The Canberra Clinic
Dr Turner consults from The Clinic Skin Health & Wellness, located at G24/6 Provan St, Campbell ACT 2612 — near the Campbell Shops precinct, with easy access from Constitution Avenue and the Monaro Highway.
The clinic is accessible for patients from across Canberra, including Braddon, Barton, Civic, Manuka, Kingston, Griffith, Deakin, Woden, Tuggeranong, Belconnen, Gungahlin, Ainslie, Dickson, and surrounding suburbs. Patients travelling from Queanbeyan, Yass, Goulburn, Cooma, and the broader southern NSW region are also welcome.
The Campbell clinic is used for consultations, pre-operative planning, and post-operative follow-up. Surgical procedures are performed at accredited private hospitals in Sydney.
Endoscopic Brow Lift Surgery in Canberra
The endoscopic brow lift addresses descent of the forehead and brow — a structural change that tends to develop gradually as soft tissue elasticity reduces and underlying muscles repeatedly pull the brow downward over time. The result is a brow that sits lower than it used to, which can create a heavy or fatigued appearance around the upper face.
The endoscopic approach uses several small incisions placed within the hairline, through which a thin camera and surgical instruments are introduced. This avoids the long coronal incision of older brow lift techniques, reduces recovery time, and leaves no visible scarring. Internally, the procedure releases the tissues holding the brow in a descended position and repositions them with fixation to allow healing in a corrected location.
The endoscopic technique is most appropriate for patients with a specific pattern of brow descent rather than significant skin laxity across the entire forehead. Patients with very high hairlines may not be suited to the approach. Dr Turner assesses this at consultation.
The Gliding Brow Lift
For patients where a different approach is more appropriate, Dr Turner also performs the gliding brow lift — a technique designed to reposition the brow with refined control over the final position. Which approach is appropriate depends on your anatomy and the degree of descent present.
Eyelid Surgery (Blepharoplasty) in Canberra
Eyelid surgery addresses changes to the upper and lower eyelids that develop over time. The two are distinct procedures and are assessed separately, though they can be performed together.
Upper Blepharoplasty
Upper blepharoplasty removes excess or overhanging skin from the upper eyelids. The incision is placed within the natural eyelid crease, which means scarring is typically well concealed once healed. The procedure may address a hooded eyelid appearance, difficulty applying makeup, and in some cases a visual field obstruction caused by overhanging skin.
Where upper blepharoplasty is performed for documented visual field obstruction, it may be eligible for a partial Medicare rebate. Visual field testing is required to substantiate the claim. Dr Turner can assess your eligibility during consultation and arrange the relevant testing if appropriate. A GP referral is required.
Lower Blepharoplasty
Lower blepharoplasty addresses puffiness, under-eye bags, and skin laxity beneath the eyes. These concerns are typically caused by protruding fat pads, loose skin, or volume changes in the tear trough area. Where appropriate, Dr Turner uses fat repositioning techniques rather than simple removal, which tends to avoid the hollowed appearance that can result from aggressive fat excision in younger patients.
Lower blepharoplasty is a cosmetic procedure and is not eligible for Medicare rebates.
Combining Brow Lift and Blepharoplasty
Brow descent and eyelid heaviness are often assessed together because they’re structurally related. A descended brow pushes soft tissue downward onto the upper eyelid — which means what looks like an upper eyelid concern may actually be driven partly or primarily by brow position. Correcting one without properly assessing the other can lead to a result that doesn’t fully address what’s bothering you.
When both procedures are appropriate, they can be performed together in a single operation, which avoids two separate anaesthetic events and recovery periods. Whether a combined approach is suitable in your case depends on your anatomy and what Dr Turner finds at consultation.
Brow lift and blepharoplasty can also be combined with other facial procedures. Patients considering facelift surgery — including the face and neck lift or rhinoplasty available in Canberra — can discuss combining procedures at the same consultation appointment.
What Happens at a Canberra Consultation
The consultation at the Campbell clinic covers both the brow and eyelids as a unit — not in isolation. Dr Turner will assess the position of the brow, the degree of skin excess at the upper and lower eyelids, any contribution of brow descent to upper eyelid heaviness, and your overall upper facial structure.
Photographs are taken from multiple angles. If upper blepharoplasty with Medicare eligibility is being considered, visual field assessment is arranged. Dr Turner explains which procedures are appropriate for your anatomy, why, and what the realistic expectations are for each.
Under Australian regulations introduced in July 2023, all patients considering cosmetic surgery must complete a psychological evaluation and observe a mandatory cooling-off period before proceeding. Dr Turner’s practice follows these requirements in full, and there’s no expectation that you decide anything on the day.
A GP referral is required for your consultation, particularly where Medicare rebate eligibility is a consideration.
Who May Be a Candidate?
Candidacy depends on a number of individual factors including overall health, skin quality, the degree of tissue descent, and the specific concerns being addressed. A consultation is required to determine this properly.
