Age-Related Volume Loss

Changes in facial shape and contour are a natural part of the ageing process.

At Shellharbour Skin, a consultation for age-related volume loss provides an opportunity to understand the biological, structural, and lifestyle factors that contribute to visible change and to discuss safe, evidence-based management pathways.

This consultation is educational and assessment-focused, designed to support your understanding of facial anatomy, rather than to promote a specific aesthetic service or result.

Understanding Why Volume Changes Occur

As we age, our bodies gradually produce less collagen, elastin, and hyaluronic substances, all of which play a role in maintaining the skin’s structure and hydration.

In combination with bone remodelling and soft-tissue movement, this can lead to changes in the contours of the face and neck.

Contributing influences may include:

Natural ageing: Reduction in supportive tissue and facial fat redistribution.

Genetics: Hereditary factors that influence bone structure and facial balance.

Sun exposure: Long-term ultraviolet exposure accelerates collagen breakdown.

Lifestyle: Sleep quality, nutrition, and hydration all impact skin health.

Muscle activity: Repetitive facial movement can accentuate surface lines.

These changes are part of normal ageing, and understanding them provides the foundation for safe and realistic management discussions.

Your Consultation at Shellharbour Skin

During your consultation, your clinician will perform a comprehensive assessment and guide you through the anatomical and physiological aspects of facial change.

Your clinician will:

• Review your medical history, including allergies, medications, and any prior aesthetic procedures.
• Assess the skin quality and facial structure, including soft-tissue and bony support.
• Explain how ageing and environmental factors interact to influence visible contours.
• Discuss non-surgical, evidence-based management pathways appropriate for your needs.
• Provide a clear overview of risks, aftercare considerations, and suitability.
• Offer time to ask questions or raise concerns before any decisions are made.

All consultations are conducted under medical supervision by qualified clinicians experienced in facial anatomy and aesthetic assessment.

No intervention is performed without confirmed suitability and informed consent.

Clinical Discussion and Management Planning

Following your assessment, your clinician may discuss management options that align with your presentation and goals.These discussions are educational in nature and intended to explain safety, timeframe, and procedural considerations – not to imply an aesthetic outcome.

Topics may include:

• Observation and monitoring when intervention is not required.
• Non-surgical clinical approaches to support skin structure and integrity.
• Discussion of related regions such as the cheeks, jawline, or temples to understand overall balance.
• Guidance on factors that influence long-term skin health and resilience.

Each discussion is patient-centred, evidence-based, and guided by your health and preferences.

Aftercare and Follow-Up

If a management pathway is undertaken, temporary effects such as mild redness, swelling, or tenderness may occur.

Your clinician will provide you with a personalised aftercare plan, which may include:

• Avoiding makeup and active skincare for 24–48 hours.
• Refraining from exercise or heat exposure for several days.
• Keeping the area clean and avoiding unnecessary pressure.
• Staying well-hydrated and protecting the skin from UV exposure.
• Returning for review if recommended by your clinician.

Written aftercare instructions and contact details will be provided following your appointment.

Risks and Considerations

All aesthetic and medical interventions carry risks, which your clinician will explain in detail before proceeding.

Common temporary effects may include:

• Redness, swelling, or bruising
• Tenderness or mild discomfort
• Temporary unevenness or firmness

Less common or serious risks may include:

• Infection or delayed healing
• Allergic or inflammatory response
• Discolouration or changes in skin texture
• Vascular compromise, a rare but serious event that can affect local tissue or, in exceptional cases, vision

If you experience pain, skin discolouration, or visual changes after a clinical procedure, contact the clinic or seek urgent medical attention immediately.

Cost and Planning

Consultation fees for discussions regarding age-related volume changes vary depending on the complexity of your assessment. All costs are confirmed before your appointment.

If a management pathway is discussed, it will be documented and cost separately following your clinical evaluation. No intervention proceeds without informed consent.

Important Information

• Shellharbour Skin provides consultations for assessment and management planning only.
• We do not advertise or promote prescription-only medicines, in line with AHPRA and TGA regulations.
• All services occur following a comprehensive medical assessment and informed-consent process.
• Suitability, recovery, and experience differ between individuals.
• Consultations are available for adults aged 18 years and over.
• This content is provided for educational and transparency purposes and should not replace 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