Thirty minutes with a dermatology-trained provider to map out a plan that actually fits you
An aesthetic consultation is a dedicated appointment to talk through what bothers you about your skin, what you've considered trying, and what actually fits. It is not a sales pitch, and you are not obligated to book any treatment that day. The goal is to leave with a clear picture of which options would work for your skin, which would not, and roughly what each one costs.
Most consultations take 30 minutes. Some patients come in with a specific treatment in mind, like Botox or a HydraFacial, and want to know whether it is the right fit. Others come in with a vague concern, like dull skin or fine lines around the eyes, and want a provider to tell them where to start.
Aesthetic dermatology works best when it is a sequence, not a one-time event. The treatments that rejuvenate skin most effectively build results slowly, and most of them need to be maintained. That is not a negative. It means you can start with something small, see how your skin responds, and layer in additional steps only when it makes sense.
The usual starting point is skincare. A prescription-strength retinol, a growth-factor serum, and a daily mineral sunscreen at SPF 30 or higher will improve most skin within three to six months, before any in-office treatment is even considered. Skin that is properly prepared also responds better to every treatment that comes after.
From there, most plans add one in-office modality at a time. Patients with concerns about expression lines often start with a small amount of Botox to soften a specific area. Patients focused on texture, pore size, or scarring usually start with microneedling or a light chemical peel. Patients focused on pigmentation start with a brightening protocol and a medical peel series. Patients focused on volume or contour start with filler in one carefully chosen area.
The biggest mistake aesthetic patients make is trying too many things at once. If you do three treatments on the same visit, you cannot tell which one did what, and you cannot tell which one is worth repeating. A good provider will suggest spacing treatments out so you can see what each one contributes.
Finally, every aesthetic plan should include an honest conversation about cost and cadence. Some treatments last three months. Some last nine. Some last three years. You should know the expected interval before you book, so the long-term cost is not a surprise. We lay that out in the written plan.
If you want to start but are not sure where, the consultation is the right appointment. There is no pressure to commit. The goal is to leave with clarity.
This is the right appointment if you are curious about aesthetic options but not sure which ones to pick. It is also right if you have a specific event coming up, like a wedding or reunion, and you want to know what is realistic in the time you have. It is right if you tried something at another clinic and want a second opinion on whether it was the right call.
It is not the right appointment if you already know exactly what you want. For a straight Botox appointment, book the injectable visit. For a HydraFacial, book the facial. An aesthetic consultation is about figuring out the plan.
Every aesthetic plan is built or reviewed by a board-certified dermatologist. If a medical issue is hiding behind a cosmetic concern, it gets caught before anyone picks up a needle or a laser.
You are not signing anything at the end of a consultation. You go home with a written plan, think it over, and book the treatment when you are ready. Most patients take a week or two, and that is the expected pace.
If the result you want cannot be achieved with injectables or lasers, your provider will say so. We have referred patients to plastic surgery colleagues when a surgical answer was the right one. That kind of honesty saves time and money.
Your provider starts by asking what brought you in. You describe what you see when you look in the mirror, what you have tried, and what you want the end result to feel like. This is the most important part of the visit, so give yourself permission to be specific. Say words like tired or heavy or uneven if that is how your skin feels. The more precise you are, the better the plan.
After the conversation, your provider examines your skin in the areas you are focused on. They may gently pull or press to see how your skin moves and bounces back. For injectables or skin tightening, this tells them where to place product and how much you might need. For resurfacing or facial treatments, it tells them how aggressive a protocol your skin can handle.
You leave with a written plan in your patient portal. The plan usually includes two or three treatment options, a rough price range for each, and a recommended order if the plan has multiple steps. If something needs more research, your provider sends you home with a link to read and a follow-up scheduled.
Most consultations are charged at a standard office visit rate, which many patients apply toward their first treatment if they book within a set window. Our team confirms the fee when you schedule.
Sometimes, but we rarely recommend it. Most patients benefit from going home, reviewing the written plan, and choosing a treatment date once they have had time to think. Same-day injectable treatments are possible if time allows and the plan is straightforward.
Yes. Men's aesthetic appointments often focus on hair restoration, men-specific Botox for strong expression lines, skin cancer risk, and refining jawline or neck concerns. Same providers, same consultation structure.
Bring a list of skincare products you currently use, any past aesthetic treatment history, and photos of yourself from three to five years ago if you want to reference how your skin has changed. That context helps your provider build a realistic plan.
Please give us a call and we will be happy to answer all your questions or concerns you may have.
