Plain English on what we treat. And what we won't.
Six concerns we focus on. None are quick fixes. All start with a free 30-minute assessment with Aarti.
Pigmentation that won't fade — and what's actually behind it.
"I've tried four serums and the dark patches are still there. They're worse in summer."
What's actually happeningPigmentation in adult skin in Australia is almost always one of three things — sun-driven (lentigines), hormonal (melasma), or post-inflammatory (left over from acne or other irritation). Each one needs a different approach. Treating melasma with a strong laser, for instance, can make it dramatically worse. Diagnosis matters more than the device.
How we approach itWe start with a proper skin examination under controlled light to identify the type. The plan usually combines pigment-targeting topicals (prescription-grade where appropriate), a controlled chemical peel sequence, sun discipline, and — only when the type indicates it — a light-based treatment. We pace it across months, not weeks.
Lines you can see — and what to do before they become ones you can't ignore.
"It's mostly the corners of my eyes and the lines on my forehead when I raise my eyebrows. I want them softer, but I don't want to look frozen."
What's actually happeningTwo things are usually combining: thinning of the upper skin layer (less collagen, less hydration capacity) and repeated muscle movement creating the lines themselves. Treating only one — collagen but not movement, or movement but not collagen — leaves you frustrated.
How we approach itA combination plan. Collagen-stimulating treatments (skin needling, peels, LED) build the structural side over a 3–6 month sequence. Where appropriate, conservative neuromodulator dosing addresses movement-driven lines — referred to a partnered cosmetic prescriber, never overdone, never the first move.
When skin looks "tired" no matter how much sleep you get.
"I look tired in photos even when I'm not. My skin used to bounce light. Now it just sits there."
What's actually happeningDullness is usually a stack of small things — a thickened outer layer holding light back, dehydration in the layers below, sluggish surface turnover, often combined with mild congestion. Treatments that strip the outer layer aggressively give a 48-hour glow and a 6-week regret.
How we approach itA measured resurfacing sequence (gentle peels, hydrating facials, dermaplaning where indicated), barrier repair work between sessions, and a home routine designed to maintain the outcome. The goal is a glow that lasts months, not a Saturday.
When the structure starts to give — and what works without surgery.
"The lower face has gone softer. The cheeks have dropped. I'm not ready for surgery — but I want it to stop sliding."
What's actually happeningTwo structural losses: collagen below and elastin throughout. Both decline measurably from the late 20s onward, and accelerate around perimenopause. The skin doesn't snap back the way it used to because the snap-back tissue is, literally, less of it.
How we approach itCollagen-stimulating treatments delivered in a sequence (skin needling, RF microneedling where appropriate, LED), paired with a topical regimen that supports collagen synthesis. We don't promise a facelift outcome. We promise structural slowing — visible, measurable, sustainable.
Adult acne — and the scars from teenage acne — together.
"I'm 34 and I'm still breaking out around my jaw. And the scars from when I was 18 haven't gone anywhere."
What's actually happeningAdult acne and teenage acne are usually different problems with different drivers — adult is often hormonal, congested, or barrier-broken; teenage scarring is structural change to the dermis. They need separate plans, run simultaneously.
How we approach itActive acne is calmed first (we don't resurface skin that's still erupting). Once stable, we move into scar work — skin needling sequences, controlled peels, sometimes a partnered referral for further treatment. The plan is paced over months, not rushed.
When the skin barrier is broken — and most clinics ignore it.
"Everything I put on my face stings. My skin is tight by midday no matter how much I moisturise. I'm not sure what's happening."
What's actually happeningA compromised skin barrier — usually from over-exfoliation, over-treatment, or aggressive product layering — leaves the skin unable to hold water and unable to defend itself. It's the single most common diagnosis I see in the assessment chair, and it's the one most chain clinics skip past on the way to selling a treatment.
How we approach itA repair phase first — gentle, structured, no actives, no resurfacing, no devices. Two to eight weeks, depending on severity. Only once the barrier is back do we layer in any active treatment. Skipping this phase is why most plans elsewhere fail.
And where we'll send you instead.
Refresh Skin is a dermal clinic, not a cosmetic surgery practice and not a medical dermatology service. We don't perform injectables in-clinic — when those are part of your plan, we work with a partnered cosmetic prescriber and refer you out. We don't treat skin cancer, severe acne requiring oral medication, or autoimmune skin conditions — those go to a medical dermatologist.
If your concern isn't a fit for what we do, we'll tell you in the assessment, refer you to the right person, and you keep the written plan as a starting point.
Start with the same 30 minutes.
Eight assessments per week. By appointment only. No walk-ins. No rotating therapists.
Book your Free Skin Assessment →Or call / WhatsApp Aarti directly: 0416 813 490