Frequently Asked Questions About Our Aesthetic Clinic in Hale
Welcome to our Frequently Asked Questions page.
Here you’ll find answers to some of the questions we’re asked most often about our clinic, consultations, treatments, pricing and booking.
If you can’t find what you’re looking for, please get in touch. Louise will be happy to help with any general enquiries before your appointment.
About Us
Who are we at Dr Caroline Warden Skin & Aesthetic Clinic?
Dr Caroline Warden Skin & Aesthetic Clinic is a doctor-led, family-run clinic in Hale, Altrincham, founded and run by sisters Dr Caroline Warden and Louise Devereux.
Our approach is centred around natural, considered results. Rather than following trends or offering an extensive menu of treatments, we focus on carefully selected, evidence-informed treatments designed to support skin health, restore balance and help you look refreshed without looking overtreated.
As an NHS GP and aesthetic doctor, Dr Caroline brings a medically grounded, holistic approach to every consultation. Treatment planning takes into account your individual anatomy, skin quality, medical history, lifestyle and longer-term goals, with safety and realistic expectations always at the forefront.
Dr Caroline uses established products from reputable manufacturers and selects treatments according to the individual patient, current clinical evidence and UK regulatory requirements.
Louise Devereux, Creative Director and Patient Coordinator, has an extensive background in the luxury service industry and a particular passion for skincare and patient experience. From your first enquiry through to follow-up, Louise helps ensure that every visit feels personal, welcoming and thoughtfully organised.
Together, Caroline and Louise have created a clinic that feels intentionally different: quiet, personal and unhurried, with continuity of care and an emphasis on doing what is right for each individual patient.
What are Dr Caroline Warden’s qualifications?
Dr Caroline Warden has been an NHS doctor for over 18 years and has worked as a GP for the past nine years, alongside her work in aesthetic medicine.
She holds a Level 7 Postgraduate Diploma in Cosmetic Injectables from the Harley Academy in London, providing advanced postgraduate training in facial anatomy, consultation, treatment planning, injectable procedures and complication management.
Her wider medical career has included experience across intensive care, emergency medicine, surgery, psychiatry, obstetrics and gynaecology, as well as two years working in emergency medicine in Australia.
This broad medical background continues to shape the way Dr Caroline practises aesthetic medicine today: with an emphasis on careful assessment, appropriate treatment selection, patient safety and natural-looking outcomes.
Treatments
What treatments do you offer?
We offer a carefully selected range of medical aesthetic and skin treatments at our clinic in Hale, Altrincham.
These include:
Dermal fillers for selected areas including the lips, cheeks, chin and jawline
Chemical peels including the Obagi Blue Peel Radiance and The Perfect Peel
We do not believe in offering every treatment available. Instead, Dr Caroline focuses on treatments she feels offer a meaningful balance of evidence, safety, patient satisfaction and natural-looking results.
The aim is not to change how you look, but to improve skin quality, restore proportion where appropriate and help you look refreshed while still looking like yourself.
Are your treatments suitable for sensitive skin or rosacea-prone skin?
Some treatments may be suitable for patients with sensitive or reactive skin, but this depends on the individual and the condition of the skin at the time of treatment.
Dr Caroline will assess your skin, medical history, current skincare and previous reactions before recommending treatment.
If your skin barrier is compromised, very inflamed or particularly reactive, treatment may need to be delayed or a gentler approach recommended first.
Where symptoms suggest an underlying dermatological condition requiring medical diagnosis or treatment, we may advise you to speak to your GP or dermatologist.
What are exosomes?
Exosomes are small extracellular vesicles involved in cell-to-cell communication.
They are increasingly being studied in aesthetic medicine as an adjunct to procedures such as microneedling, with interest in their potential role in supporting skin quality, texture and recovery.
At our clinic, exosomes may be combined with microneedling where appropriate as part of a broader skin-rejuvenation plan.
Research in this area is still developing, so Dr Caroline will discuss the available evidence, expected benefits and limitations with you before treatment.
What downtime should I expect after treatment?
Downtime varies depending on the treatment, the area treated and your individual response.
