Lower Face

The lower face plays a central role in facial balance and expression.

A Lower Face Consultation at Shellharbour Skin provides an opportunity to discuss concerns in the mouth and chin area, including features such as marionette lines (lines that extend from the corners of the mouth), nasolabial folds (creases between the nose and mouth), perioral lines (fine lines around the lips), and chin or jawline contour changes.

This consultation focuses on education, anatomical understanding, and safety planning. It is not designed to promote a particular aesthetic service but to help you understand the factors contributing to visible changes and discuss potential management options in a safe, evidence-based way.

Understanding Why Lower Face Changes Occur

Changes around the mouth and chin area develop naturally over time. These variations are part of the ageing process and result from a combination of structural, biological, and environmental influences.

Contributing factors may include:

Collagen and elastin decline: Reduction in these natural proteins reduces firmness and elasticity.

Soft-tissue movement: Fat pads beneath the skin can shift, leading to volume redistribution.

Bone and structural change: Subtle bone resorption around the jaw and chin affects overlying support.

Muscle activity: Repetitive movement contributes to fine lines and deepened folds.

Environmental exposure: Sunlight, smoking, and lifestyle factors accelerate visible change.

Understanding these causes allows clinicians to tailor discussions about appropriate and safe management strategies during your consultation.

Your Consultation at Shellharbour Skin

Your consultation is a comprehensive, discussion-based appointment focused on understanding your individual concerns and health background.

During your appointment, your clinician will:

• Review your medical history, including medications, allergies, and previous procedures
• Conduct an assessment of your facial anatomy and movement patterns
• Discuss your specific areas of concern and observations
• Explain the biological and structural factors that contribute to what you’re noticing
• Provide information on potential management pathways, including safety, suitability, and associated considerations
• Outline the risks and possible side effects relevant to any option discussed
• Offer the opportunity to ask questions or raise any concerns at any stage of the consultation

All consultations are conducted under medical supervision by qualified clinicians trained in facial anatomy and aesthetic assessment. No intervention is undertaken without a complete medical assessment, confirmed suitability, and an informed-consent process.

Clinical Discussion and Management Planning

Following your assessment, your clinician may outline management pathways or educational options suited to your individual needs.
 These discussions are educational in nature and aim to help you understand the structure and function of the lower face, as well as safe, evidence-based approaches that may support facial balance and definition.

Topics may include:

Observation or monitoring: When no immediate intervention is required, your clinician may recommend review over time to monitor natural changes.

Lifestyle and skin-care optimisation: Guidance on hydration, sun protection, and home-care practices that help maintain long-term skin quality and health.

Professional skin treatments: Discussion of clinically appropriate, non-invasive modalities such as Alma Hybrid or Ultraformer MPT (HIFU) that may assist in supporting skin structure and overall skin function when suitable.

Medically directed or prescribed approaches: Where appropriate, your clinician may discuss non-surgical options performed under medical supervision that act beneath the skin’s surface to support structure. These are undertaken only after an in-person medical assessment and cannot be named or advertised publicly under AHPRA and TGA regulations.

Collaborative or referred care: If multidisciplinary input (for example, dental, medical, or allied health review) would enhance your overall plan.

Your clinician will clearly explain the reasoning behind any recommendations, outline relevant safety considerations, and provide guidance on aftercare and review.

Aftercare and Follow-Up

If a management plan is carried out, temporary effects such as redness, swelling, or tenderness may occur. These are typically mild and resolve within a few days.
 Your clinician will provide tailored aftercare advice, which may include:

• Avoiding makeup and active skincare products for 24–48 hours
• Limiting strenuous activity and heat exposure
• Avoiding pressure or massage to the area
• Remaining upright and avoiding inverted positions immediately afterwards
• Attending follow-up appointments as advised

You will receive clear written aftercare instructions and contact details for review if needed.

Risks and Considerations

All aesthetic and medical interventions carry potential risks and side effects. Your clinician will discuss these in detail and explain how they are managed safely.

Common temporary effects may include:

• Redness, tenderness, or mild swelling
• Localised bruising or discolouration
• Temporary uneven texture or firmness

Less common or delayed effects may include:

• Prolonged swelling or inflammation
• Localised nodules or firmness beneath the skin
• Temporary numbness or tingling
• Cold sore reactivation (in prone individuals)
• Rare allergic or inflammatory response
• Vascular compromise (reduced blood flow), which requires prompt clinical assessment

If you experience unexpected pain, discolouration, or persistent symptoms following any aesthetic service, contact the clinic immediately for review and appropriate management.

Cost and Planning

Consultation fees for lower-face assessment depend on the time and complexity of your appointment. Your clinician will confirm all costs before the consultation begins.
If a management plan or further clinical step is proposed, this will be outlined and cost separately after assessment.
No procedures or interventions are undertaken without prior informed consent.

Important Information

• Shellharbour Skin provides consultations for aesthetic assessment and management planning.
• We do not advertise or promote prescription-only medicines in accordance with AHPRA and TGA requirements.
• All services are undertaken only after a full medical assessment and informed-consent process.
• Suitability, recovery, and experience vary between individuals.
• Consultations are available to adults aged 18 years and over.
• This information is provided for educational transparency and should not replace individual medical advice.

Practitioner Transparency

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

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

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

Medical Practitioners – AHPRA-registered doctors experienced in skin health and aesthetic medicine who oversee and support all clinical services.

All treatments are undertaken within a medically supervised environment, ensuring that each patient pathway is reviewed for clinical suitability, safety, and evidence-based care.

You can verify registration for medical practitioners and nurses at ahpra.gov.au