What we offer
Medispa by Dr Turner covers four areas of non-surgical care:
- Dermal treatments, including medical-grade skincare, skin peels, and dermal needling
- LED light therapy, used both as a standalone treatment and as part of post-surgical recovery
- Anti-wrinkle treatments, available only after an individual consultation
- Volume restoration, available only after an individual consultation
Each area is described below. None of these treatments is suitable for every patient, and our team will tell you honestly if we think a treatment is not the right fit for you.
Dermal treatments
Dermal treatments are the foundation of the Medispa program. The three options below are often used in combination, with a treatment plan built around your skin type, your concerns, and how much downtime you can accommodate.
Medical-grade skincare
Skincare is often where we start, particularly with patients who are early in their thinking about a procedure or who want to support results after surgery.
Medical-grade products contain higher concentrations of active ingredients than the cosmeceuticals available in general retail, and they are prescribed after a skin assessment. This matters because the strongest active ingredients can do more harm than good if they are used on the wrong skin type, at the wrong concentration, or in the wrong combination. A short consultation with one of our clinicians is more useful than a basket of products chosen from a website.
What an initial skin consultation covers:
- A review of your current skin concerns and routine
- An assessment of skin type, sensitivity, sun exposure history, and any active conditions
- A discussion of what is realistic to address with topical products versus what may need a clinical treatment
- A small, considered list of products to start with, rather than a long regimen
We will not recommend products you do not need.
Skin peels
Skin peels involve the controlled application of an acidic solution to remove the outer layers of skin and prompt cell turnover. The depth of the peel determines what it can address and how much recovery is involved.
What peels can address
Peels are used in the context of sun damage, pigmentation, congestion, fine lines, and uneven skin texture. Peels are most useful for surface and mid-surface concerns. They will not address deeper structural changes.
Depths we offer
- Superficial peels typically involve minimal visible peeling. Most patients return to normal activity on the same day, with some short-lived redness and tightness.
- Medium-depth peels involve visible peeling over several days. Recovery is more involved, and patients need to plan around it. Sun protection becomes particularly important in the weeks after treatment.
Our clinicians recommend a depth based on your skin type, your concerns, and your tolerance for downtime. We do not push patients toward deeper treatments than they need.
Course length
Skin peels are most effective as part of a planned course rather than as a one-off. As a general guide, three to six superficial peels or one to three medium-depth peels are typical for an initial course, with the exact number depending on the concern being addressed and how your skin responds. Your written plan will set out the recommended course for your situation.
Risks and considerations
Side effects include temporary redness, peeling, sensitivity to sunlight, and in some patients, pigmentation changes that may take weeks to settle. Peels are not suitable during active rosacea flares, recent sun exposure, recent waxing or laser treatment of the same area, or in the early postoperative period after facial surgery. A consultation will identify whether a peel is appropriate for your situation.
Dermal needling
Dermal needling, sometimes called skin needling or microneedling, is a treatment that uses fine medical needles to create controlled microchannels in the skin. The body responds to these small injuries by stimulating its natural collagen production over the following weeks.
What it can address
Dermal needling is generally used to influence skin texture, fine lines, certain types of scarring (including some acne scars), and overall skin quality. It is not a treatment for deep lines, significant skin laxity, or volume loss. Patients with those concerns are usually directed to other options or, where appropriate, to a surgical consultation with Dr Turner.
What is involved
A topical numbing cream is applied before treatment, and the procedure itself takes around 30 to 45 minutes depending on the area. Most patients have redness and a sensation similar to mild sunburn for 24 to 48 hours afterwards. A course of treatments is usually recommended for measurable change, with the number of sessions depending on what you are trying to address.
Risks and considerations
Common side effects include temporary redness, swelling, and pinpoint bleeding. Less commonly, treatment can cause infection, pigmentation changes (particularly in darker skin tones), or scarring if aftercare instructions are not followed. Dermal needling is not suitable during active skin infections, recent isotretinoin use, certain inflammatory skin conditions, or for patients with a history of keloid scarring. Your clinician will go through these with you before treatment.
LED light therapy
LED light therapy uses specific wavelengths of light to influence skin cell activity. It is often used as an adjunct, that is, alongside other treatments or in the period after surgery, rather than as a standalone solution.
LED in the post-surgical period
One of the most common ways LED light therapy is used in our practice is in the weeks after surgery with Dr Turner. The wavelengths used in post-surgical LED protocols can assist the body’s natural healing response in the treated area, and many of our surgical patients schedule a short course of sessions in the early recovery period as part of their aftercare. Whether LED is appropriate for your specific situation depends on the procedure performed and where you are in your recovery, and is discussed at your post-operative review.
LED for skin concerns
LED is also offered as a standalone or combined treatment for concerns such as supporting recovery after a peel or dermal needling session, and for selected skin conditions. Suitability is assessed individually.
A full description of how we use LED light therapy in the practice, including the wavelengths involved and the situations it is most often recommended for, is available on our LED light therapy resource page.