Treatments for lines and wrinkles:
Usually minimal downtime. Small areas of redness, swelling or bruising can occasionally occur.
Dermal fillers:
Mild swelling, tenderness or bruising is common and may last several days. Lip treatments in particular can produce more noticeable swelling initially.
Microneedling:
The skin commonly looks pink or mildly sunburnt for around 24–48 hours, although this can sometimes last longer.
Polynucleotides:
Small areas of swelling, redness or visible injection points are common initially, particularly around the eyes. These usually settle over the following few days.
You will be given treatment-specific aftercare following your appointment.
What does “doctor-led aesthetic clinic” mean?
At Dr Caroline Warden Skin & Aesthetic Clinic, your consultation, assessment and injectable treatments are carried out by Dr Caroline Warden, an NHS GP and aesthetic doctor.
A medical background is particularly valuable in aesthetic medicine because it supports:
thorough medical assessment
detailed knowledge of facial anatomy
appropriate treatment selection
recognition and management of complications
safe prescribing where prescription medicines are involved
realistic discussion of benefits, limitations and alternatives
Our approach is deliberately conservative and consultation-led. If Dr Caroline does not feel a treatment is appropriate or likely to give you a worthwhile result, she will tell you.
How long do aesthetic treatment results last?
Longevity varies considerably depending on the treatment, product, area treated and the individual patient.
As a general guide:
Dermal fillers:
Often around 9–18 months, although this varies significantly according to the product and treatment area.
Profhilo and other skin boosters:
Results are usually maintained with periodic treatments following the initial course.
Polynucleotides:
Most patients complete an initial treatment course followed by maintenance treatments according to their skin and goals.
Microneedling:
Skin improvements develop gradually following a course of treatment. Maintenance treatments may be recommended every few months depending on your skin.
Sculptra and Radiesse:
These treatments work differently from traditional fillers and are used to support collagen stimulation and, in selected cases, structural support or volume restoration. Results develop gradually and treatment plans are individualised.
Your consultation will include a more personalised discussion of expected longevity and maintenance.
Do you offer treatments for skin changes associated with perimenopause and menopause?
Yes. Many women notice changes in their skin during their 40s and 50s, including increased dryness, changes in texture, pigmentation, loss of firmness and facial volume changes.
Rather than treating menopause as a single aesthetic concern, Dr Caroline assesses the specific changes affecting your skin and face and creates an individual treatment plan.
Depending on your concerns, options may include:
Polynucleotides
Skin boosters
Microneedling
Chemical peels
Medical-grade skincare
Dermal fillers where appropriate
Sculptra or Radiesse for selected patients
The emphasis is on skin quality, natural-looking restoration and realistic treatment planning, rather than trying to reverse every visible sign of ageing.
Pricing & Booking
How much are your treatments?
Our prices reflect the time, expertise and medical oversight involved in providing a doctor-led aesthetic service in Hale, Altrincham.
You can view our full treatment price list here:
We also have a separate price list for Obagi medical-grade skincare, which is available following appropriate consultation and skin assessment.
Do I need a consultation before treatment?
We recommend that new patients begin with a consultation with Dr Caroline.
The consultation fee of £75 is fully redeemable against a future treatment, excluding skincare products.
Your consultation is an opportunity to discuss what is concerning you without any pressure to proceed with treatment. Dr Caroline will review your medical history, assess the relevant areas and talk through what may — or may not — be appropriate for you.
Depending on your concerns, this may include:
reviewing your medical history and previous aesthetic treatments
assessing your skin, facial anatomy and proportions
discussing your goals and expectations
explaining the available treatment options, benefits and limitations
creating a personalised treatment plan
If treatment is appropriate and sufficient time has been allocated, some treatments may be carried out at the same appointment.
Equally, if Dr Caroline does not feel treatment is necessary or likely to give you a worthwhile result, she will tell you.
How do I book an appointment?
If you are ready to book, appointments can be made directly through our secure online booking system:
If you would prefer to ask a question before booking, you can:
complete our online enquiry form
WhatsApp us on 07775 127052
Louise, our Patient Coordinator, is usually your first point of contact and will be happy to help with general appointment and treatment enquiries.
