What Happens During Your Consultation? A Complete Guide to Your Appointment

Written by Dr Arsalan Baig

One of the most common questions we receive at the clinic is:

“What actually happens during the consultation?”

Whether you’re considering hair restoration, facial rejuvenation, SkinTight™, DBL™, filler removal or another cosmetic procedure, your consultation is one of the most important parts of your treatment journey.

It is far more than simply deciding whether you are suitable for treatment. A consultation is an opportunity for us to understand your concerns, assess your anatomy, explain your options honestly, and create a personalised treatment plan that prioritises both safety and natural-looking results.

Below, we’ll explain exactly what you can expect.

Why Is the Consultation So Important?

Every patient is different. Even if two people have similar concerns, their facial anatomy, skin quality, medical history, previous treatments and aesthetic goals may all be completely different.

Our consultations are designed to answer one simple question:

“What is the safest and most effective way to achieve your goals?”

• Sometimes the answer is the treatment you initially enquired about.
• Sometimes there is a better option.
• Occasionally, the safest recommendation may even be not to proceed with treatment.

Our priority is always achieving the right outcome rather than simply performing a procedure.

Online Consultations

Many patients begin with an online consultation, particularly those travelling from elsewhere in the UK or overseas.

An online consultation allows us to:

• Discuss your concerns in detail
• Review your medical history
• Assess photographs or live video where appropriate
• Understand your expectations
• Explain potential treatment options
• Discuss expected recovery
• Provide an estimate of costs
• Answer any initial questions

Online consultations are particularly useful for:

• Hair transplantation
• Hairline lowering
• Facial rejuvenation
• Body contouring
• SkinTight™
• DBL™
• Scar revision
• Filler correction

Although online consultations are extremely valuable, they do have limitations. Lighting, camera angles and image quality can affect assessment, and certain anatomical details can only be evaluated in person. For this reason, a final assessment is always performed before treatment.

Face-to-Face Consultations

Your in-person consultation provides the most comprehensive assessment. During your appointment we carefully examine the treatment area while considering your overall facial harmony and anatomy. This allows us to develop a treatment plan that is tailored specifically to you.

Depending on the procedure, your consultation may include:

Medical History

Your clinician will discuss:

• Previous cosmetic treatments
• Medical conditions
• Current medications
• Allergies
• Previous surgery
• Healing history
• Smoking status
• Lifestyle factors

This information helps us ensure treatment is appropriate and safe.

Understanding Your Goals

One of the most important parts of the consultation is simply talking. We want to understand:

• What concerns you most?
• What changes would make the biggest difference to your confidence?
• What treatments have you previously had?
• What result are you hoping to achieve?

Many patients arrive believing they need a particular treatment. However, after assessment we may recommend something completely different if we believe it will produce a better, more natural result.

Clinical Assessment

Your clinician will carefully assess the treatment area. Depending on the procedure this may include:

Facial Procedures

• Facial proportions
• Facial symmetry
• Skin quality
• Volume loss
• Muscle movement
• Bone structure
• Skin laxity
• Dynamic facial expressions

Hair Restoration & Hairline Lowering

Assessment includes:

• Hair density
• Donor area quality
• Hair calibre
• Hairline design
• Scalp laxity
• Pattern of hair loss
• Future progression of hair loss
• Family history

Rather than focusing only on today’s appearance, we plan for how your hair is likely to age over time.

DBL™

For DBL™ consultations we assess:

• Degree of buttock dimpling
• Skin quality
• Fibrous tethering
• Distribution of cellulite
• Previous treatments
• Overall body proportions

Every patient’s cellulite pattern is unique, meaning treatment must be individualised.

SkinTight™

For SkinTight™ we evaluate:

• Skin laxity
• Collagen quality
• Areas of volume loss
• Tissue thickness
• Expected skin contraction
• Suitability for collagen stimulation

Filler Dissolving

Patients requesting filler removal require particularly careful assessment. We evaluate:

• Type of filler previously used
• Location of filler
• Duration since treatment
• Presence of migration
• Asymmetry
• Lumps or irregularities
• Vascular safety

Not all fillers require dissolving, and in some cases alternative management may provide a better outcome.

Treatment Planning

Once your assessment is complete, we discuss your personalised treatment plan. This includes:

• Recommended treatment
• Alternative options
• Number of sessions required
• Expected improvements
• Limitations of treatment
• Recovery period
• Possible risks and complications
• Costs
• Expected timeline for results

Our aim is to ensure you fully understand both the benefits and limitations before making any decisions.

Questions and Answers

We encourage every patient to ask as many questions as they wish. Common questions include:

• Will it hurt?
• How long is recovery?
• When will I see results?
• How natural will it look?
• How long will the results last?
• Are there alternatives?
• What are the risks?

There is never any pressure to proceed. A consultation is an opportunity to gather information so that you can make an informed decision.

Photography

Clinical photographs are usually taken during your consultation. These photographs help us:

• Document your starting point
• Plan treatment accurately
• Monitor progress
• Compare your final results

All clinical images are stored securely and handled confidentially in accordance with data protection regulations.

Consent

If treatment proceeds, your clinician will explain:

• The procedure
• Expected benefits
• Possible complications
• Alternative treatments
• Recovery instructions
• Aftercare

Only once you have had sufficient opportunity to ask questions and feel comfortable with your decision will informed consent be obtained.

When Treatment May Not Be Recommended

A consultation does not automatically lead to treatment. Sometimes the safest recommendation is to postpone treatment or not proceed at all. Examples include:

• Unrealistic expectations
• Medical contraindications
• Active infection
• Inadequate donor hair
• Poor skin quality requiring alternative management
• Recent cosmetic procedures
• Situations where treatment is unlikely to achieve the desired outcome

Our responsibility is always to act in your best interests.

After Your Consultation

Following your consultation you will leave with a clear understanding of:

• Your diagnosis
• Your treatment options
• Expected outcomes
• Recovery
• Costs
• Next steps

Many patients choose to proceed immediately, while others prefer to take time to consider their options. Either approach is entirely appropriate.

Your Consultation Is the Beginning of Your Journey

A successful cosmetic result begins long before treatment itself. It begins with listening, careful assessment, honest advice and meticulous planning.

Whether you are considering facial rejuvenation, hair restoration, SkinTight™, DBL™, filler correction or another cosmetic procedure, our consultation is designed to ensure that every treatment recommendation is personalised, evidence-based and centred around achieving natural, long-lasting results.

If you’re considering treatment and would like expert advice, we invite you to book a consultation with our team and begin your journey with confidence.