Before starting your cosmetic injection treatment, the practitioner will clean the treatment area. Your practitioner will then use a cannula or needle to place a precise amount of filler under the skin in the selected location. Depending on the amount of filler used, and the area treated, results are usually visible immediately after your treatment.

What is the downtime?

Patients may experience bruising and swelling, which usually resolves within a few days, but full recovery may take a week or two. Some patients may notice raised bumps or bumps on the skin, which are usually not cause for concern unless accompanied by other symptoms, such as redness, tenderness, or pain, which may show a possible severe allergic reaction or infection. If patients notice these symptoms, they should contact our clinic immediately. After undergoing a PLLA treatment, if there are other symptoms, such as redness, tenderness, or pain, this may indicate a possible severe allergic reaction or infection. If patients notice these symptoms, they should contact our clinic immediately.

What is the cost of a PLLA treatment?

The cost of PLLA varies from patient to patient and depends on the type of treatment recommended by your treating clinician to achieve the results you desire. We always recommend that our patients have an initial consultation in our clinic to determine the cost of a Rejuran™. The treating clinician can assess your problem areas and develop a customised treatment plan based on your goals, health, and concerns. Prices start at $795 per vial.

What are the results and aftercare for a PLLA?

PLLA treatments must be followed by the 5-5-5 rule. 5 minutes of massage, 5 times per day, for 5 days. This prevents the product from forming lumps or nodules and is vital. PLLA results typically at last least 24 months after the initial treatment phase. With maintenance treatments recommended yearly, results of a PLLA are long lasting. There are no general rules for how long the results should last, and they will vary from patient to patient, especially if patients are exposed to excessive UV rays, cigarette or e-cigarette smoke, excessive alcohol consumption, or a poor diet. To ensure proper healing and best results, your clinician will provide you with a follow-up plan, which may include: Do not touch the skin Do not wear makeup for 24 hours after treatment Do not exercise for 12 hours after treatment Do not use active skin care products for at least five days after treatment. Avoid skin treatments that may cause stress or stress on the skin, such as microdermabrasion, micro-needling, and facial massage Stay away from extreme temperatures, such as saunas, hydrotherapy, ice baths, or hot yoga for 24 hours

Are there any risks or complications associated with a PLLA treatment?

Patients may experience bruising and swelling, which usually resolves within a few days, but full recovery may take a week or two. Regardless of the cosmetic or medical treatment, you should know the associated risks and complications before deciding on any treatment. PLLA treatments carry the following risks and complications: Allergic reaction Scarring Blisters Swelling Bruises Skin discolouration Itching Redness

Sounds great. Where do I start?

Before undergoing a treatment, you must register at our Shellharbour clinic for an initial consultation with our qualified clinical team. During your consultation, you will discuss your lifestyle and health, including medical history, allergies, and any medications or supplements you may be taking. It is important to mention any allergic reactions to drugs or skin care products you may have experienced in the past and any other recent beauty treatments you’ve had. These factors affect how your body responds and how the treatment recovers. If you have any concerns, a consultation is when you ask questions about your treatment. Your clinician will ask about your current problems and reasons for wanting a cosmetic procedure and evaluate the treatment area. You should discuss what you hope to achieve with the treatment and your aesthetic goals. All the information you provide during the consultation is essential to developing a customised treatment plan that considers your health, concerns and expected outcomes to achieve the best possible result.

Skin Quality & Volume – Shellharbour Skin

Understanding Skin Structure and Volume

Facial structure and skin quality are shaped by an intricate balance of bone, muscle, fat, and skin. Each layer plays a unique role in maintaining contour, definition, and elasticity. Over time, both internal and external factors influence how these layers interact, leading to visible changes in the skin’s texture and support.

A Consultation for Skin Quality & Volume provides the opportunity to explore these biological processes in detail.This consultation focuses on education and clinical assessment, helping you understand how the skin’s natural architecture evolves with age, and how professional care can support long-term skin health within a safe, medically supervised framework.

The Science Behind Volume and Elasticity

As we age, the body’s production of collagen, elastin, and hyaluronic compounds, the structural proteins responsible for firmness and hydration, gradually declines.

This process, combined with changes to underlying bone and fat compartments, contributes to differences in contour, softness, and tone.

Your clinician will explain how several processes work together over time:

Collagen decline: Collagen provides tensile strength. After our mid-20s, its production slows by around 1% each year, leading to gradual thinning of the dermis.

Elastin changes: Elastin fibres give skin flexibility and resilience. Once damaged by UV or oxidative stress, they regenerate very slowly.

Hyaluronic compound reduction: Naturally occurring molecules that retain water within the skin decrease, contributing to dryness and loss of plumpness.

Bone resorption: The facial skeleton subtly remodels with age, altering support for overlying soft tissue.

Fat redistribution: Facial fat pads descend or shrink, affecting shape and symmetry.

Muscle dynamics: Repetitive movements and expressions can influence the way the skin drapes over time.

Together, these changes can influence how the skin reflects light, how contours appear, and how firm or hydrated the face looks and feels.

Lifestyle and Environmental Influences

Your clinician will also discuss how daily habits and environmental exposure contribute to long-term skin quality and structure:

Sun exposure: Ultraviolet radiation accelerates collagen breakdown and causes uneven pigmentation.

Nutrition: Diets lacking in protein, vitamin C, or essential fatty acids may compromise tissue repair.