Anti-wrinkle treatments
Anti-wrinkle treatments are a non-surgical option for patients looking to soften the appearance of certain lines and wrinkles, particularly those that appear with facial movement. The treatment works by temporarily reducing the activity of specific facial muscles in the treated area.
Where anti-wrinkle treatments are most often discussed
In consultation, anti-wrinkle treatments are typically discussed in the context of:
- Lines that appear with frowning, between the brows
- Forehead lines that appear with raised brows
- Lines at the outer corners of the eyes
- Some patients also ask about the treatment for jaw tension or excessive sweating, where appropriate
Whether the treatment is suitable for a specific area, and the appropriate approach for you, is determined at consultation.
What we cannot describe on this page
In line with the Therapeutic Goods Administration’s rules on the advertising of prescription-only medicines, we cannot name specific products, list prices, or show before-and-after images for anti-wrinkle treatments on this page. Those details are discussed during your consultation, in writing, where they can be put in the proper clinical context.
Risks
Anti-wrinkle treatments carry risks. These can include:
- Bruising, swelling, redness, and tenderness at the injection site
- Headache
- Temporary drooping of nearby structures, for example an eyelid or eyebrow, until the effect wears off
- Asymmetry, over-correction, or under-correction
- Infection
- Allergic reaction
- The need for repeat treatments to maintain results
Comfort during treatment
A topical numbing product can be applied to the treatment area before the procedure to reduce discomfort. Most patients describe the sensation as a brief pinch or pressure at each injection point. Treatment time is short, typically in the order of 10 to 15 minutes for the injection itself.
When effects are visible
Effects of treatment are not immediate. Most patients begin to notice change in the treated area within three to ten days of treatment, with the full effect visible by around two weeks. Effects are temporary and typically last in the order of three to four months. The full list of risks relevant to your specific situation is explained at your consultation.
Volume restoration
Volume restoration is a non-surgical option used to address areas of the face where volume has been lost over time, or where the contour of an area can be subtly changed without surgery. The treatment involves injectable products placed in specific facial planes, with the placement and product type determined by the area being addressed.
Areas commonly discussed
In consultation, volume restoration is typically discussed in the context of:
- Cheek and midface volume
- Lines between the nose and mouth
- Lip volume and contour
- The tear trough and under-eye area, in selected cases
- Jawline and chin contour, in selected cases
Suitability depends on your individual anatomy, the area you want to address, and your medical history. Volume restoration is not suitable for every patient, and not every concern is best addressed with volume restoration. Some concerns are better matched to a surgical conversation with Dr Turner, and we will tell you when that is the case.
What we cannot describe on this page
The same advertising rules that apply to anti-wrinkle treatments apply here. We cannot name specific products, list prices, or show before-and-after images for volume restoration treatments on this page. These details are discussed during your consultation.
Risks
Volume restoration treatments carry risks. These can include:
- Bruising, swelling, redness, and tenderness at the injection site
- Lumps, nodules, or visible product
- Asymmetry, over-correction, or under-correction
- Migration of product
- Vascular complications including, in rare cases, tissue injury or visual disturbance if product enters or compresses a blood vessel. This is the most serious of the recognised risks and is discussed in detail at consultation.
- Infection
- Allergic reaction
- The need for repeat treatments to maintain results, and in some cases the use of an enzyme to dissolve product
Comfort during treatment
A topical numbing product is applied to the treatment area before the procedure, and some volume restoration products contain a small amount of local anaesthetic. Most patients tolerate treatment well, with some pressure and brief pinching at each injection point.
Duration of effect varies depending on the product, the area treated, and individual factors. Results are temporary, and in some situations, products can be dissolved using an enzyme if results are not as expected, although this is discussed only in the context of an individual consultation.
Cooling-off period for injectable treatments
In line with the Medical Board of Australia’s guidelines, a cooling-off period applies between consultation and treatment for new patients considering anti-wrinkle treatments or volume restoration. Our team will explain how this works at your first consultation.
Patient age and suitability
Anti-wrinkle treatments and volume restoration are available to patients aged 18 and over, after an individual consultation. Every consultation includes a review of your medical history, current medications, any prior cosmetic treatments, allergies, pregnancy or breastfeeding status, and a discussion of what you are looking to address. If we do not believe an injectable treatment is appropriate for you, we will say so.
What to expect at a Medispa consultation
Whether you are coming in for a skin assessment, a peel, dermal needling, or to discuss an injectable treatment, the structure of an initial consultation is similar.
- Pre-consultation paperwork. You will be asked to complete a medical history form covering current and past medications, prior cosmetic treatments, allergies, pregnancy or breastfeeding status, and any active skin or medical conditions.
- Skin or facial assessment. Our clinician will examine the area you want to address, and where appropriate the surrounding areas. For skin assessments, this typically includes a review of skin type, sun exposure history, sensitivity, active conditions, and existing skincare. For facial assessments related to injectable treatments, this includes a review of facial anatomy, muscle activity, areas of volume change, and any prior cosmetic treatments.
- Discussion. You will be asked what you are hoping to address and what you understand about the options available. This is a conversation, not a sales pitch.
