For Dr Rachel Lee, Clinical Director of Ponsonby Doctors, looking after your skin is about understanding the bigger picture.

With a doctor-led approach combining medical expertise, advanced technology and a deep understanding of facial anatomy, Dr Lee is known for subtle, considered treatments where natural-looking results always come first.

Ponsonby Doctors treats everything from acne, rosacea and pigmentation to wrinkles, skin laxity, deep scarring from acne or surgery, and stretch marks, while offering skin checks, biopsies, mole removal and specialised treatments for conditions such as keloid scarring.

On the appearance medicine side, the clinic offers injectables, skin boosters and biostimulators, cellulite and fat-dissolving treatments, alongside an extensive suite of advanced laser and energy-based technologies.

What was the thinking behind Ponsonby Doctors?

“We wanted to create a holistic, 360-degree approach to managing skin wellbeing,” says Rachel. “We believe in combining medical and procedural treatments where appropriate to achieve the best result for the patient.”

New patients ideally begin with a comprehensive 45-minute consultation covering their medical and skin history, goals and practical considerations such as tolerance for downtime. Their skin is then assessed using dermatological tools and AI-assisted analysis before a treatment plan is developed.

“Patients often come in requesting one specific treatment, but their perception of what they actually need changes once we have had that comprehensive discussion.”

The approach also means patients can seek advice earlier, rather than waiting for a relatively manageable skin concern to become more difficult to treat. While simple and early problems can often be managed through a GP and good basic skincare, some conditions respond particularly well to timely medical or laser intervention.

The doctor is particularly excited by the growing field of regenerative aesthetics, including combination treatments using biostimulators alongside products such as hyaluronic acid or collagen. The idea is to combine an immediate improvement in hydration, glow and lifting with longer-term stimulation of the skin’s own collagen production.

One of the clinic’s standout technologies is EndoliftX®, a minimally invasive laser treatment that uses a tiny micro-optic fibre beneath the skin to directly contract and tighten tissue while stimulating collagen production. Fifty percent of results can be visible immediately, with further improvement over the following months as the skin remodels.

Ponsonby Doctors is home to New Zealand and Australasia’s first Endolift device, with Rachel having undertaken specialist overseas training in the technology. It can be used on the face as well as areas of the body affected by laxity or stubborn fat.

So, where does laser fit into the picture?

“Lasers are great for correcting specific conditions. The important thing is choosing the right technology for the right condition being treated and the individual.”

Different laser technologies can target pigmentation, rosacea, acne scarring, wrinkles and skin texture, while the clinic also offers treatments including CO2 laser for medical grade skin and scar resurfacing, radiofrequency microneedling, Ultraformer MPT and TriLift.

“People sometimes think they need a particular treatment, but the best approach is to understand their skin first and then determine what will actually deliver the result they want.”

And that philosophy extends to everyday skincare. Lee recommends keeping things simple and consistent: a good cleanser, actives such as vitamin C in the morning, vitamin A at night, moisturiser and, above all, sunscreen.

“Regular, gentle maintenance is much easier than waiting until there is significant photoageing and damage that requires more aggressive treatment and downtime.”

For Ponsonby Doctors, it’s ultimately about taking the long-term view: treating problems when they arise, protecting the skin from future damage, and combining medical expertise with increasingly sophisticated technology to keep skin healthy at every stage of life.