Thinking About “Wrinkle” Treatments in Sydney? Read This First.

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Lines, skin quality and device-based options in Chatswood & Hurstville

A Quick Note on Regulations (Why You Won’t See Brand Names Here)

If you’ve searched online for terms like “wrinkle treatments” or “wrinkle reduction”, you may notice that reputable Australian clinics often speak in very general language.

This is because:
• In Australia, many popular wrinkle treatments involve prescription-only medicines.
• TGA and AHPRA rules do not allow clinics to promote, name or advertise these prescription medicines, or encourage you to seek a particular one.

So this page will:
• Explain how different wrinkle strategies work (upper face vs lower face, skin vs volume vs movement).
• Outline non-injectable device options like radiofrequency microneedling, fractional resurfacing and other skin treatments.
• Encourage a doctor-led consultation, instead of suggesting any specific prescription product.

Why Lines and Wrinkles Show Up (and Why One Solution Doesn’t Fit All)

Wrinkles and folds appear for a mix of reasons:

• Repetitive movement – frowning, squinting, raising brows and smiling fold the same areas thousands of times.
• Loss of support and volume – bone, fat and deep tissues in the cheeks and jawline slowly reduce over time.
• Skin quality changes – sun, lifestyle, hormones and genetics reduce collagen and elastin, making skin thinner and more lined.
• Gravity and laxity – tissues gradually descend, creating heaviness, jowls and deeper folds.

Because of this, treatment planning usually looks at three different layers:
1. Movement (muscles)
2. Support (deep structure and volume)
3. Skin quality (texture, pores, fine lines, pigment)

Different tools are better for different layers.

Upper Face: Frown Lines, Forehead Lines and Crow’s Feet

In the upper face, lines are typically driven by strong, repeated expression:

• Lines between the eyebrows
• Horizontal forehead lines
• Lines around the outer corners of the eyes

A doctor may discuss medical treatments that work on muscle activity in suitable patients. These are usually:

• Prescription-only
• Carefully dosed to soften movement while aiming to keep expression as natural as possible

Because of TGA and AHPRA rules, we cannot:
• Name these medicines
• Advertise them
• Suggest that you should, or will, receive them

Instead, your consultation focuses on:
• Where your muscles are over-active
• How much softening would look natural on your face
• Whether a movement-focused approach, skin treatment, or combination might be better

Some people prefer to explore non-injectable options only, and that is completely valid. A consultation can still be useful to discuss device-based and skincare pathways.

Lower Face: Folds, Jowls and “Tired” or “Sad” Expressions

In the lower face, the issue is less about movement and more about support and contour:

• Smile lines and marionette folds can deepen
• The jawline can soften and early jowls may appear
• Corners of the mouth may tilt down, contributing to a “tired” or “sad” look

Here, treatment planning often focuses on re-supporting the structure rather than simply reducing movement.

In a medical setting, a doctor may discuss options that:
• Rebuild support in specific zones (for example, around the cheek or jawline)
• Soften transitions between facial regions to reduce the appearance of harsh folds
• Encourage collagen production over time in selected areas

Again, due to regulations, this page will not name or promote any specific prescription medicines, “fillers” or “biostimulating” brands. The key idea is:

• Upper face – usually more about movement strategies
• Lower face – usually more about support and contour strategies

The exact tools used, and whether they involve medicines or devices, can only be discussed face-to-face with a practitioner.

Non-Injectable Options: When You Want to Focus on Skin and Collagen

Not everyone is ready for, or interested in, medical treatments that work deeper under the skin. Others want to maximise skin quality alongside any medical care.

Non-injectable options can be powerful for texture, fine lines and mild laxity.

Radiofrequency Microneedling

Radiofrequency microneedling devices are designed to:

• Deliver controlled energy into the deeper skin layers
• Stimulate new collagen and elastin
• Improve texture, fine lines and mild laxity

They are often used for:
• Lower face firmness and jawline definition in suitable candidates
• Crêpey skin on the cheeks and under-eyes
• Overall skin rejuvenation when combined with good home care

Benefits:
• Non-surgical – no prescription medicine is placed under the skin
• Aimed at long-term skin quality and structure, not just a quick surface change

Things to know:
• Temporary redness, swelling or small grid-like marks are common immediately after
• Usually done as a series of sessions, rather than a once-off
• Not all skin types are suitable for all settings – assessment is important

Fractional Skin Resurfacing

Fractional skin resurfacing treatments create thousands of tiny micro-columns in the skin, with surrounding bridges of healthy tissue that help healing and stimulate collagen.