- Honest assessment. If a non-surgical treatment is unlikely to give you what you are looking for, we will say so. In some cases that means recommending a different non-surgical option. In others it means suggesting a consultation with Dr Turner about a surgical procedure. In others it means recommending no treatment at all.
- Written treatment plan. If you decide to proceed, you will be given a written plan that sets out the treatment, the costs, the expected recovery, and the risks. You take this away and consider it before booking.
There is no expectation that you will book a treatment at your first consultation, and there is no pressure to do so.
Costs
Costs vary by treatment, by the products used, and by the number of sessions involved in a course. We do not list prices on this page because doing so without context can be misleading, and for injectable treatments, listing prices is not consistent with the Therapeutic Goods Administration’s rules. Your written treatment plan will include all costs for your specific situation, with no obligation to proceed.
What non-surgical treatments can and cannot do
Non-surgical treatments work on the surface and mid-layers of the skin, on muscle activity, or on volume within specific tissue planes. They will not produce the same outcome as a surgical procedure, and they are not a substitute for surgery in patients whose primary concern is significant skin laxity or structural change.
Where they are useful, non-surgical treatments can address skin quality, certain types of lines, and selected concerns within their scope. Where they are not, we will tell you, and we will not recommend them simply because they are available.
This honest framing is the same approach we take to surgical consultations with Dr Turner. The right starting point is a conversation about what you want to address and what is realistic.
Book a Medispa consultation in Sydney
Medispa by Dr Turner is available at our Bondi Junction clinic in the Eastern Suburbs and our Manly clinic on the Northern Beaches. To book an appointment or to ask a question before you book, please contact our reception team or call 1300 437 758.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a referral to book a Medispa consultation?
No referral is required for a Medispa consultation. You can contact our reception team directly to book an appointment at either our Bondi Junction (Eastern Suburbs) or Manly (Northern Beaches) clinic. If you have an existing GP or dermatologist who has shared notes or imaging with you, bringing that information to your appointment is helpful but not required.
Who performs the treatments at Medispa by Dr Turner?
Treatments are delivered by trained clinicians working within Dr Turner’s practice. Dr Turner is involved in the clinical oversight of the services offered, and prescription treatments, including anti-wrinkle treatments and volume restoration, follow the prescribing and consultation requirements set by the Medical Board of Australia. At your first appointment, you will be told who will be performing your specific treatment.
Are non-surgical treatments a substitute for surgery?
In most cases, no. Non-surgical treatments work on the skin, on muscle activity, or on volume in specific tissue planes. They will not produce the same outcome as a surgical procedure such as a facelift, blepharoplasty, or breast surgery. They can be useful in their own right for certain concerns, and they can sometimes support outcomes before or after surgery, but they are not designed to replace surgical procedures in patients whose concerns are structural.
How do I know which treatment is right for me?
You will not know with certainty until you have had an individual assessment. A general guide: skin texture, surface lines, and pigmentation often respond to a combination of skincare, peels, and dermal needling. Lines that appear with facial movement are often discussed in the context of anti-wrinkle treatments, and concerns about lost volume or contour are often discussed in the context of volume restoration, both after consultation. Structural changes are usually a surgical conversation. Our clinicians at our Eastern Suburbs and Northern Beaches clinics will go through your specific situation at your consultation.
What happens if I don't see the results I expected?
This is something we ask about routinely at follow-up. Some treatments take time to show their full effect, particularly collagen-based treatments like dermal needling, where change continues over weeks. If a treatment has not produced what was discussed in your written plan, we will review your situation, look at whether additional sessions are appropriate, and discuss whether a different option may be a better fit. We do not guarantee specific outcomes, in line with the Medical Board of Australia’s guidance, and any photographs we discuss are illustrative of one patient’s experience, not a forecast of yours.
Are non-surgical treatments suitable during pregnancy or breastfeeding?
Many treatments are not recommended during pregnancy or breastfeeding, either because the relevant safety data is limited or because there is no good clinical reason to take on any risk during this period. Anti-wrinkle treatments, volume restoration, certain medical-grade skincare ingredients, and most peels fall into this category. If you are pregnant, planning a pregnancy, or breastfeeding, please mention this when booking so the appropriate consultation can be arranged.
Can non-surgical treatments be combined with surgery?
Sometimes, yes. In some cases, LED light therapy or specific skincare regimens are recommended after a surgical procedure to support healing. In others, treatments such as peels or dermal needling may be discussed for the months leading up to surgery, depending on the procedure and your skin. Any combined plan is coordinated between your surgical consultation with Dr Turner and the Medispa team.
What does a Medispa consultation cost?
Consultation fees are confirmed at the time of booking and depend on the type of appointment you are scheduling, for example, a skin assessment versus an injectable consultation. Our reception team will give you the current fee before you book, with no obligation to proceed.
Practice contact details Bondi Junction (Eastern Suburbs): 39 Grosvenor Street, Bondi Junction NSW 2022 Manly (Northern Beaches): Suite 504, Level 5, 39 East Esplanade, Manly NSW 2095 Phone: 1300 437 758 Email: [email protected]
