is designed to be gentler while providing a more even exfoliation.  If you like microdermabrasion for the instant smoothing effect, you will LOVE the Hydrafacial MD.  It includes a glycolic/salicylic acid peel, and uses disposable tips to gently abrade the surface of the skin.  We complete Hydrafacial MD with a hydrating infusion filled with antioxidants and hyaluronic acid, so the skin is left feeling moisturised and supported.  If you like micro because you find your skin behaves better and your home skincare products absorb better with regular exfoliation, you’ll probably love our huge range of peels.  Both Hydrafacial MD and our peels include LED phototherapy.

Q. “I’ve heard you mention that your clinic works on the principle of “evidence-based practice”.  What is this?

A. Evidence based practice simply means the integration of best available research into our treatments and protocols.  It means we refrain from recommending a treatment or product unless there is substantial scientific evidence, which means the treatment or product has been studied and, in most cases, compared with a placebo – and shown to be effective. The utilisation of scientific research is not the only pillar of evidence based practice that we integrate, however.  Our own clinical expertise and your preferences as a patient weigh in just as heavily.  But you can rest assured that the vast majority of our recommendations and protocols are scientifically solid.

Q. I only have a limited budget but I do want to improve my skin.  Is there anything I can do?

A. Absolutely!  We are very mindful and respectful of patient limitations, whether they be budget-related, downtime-related, or otherwise. We offer complimentary consultations for most concerns, so this is an easy first step.  In that appointment we can get to know you and understand what’s going on with your skin, and formulate a plan for you that is realistic and sustainable.  Often we will suggest just one or two “workhorse” products to do the heavy lifting, and make recommendations for chemist or supermarket products to fill in the rest of the gaps. In terms of in-clinic treatments, we have tried to make our price list as accessible as possible, and in fact in a recent self-audit of our fees we found that they compared very favourably to equivalent clinics both locally and in capital cities.

Q. Why do I need to wear sunscreen every single day especially if I don’t go outdoors much?

A. Evidence shows that cumulative sun exposure (from daily living as opposed to deliberately sunbaking) is a big contributor to lifetime sun damage.  Our UV index in North Queensland is high, so there’s no getting around it – sunscreen every single day is a non-negotiable.  Even if you are not predisposed to developing skin cancer, UV exposure is the main cause of what’s called “extrinsic ageing” (the development of lines, wrinkles and sagging caused by factors outside of the body).

Q. I had a consultation and you told me I need to use some products for a month prior to having my treatments. Why?  I want to have treatments today!

A. The primary reason for having our patients prep their skin with topical products is risk mitigation.  Whenever we do invasive treatments, there is always a risk that the skin will develop what is called post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation (brown spots).  This is a normal response undertaken by the skin after trauma, especially in skins that are naturally olive or darker.  We recommend preparing the skin with a product that “dampens down” this response, to provide a safer and more effective cosmetic outcome. In addition, we may also ask you to start on a product that helps you to heal more quickly. We are goal-driven and never ask our patients to purchase anything that we do not believe is in their best interests.

Q. I want to buy a gift voucher, what should I get?

A. Great choice! They’ll love our beautifully packaged gift cards. You can choose literally any treatment or dollar amount to give as a gift.  Our most popular services for gift vouchers are Guinot facials; full body massage; Hydrafacials; and skin consults with a retail spend amount (we generally suggest $200 is a good amount to put towards some new skincare products or a skincare kit).

Q: I’m getting married very soon, what skin treatment would be best for me?

A: Whilst we always suggest that brides begin working on their skin at least six months before their wedding, sometimes life gets in the way.  At this point, you want something that will be refreshing, relaxing, and will give a gorgeous glow whilst creating a beautiful canvas for your makeup.  Our most popular facial treatments for brides immediately prior to their wedding are the Hydrafacial MD; superficial peels; and Guinot facials.

Q: Do you do makeup?

A: Whilst our therapists are trained in makeup, we no longer offer special occasion or bridal makeup as a standalone service. Townsville is lucky to have several incredible specialist makeup artists and we will happily refer you to them if you have a special occasion coming up, just as they often refer their clients to us for skin therapies.  We do stock a carefully curated range of Jane Iredale foundations, and we can colour match you to find your perfect colour.  Jane Iredale is known as The Skin Care Makeup, and we find that many patients are able to achieve a significant improvement in their skin just by switching to Jane Iredale after using a supermarket or department store makeup.