This can help with:
• Fine lines around the eyes and mouth
• Sun-related texture and pigmentation
• Pore size and overall surface smoothness

Pros:
• Focuses on the “canvas” of your skin rather than deeper structures
• Can visibly brighten and smooth the complexion in appropriately selected patients

Considerations:
• Downtime varies – from a few days of redness/flaking to more obvious bronzing depending on settings
• Requires strict sun protection and adherence to aftercare
• Must be tailored to your skin type to reduce the risk of pigmentation issues

Microneedling with Radiofrequency

Microneedling with radiofrequency combines controlled micro-channels in the skin with heat delivered into deeper layers to stimulate collagen.

It can be used on the face and neck for mild tightening and textural changes, including acne scarring or crêpey skin.

It is often chosen by people who want to age actively, but prefer a focus on skin strength, pore refinement and texture smoothing rather than directly targeting muscles or deep folds with prescription-only options.

Pros and Cons: Movement/Support Pathways vs Device-Based Pathways

Without naming or promoting any specific prescription products, we can still compare general pathways so you know what to ask about in a consultation.

Doctor-Only Medical Treatments (Working on Movement/Support)

Potential advantages:
• Can specifically target movement lines (upper face) or support (lower face)
• May provide noticeable change in key areas of concern
• Can be adjusted over time to suit your comfort with “how much” change you want

Potential downsides:
• Always involve a medical consultation and careful screening
• May require ongoing maintenance to sustain the effect
• Carry risks such as bruising, swelling, asymmetry and, rarely, more serious complications
• Not suitable for everyone, and cannot be guaranteed to create a specific result

Device-Based Skin Treatments (RF, Fractional Resurfacing, Microneedling RF)

Potential advantages:
• No prescription medicine is placed under the skin
• Focuses on skin quality, texture and mild laxity
• Can be combined with healthy lifestyle and skincare for cumulative gains

Potential downsides:
• Usually require a course of treatments
• Results are gradual, not instant
• Some downtime, redness or flaking is normal
• Very deep folds or strong movement lines may still need additional strategies if you want more dramatic change

What Happens at a Consultation?

At Medical Aesthetics 360° (Chatswood & Hurstville), a consultation is about education and assessment, not pushing you into any single treatment.

Your practitioner can:
• Take a detailed history (medical conditions, medications, previous treatments)
• Assess your upper face, lower face and skin quality
• Discuss non-injectable options such as radiofrequency microneedling, fractional resurfacing and skin-support treatments
• If appropriate, provide information about prescription-only options in a way that complies with TGA and AHPRA rules (this cannot be done or promised via advertising)

The aim is to build a plan that:
• Respects your preferences (for example, needle-averse, minimal downtime, gradual and subtle)
• Prioritises safety and realistic expectations
• Focuses on natural-looking, harmonious outcomes

Clinics in Chatswood and Hurstville

Medical Aesthetics 360° – Chatswood:
• Convenient for Sydney’s North Shore
• Close to public transport and major roads

Medical Aesthetics 360° – Hurstville:
• Convenient for Southern Sydney and surrounding suburbs
• Easy access via train, buses and parking

Both clinics are designed for a calm, professional environment, so you can feel comfortable asking questions and taking your time.

Ready to Explore Your Options for Lines, Wrinkles and Skin Quality?

Whether you are actively researching “anti-wrinkle” treatments, curious about a non-injectable approach, or just wanting a professional opinion on ageing well, a personalised consultation can help you understand what is realistically achievable for your face and skin.

To find out which options may be suitable for you, book a consultation at Medical Aesthetics 360° in Chatswood or Hurstville. No treatment can be guaranteed or decided online – your practitioner will always assess you in person first.

Dr Suzanna Yan Ning Luo
• AHPRA registration number: MED0001187471
• Registration type: General and Specialist Registration – General Practice
• Role: Cosmetic doctor with a focus on facial assessment, non-surgical rejuvenation planning and long-term skin health

Dr Chun-Yen Huang
• AHPRA registration number: MED0001187421
• Registration type: General and Specialist Registration – General Practice
• Role: Cosmetic doctor providing non-surgical facial rejuvenation and skin-focused care, surgical blepharoplasty.

Your Doctors at Medical Aesthetics 360°

Important TGA & AHPRA-Aligned Disclaimer

This article provides general information only and does not constitute personal medical advice. Many wrinkle-focused treatments involve prescription-only medicines, which cannot be advertised, named or recommended in this article under Australian law. Any decision to use a prescription-only treatment can only be made after a face-to-face consultation with a suitably qualified health practitioner, who will consider your medical history, goals and suitability.

All treatments carry risks and potential side effects. Outcomes vary between individuals and no result can be guaranteed. References in this article to “upper face”, “lower face”, “movement”, “support” or “skin quality” strategies are for educational discussion only, not a promise that any particular treatment or medicine will be used or is appropriate for you.

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