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Non-surgical procedure

Cosmetic dermatology in Australia.

๐Ÿ’ฐ Cosmetic dermatology cost guide 2026 โ†’

Cosmetic dermatology covers the medical-aesthetic services performed by Specialist Dermatologists, including injectables, laser and light-based treatments, peels, prescription topicals (tretinoin, hydroquinone), and cosmetic procedures performed alongside medical dermatology (skin cancer screening, eczema management, etc.). Specialist Dermatologists are AHPRA-registered medical practitioners with at least 12 years of training including a 4-year accredited dermatology training program.

Editorial illustration for our cosmetic dermatology guide โ€” non-surgical cosmetic procedure overview, cost, and AHPRA-registered practitioners in Australia. Decorative; not a depiction of patients or results.

By the numbers

Cosmetic dermatology in Australia โ€” at a glance

Cosmetic dermatology โ€” Australia infographic Programmatic infographic showing the typical cost, recovery, clinic count and risk profile for cosmetic dermatology in Australia. Data only; not a depiction of any patient or outcome. NON-SURGICAL PROCEDURE ยท AUSTRALIA Cosmetic dermatology ยท Australia TYPICAL AUSTRALIAN COST $200 โ€“ $5,000 Range scaled to $5k ceiling RECOVERY (FIRST 4 WEEKS) 1 day AHPRA-LISTED CLINICS 790 across 15 cities DOCUMENTED RISKS 4 covered in our editorial guide AHPRA-compliant directory C cosmeticsurgeryclinics.com.au

Numbers reflect this directory's coverage at build time. Costs are typical Australian ranges; recovery is the median for this procedure type. AHPRA-compliant illustration only โ€” no patient depiction.

Find cosmetic dermatology

790 clinics across Australia

Listed by city, Aโ€“Z. Premium and verified clinics appear first within each city.

Cosmetic dermatology in Adelaide

58 clinics
See all in Adelaide โ†’

+ 49 more clinics in Adelaide โ†’

Cosmetic dermatology in Brisbane

59 clinics
See all in Brisbane โ†’

+ 50 more clinics in Brisbane โ†’

Cosmetic dermatology in Cairns

39 clinics
See all in Cairns โ†’

+ 30 more clinics in Cairns โ†’

Cosmetic dermatology in Canberra

48 clinics
See all in Canberra โ†’

+ 39 more clinics in Canberra โ†’

Cosmetic dermatology in Darwin

38 clinics
See all in Darwin โ†’

+ 29 more clinics in Darwin โ†’

Cosmetic dermatology in Geelong

52 clinics
See all in Geelong โ†’

+ 43 more clinics in Geelong โ†’

Cosmetic dermatology in Gold Coast

66 clinics
See all in Gold Coast โ†’

+ 57 more clinics in Gold Coast โ†’

Cosmetic dermatology in Hobart

36 clinics
See all in Hobart โ†’

+ 27 more clinics in Hobart โ†’

Cosmetic dermatology in Melbourne

59 clinics
See all in Melbourne โ†’

+ 50 more clinics in Melbourne โ†’

Cosmetic dermatology in Newcastle

54 clinics
See all in Newcastle โ†’

+ 45 more clinics in Newcastle โ†’

Cosmetic dermatology in Perth

50 clinics
See all in Perth โ†’

+ 41 more clinics in Perth โ†’

Cosmetic dermatology in Sunshine Coast

48 clinics
See all in Sunshine Coast โ†’

+ 39 more clinics in Sunshine Coast โ†’

Cosmetic dermatology in Sydney

94 clinics
See all in Sydney โ†’

+ 85 more clinics in Sydney โ†’

Cosmetic dermatology in Townsville

39 clinics
See all in Townsville โ†’

+ 30 more clinics in Townsville โ†’

Cosmetic dermatology in Wollongong

50 clinics
See all in Wollongong โ†’

+ 41 more clinics in Wollongong โ†’

Editorial guide

What is cosmetic dermatology?

Cosmetic dermatology is the aesthetic-focused work of Specialist Dermatologists โ€” covering injectables, lasers and light-based treatments, peels, prescription topicals, and cosmetic adjuncts to medical dermatology. The discipline overlaps with both cosmetic medicine and surgical aesthetic practice; what differentiates the specialist dermatologist is the depth of training in skin disease, which is particularly valuable when a cosmetic concern overlaps with an underlying skin condition.

How cosmetic dermatology works

Most dermatology practices operate on a referred-consultation model: a GP or another specialist refers the patient to the dermatologist, who performs an initial consultation including history, full skin examination, and treatment planning. Cosmetic procedures are then scheduled separately or, for simpler treatments, performed at the consultation.

Who is cosmetic dermatology for?

Anyone seeking cosmetic treatment where there is overlap with a medical skin condition (acne, rosacea, melasma, photoageing with concerning lesions); anyone with unusual or worsening skin signs that warrant a specialist diagnosis; or anyone who simply prefers to have aesthetic care delivered by a Specialist Dermatologist.