Sleep and hydration: Inadequate rest or dehydration can affect circulation and elasticity.

Smoking and alcohol: Both reduce oxygen flow and contribute to oxidative stress, impairing the skin’s repair capacity.

Stress: Chronic stress hormones like cortisol can slow collagen synthesis and increase inflammation.

Understanding these influences helps you build a realistic and sustainable approach to maintaining healthy, resilient skin.

Your Consultation at Shellharbour Skin

Your consultation is a detailed, discussion-based appointment focused on your anatomy, health, and goals.It is designed to educate, assess suitability, and ensure any subsequent care is clinically justified.

During this appointment, your clinician will:

Assess facial structure, volume distribution, and skin texture.
Review your health history, medications, allergies, and lifestyle factors.
Discuss your goals and expectations.
Explore non-surgical, evidence-informed options to support structural balance and skin health.
Explain preparation, recovery, and aftercare considerations.
Ensure that any recommendations are medically appropriate and consented to before proceeding.

No procedure is performed without a comprehensive clinical assessment and informed-consent discussion.

Approach Discussions

Following your assessment, your clinician may outline educational pathways and clinical options suited to your needs.

These discussions are intended to deepen your understanding of your skin’s biology and to support safe, gradual, and realistic care planning.

Topics may include:

Observation and review, where no immediate intervention is required but progress is monitored over time.
Skin-care and home management, including topical antioxidants, hydration strategies, and barrier repair.
Professional treatments that may stimulate or support the skin’s natural functions — such as light-based therapy, ultrasound (e.g., Ultraformer MPT – HIFU), or fractional resurfacing (e.g., Alma Hybrid CO₂).
Medical approaches, where clinically indicated following a medical assessment — these may include the use of prescription-only substances designed to interact with the skin’s deeper layers.
- These options are discussed only in consultation with an authorised prescriber and never advertised or named on this website.
Collaborative or referred care, when additional medical input is beneficial.

Your clinician will explain the rationale for any approach, potential risks and downtime, and relevant aftercare instructions.

After-Consultation Considerations

If a treatment plan is discussed, you’ll receive detailed written guidance covering:

Expected recovery timelines and review appointments.
Temporary effects such as mild swelling, redness, or tenderness.
Safe use of skincare, sun protection, and activity modification.
Signs to monitor and when to contact the clinic for follow-up.

You are encouraged to take time to review this information before making any decision.

Risks and Precautions

All aesthetic procedures carry potential risks.
Common temporary effects may include redness, bruising, or swelling.
Less common risks can include infection, tenderness, or asymmetry.
These are discussed thoroughly during consultation to ensure informed consent.

Cost and Planning

Consultation fees vary depending on time and complexity. Any further treatment planning or cost estimates are discussed only after your consultation and once clinical suitability is determined.
Written cost information and follow-up plans are provided before any procedure proceeds.

Important Information

Shellharbour Skin discusses specific options only within consultation.
We do not advertise or name prescription-only medicines
All services are provided following a clinical assessment and informed-consent process.
Experiences and recovery vary between individuals.
Services are intended for adults aged 18 years and over.
This content is for educational purposes only and does not replace professional medical advice.

Consultations and treatments at Shellharbour Skin are provided by a multidisciplinary clinical team:

Dermal Clinicians – qualified professionals who are not registered under AHPRA but hold tertiary qualifications in dermal science or dermal therapies. They perform skin treatments and consultations within their scope of practice and under clinical supervision.

Registered Nurses – AHPRA-registered health practitioners who provide skin and aesthetic treatments within their training and scope of practice.

Medical Practitioners – AHPRA-registered doctors experienced in skin health and aesthetic medicine who oversee and support all clinical services.
When clinically appropriate, a medical practitioner may prescribe or perform medical treatments following in-person assessment and in accordance with professional and legal standards.

All care is delivered in a medically supervised environment, ensuring patient safety, suitability, and adherence to evidence-based standards. You can verify registration for medical practitioners and nurses at ahpra.gov.au

Frequently Asked Questions

At what age does skin volume start to change?

Collagen production begins to decline from around the mid-20s, reducing by approximately 1% per year. While the exact timeline varies between individuals, lifestyle habits, genetics, and sun exposure can all influence how quickly visible changes appear. A consultation provides a personalised assessment based on your unique skin biology rather than age alone.

Can lifestyle habits improve skin quality?

Yes. Healthy skin is supported by consistent sun protection, balanced nutrition, hydration, and sufficient rest. Avoiding smoking, moderating alcohol intake, and managing stress also help protect collagen integrity and maintain a resilient skin barrier over time.

What are the potential risks of treatments that target skin quality and volume?

All aesthetic and medical procedures carry some risk. Common temporary effects may include redness, swelling, or mild tenderness. Less common risks can include bruising, infection, or localised irritation.Your clinician will discuss these in detail before any treatment, ensuring full understanding and informed consent.

What affects skin texture and elasticity?

Skin elasticity depends on the quality of collagen and elastin fibres within the dermis.

These fibres can be weakened by UV exposure, oxidative stress, smoking, poor sleep, or dehydration, reducing the skin’s ability to rebound and remain smooth.

Your clinician can help you understand which factors are contributing most to your current skin condition.

Have a Question?

If you have a question, get in touch and one of our staff will be in touch shortly.