That said, patients who commonly present for brow lift consultation include those who notice brow heaviness or a persistently tired appearance around the upper face, forehead furrows driven by the unconscious habit of raising the brows to compensate for their descended position, and asymmetry between the two brows. Those presenting for blepharoplasty include patients with hooded upper eyelids, puffiness or bags beneath the eyes, or an obstructed visual field from overhanging upper eyelid skin.
Age alone is not a determining factor for either procedure. Suitability depends on anatomy, not a number.
For Canberra Patients: How the Process Works
Consultation in Canberra. Assessment, surgical planning, and pre-operative preparation take place at the Campbell clinic. There’s no need to travel to Sydney for consultations.
Cooling-off period. The mandatory waiting period applies between your initial consultation and any decision to proceed with surgery. Dr Turner’s practice follows Australian regulatory requirements in full.
Surgery in Sydney. Procedures are performed at accredited private hospitals in Sydney. Canberra to Sydney is approximately 2.5–3 hours by road or under an hour by air from Canberra Airport. Most patients arrive the evening before surgery and stay 1–2 nights post-operatively before returning to Canberra.
Follow-up in Canberra. Post-operative reviews are available at the Campbell clinic. You don’t need to return to Sydney for every appointment.
Recovery Overview
Recovery from brow lift and blepharoplasty is generally measured in weeks rather than months, though the exact timeline varies by procedure and individual.
Days 1–5: Swelling and bruising are at their most significant, particularly around the eyes. Most patients rest at home with their head elevated. Temporary blurring or watery eyes is common after blepharoplasty.
Days 5–10: Initial review and suture removal typically occur in this window. Many patients feel well enough to be seen in public, though bruising may still be visible.
Weeks 2–3: Most patients return to desk-based work and normal daily activities. Physical exercise and anything strenuous should wait for clearance.
Weeks 4–6: Most residual swelling resolves. Final results continue to settle over the following months as tissues heal fully.
Contact lenses should be avoided for at least two weeks after blepharoplasty. Glasses that rest on the nose bridge are generally fine; pressure on the surgical area should be avoided.
Risks and Complications
Brow lift and blepharoplasty surgery carry risk. Potential complications include bruising and swelling, infection, asymmetry in brow position or eyelid appearance, temporary or prolonged changes in skin sensation, nerve injury affecting forehead movement (rare with the endoscopic technique), dry eyes or irritation following blepharoplasty, under-correction or over-correction requiring revision, and risks associated with general anaesthesia.
These risks are discussed in detail at consultation. Further information is available on the risks and complications page.
Frequently Asked Questions
What's the difference between a brow lift and blepharoplasty?
A brow lift addresses the position of the brow — repositioning descended tissue to reduce heaviness across the upper face. Blepharoplasty addresses the eyelids directly — removing excess skin from the upper lids or addressing fat and laxity under the lower lids. The two are distinct procedures, though they’re closely related structurally. Brow descent often contributes to upper eyelid heaviness, so assessing both together at consultation is important before deciding which procedure — or combination — is appropriate.
Is the endoscopic brow lift less invasive than a traditional brow lift?
Yes, in the sense that it uses several small incisions in the hairline rather than a longer coronal incision across the top of the scalp. This reduces visible scarring and generally shortens recovery. The endoscopic technique isn’t universally appropriate, however — it suits patients with a specific pattern of brow descent rather than those with significant forehead skin excess. Dr Turner determines at consultation whether the endoscopic approach is suitable for your anatomy.
Can upper blepharoplasty be covered by Medicare?
It may be, in specific circumstances. Where upper blepharoplasty is performed to address a documented visual field obstruction caused by overhanging upper eyelid skin, a partial Medicare rebate may apply. Visual field testing is required to substantiate eligibility. This doesn’t apply to upper blepharoplasty performed purely for cosmetic reasons. Dr Turner will assess your eligibility at consultation and arrange the appropriate testing if relevant. A GP referral is required.
How long do results typically last?
Both procedures address structural changes that have occurred over time, and the ageing process continues after surgery. Brow lift results may last 7–10 years or longer depending on technique, individual ageing patterns, and skin quality. Blepharoplasty results tend to be longer lasting, particularly for upper eyelids, though lower lid changes may recur over time. Results are not permanent and vary between individuals.
Will I have visible scars?
The endoscopic brow lift places all incisions within the hairline — they’re not visible once healed. Upper blepharoplasty incisions are placed within the natural eyelid crease and are well concealed. Lower blepharoplasty can be performed through incisions inside the lower lid (transconjunctival approach) or just below the lash line, depending on what’s being addressed. Scar appearance varies between individuals, and Dr Turner discusses incision placement at consultation.
Considering Other Procedures at the Canberra Clinic?
Dr Turner consults for a range of facial and body procedures at Campbell. If you’re exploring more than one concern, they can often be covered in a single appointment.
Face & Neck Surgery — Canberra
Breast & Body Surgery — Canberra
Book a Consultation in Canberra
To arrange a consultation at the Campbell clinic, contact the practice online or call 1300 437 758.
Canberra Clinic: G24/6 Provan Street, Campbell ACT 2612