What drives the cost

Initial consultation (often Medicare-rebatable when medical assessment is involved): $200โ€“$400. Follow-up: $100โ€“$250. Procedures priced separately, in line with cosmetic-medicine market rates ($300โ€“$5,000 per session depending on procedure).

Recovery and downtime

Procedure-specific. Most cosmetic dermatology procedures have minimal downtime; ablative treatments and some peels have more significant recovery (covered in the procedure-specific pages).

Choosing a practitioner

Confirm 'Specialist registration: Dermatology' on the AHPRA register. The Australasian College of Dermatologists list of Fellows is a useful additional check. Ask about the practitioner's specific cosmetic interests โ€” some specialise in injectables, others in laser, others in pigmentation. A specialist may not be the right fit for every cosmetic indication, and an honest practitioner will sometimes refer you elsewhere.

Before you book

Red flags

What cosmetic dermatology costs in Australia

Itemised view of where the $200 โ€“ $5,000 typically goes. Quoted prices vary by surgeon experience, hospital, and case complexity โ€” these shares are indicative.

Component Typical share Indicative range
Practitioner fee 60% $100 โ€“ $3,000
Product cost 30% $50 โ€“ $1,500
Consultation and follow-up 8% $0 โ€“ $400
Clinic operating cost 2% $0 โ€“ $100
Total 100% $200 โ€“ $5,000

Source: editorial estimates based on Australian Medical Association advisory notes and publicly disclosed clinic schedules. Actual quotes will vary; ask your surgeon for an itemised written quote before paying any deposit.

Cosmetic dermatology recovery timeline

A typical recovery curve. Individual recovery varies โ€” confirm specific milestones with your surgeon's post-operative plan.

Day 0 Day 0 Day 1 Day 1 Day 2
  1. Day 0

    Procedure day.

    Work OK No exercise
  2. Day 0

    Early recovery.

    Work OK No exercise
  3. Day 1

    Halfway point.

    Desk work OK Light only
  4. Day 1

    End of standard recovery window.

    Work OK Light only
  5. Day 2

    Final result and return to all activities.

    Work OK Normal

Risk profile for cosmetic dermatology

How the most-discussed risks for cosmetic dermatology sit on a frequency-by-severity grid. All cosmetic procedures carry risk; the goal of this view is to help you ask better consent questions, not to dismiss any single complication as unlikely.

Frequency \\ Severity MildModerateSerious
Common โ€” โ€” โ€”
Uncommon โ€”
  • Procedure-specific risks (depending on the specific treatment performed)
  • Cost without benefit if treatment is mismatched to indication
  • Side effects of prescription topicals (irritation, photosensitivity)
  • Pigment changes from laser or chemical treatment, especially in darker skin
โ€”
Rare โ€” โ€” โ€”

Frequency and severity classifications are editorial summaries based on Australian Society of Plastic Surgeons consent literature and TGA / AHPRA guidance. Your surgeon should explain each risk individually as part of the formal informed-consent process โ€” this matrix is a starting point for the conversation, not a substitute.

By location

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Cosmetic dermatology by state

FAQ

Common questions

What's the difference between a cosmetic dermatologist and a cosmetic doctor?

A 'Specialist Dermatologist' is an AHPRA-registered medical specialist who has completed at least 12 years of medical training including a 4-year accredited dermatology training program overseen by the Australasian College of Dermatologists. A 'cosmetic doctor' or 'cosmetic physician' is a medical practitioner working in cosmetic medicine without specialist registration. Both can be appropriate for non-surgical aesthetic treatment, but the specialist dermatologist has dramatically more clinical training and is the appropriate practitioner when there is any diagnostic uncertainty (suspicious skin lesion, unusual rash, complex pigmentation issue).

Why see a dermatologist for cosmetic treatment?

When the cosmetic concern overlaps with a medical condition โ€” adult acne, melasma, rosacea, suspicious pigmentation, atopic dermatitis โ€” a Specialist Dermatologist can assess and treat both at once. For pure aesthetic refinement (anti-wrinkle injections, simple filler, chemical peel), a Specialist Dermatologist is one of several appropriate options.

Are dermatologist appointments Medicare-rebatable?

Initial dermatology consultations and most medical-dermatology services attract Medicare item numbers. Cosmetic-only consultations may or may not โ€” depending on whether the consultation involves any medical assessment. Discuss with your GP and the dermatology practice.

Can a Specialist Dermatologist refer me to a Specialist Plastic Surgeon if needed?

Yes. Many dermatology and plastic-surgery practices have established referral relationships and will refer appropriately when surgical management is preferable. A combined dermatology + plastic surgery approach is often optimal for skin cancer and complex aesthetic concerns.

How do I confirm a dermatologist is a specialist?

Search the AHPRA register at ahpra.gov.au and confirm the practitioner has 'Specialist registration: Dermatology'. The Australasian College of Dermatologists also lists Fellows on its public register. Practitioners using the term 'dermatology' without specialist registration may not have the same training.

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