What are your opening hours?
Our regular clinic hours are:
Tuesday: 10am–6pm
Wednesdays 10am-7pm
Friday: 2.30pm–9pm
Saturday: 10am–6pm
We also offer selected Sunday appointments throughout the year.
Appointments are by advance booking only.
Visiting the Clinic
Where are you located?
Dr Caroline Warden Skin & Aesthetic Clinic
2 Crown Passages
Hale
Altrincham
WA15 9GN
Our clinic is discreetly located just off the high street in the centre of Hale, Altrincham, within easy reach of Bowdon, Wilmslow, Sale, Knutsford and the wider Cheshire and South Manchester area.
Is there parking?
Yes. Cecil Road Car Park is directly opposite the clinic, making access straightforward and discreet.
There is also additional parking available within Hale village.
What should I do when I arrive?
Simply ring the clinic doorbell and come into our private waiting area.
We will send you any relevant appointment information beforehand, and you will have a direct contact number should you need assistance on the day.
Because we are an appointment-only clinic, your visit is designed to feel quiet, private and unhurried.
During Your Treatment
Will Dr Caroline tell me if I don’t need treatment?
Yes. A consultation does not mean there is any expectation for you to go ahead with treatment.
Dr Caroline will assess your concerns, facial anatomy, skin, medical history and previous treatments before discussing the options available to you. If she does not feel a treatment is necessary, appropriate or likely to give you a worthwhile result, she will tell you.
Sometimes the best recommendation may be to leave an area untreated, focus on skin health first, consider a different approach, or simply do nothing at all.
Our aim is always to provide honest, considered advice and only recommend treatment where there is a clear and realistic benefit.
Will my treatment hurt?
Comfort varies between treatments and between individuals, but we take several steps to make your experience as comfortable as possible.
Depending on the procedure, this may include:
very fine needles or cannulas selected for the treatment
dermal filler products containing local anaesthetic
topical anaesthetic where appropriate
cooling, vibration and other distraction techniques
additional reassurance and support throughout your appointment
Louise is also frequently present during appointments and is particularly good at providing distraction, reassurance — and a hand to hold if you would like one.
Many patients tell us their treatment was more comfortable than they expected.
Aftercare, Results & Safety
How do I pay?
Payment can be made securely by card or bank transfer at the clinic.
We are a cashless clinic.
What happens if I have a concern after treatment?
You will receive treatment-specific aftercare advice and clear information about what to expect following your procedure.
You will also be given a direct contact number so that you can reach us if you are concerned about anything following treatment.
If Dr Caroline feels that you require assessment or follow-up relating to a treatment performed at the clinic, this will be arranged promptly.
Patient safety and continuity of care are central to the way we practise.
What happens if there is a complication?
Complications following aesthetic treatment are uncommon, but no medical procedure is completely without risk.
As a doctor-led clinic, Dr Caroline is trained to recognise, assess and manage complications associated with the treatments she performs.
If a complication related to your treatment occurs, you will be given appropriate clinical advice, assessment and management. Where onward medical care is required, Dr Caroline will advise you accordingly.
What if I am unhappy with my result?
Aesthetic medicine cannot guarantee a particular cosmetic outcome, which is why realistic expectations and careful treatment planning are discussed before treatment.
If you have any concerns about your result, we encourage you to contact the clinic so that Dr Caroline can assess you and discuss the appropriate next steps.
Dermal filler can sometimes be dissolved using hyaluronidase where clinically appropriate.
If dissolving is required for the management of a complication arising from treatment performed at our clinic, there is no additional charge. Dissolving filler for personal preference or treatment performed elsewhere may incur a fee.
Can I have aesthetic treatment during pregnancy or breastfeeding?
As a clinic policy, we do not perform elective aesthetic injectable or skin treatments during pregnancy or while breastfeeding.
We would be very happy to see you once this period has passed and advise you on the most appropriate treatment options at that stage.
What age do I need to be to have treatment?
You must be 18 years or older to receive aesthetic treatment at our clinic.
Proof of age may be requested where appropriate.
