The 1 Health Difference: Evidence-Based Aesthetics Without Luxury Markup
When you're considering aesthetic treatments in Christchurch, you'll quickly notice significant price variations across clinics. A Botox treatment that costs $450 at one clinic might be $750 at another—same product, same outcomes, but vastly different price tags. So what accounts for these differences, and more importantly, what should you actually be paying for?
At 1 Health, we're introducing aesthetic treatments with a fundamentally different approach: evidence-based medicine without the luxury markup. Here's what that means for you, and why it matters.
The Hidden Cost of Luxury Aesthetics
Walk into many standalone aesthetic clinics in Christchurch and you'll immediately notice the investment in ambiance: marble reception desks, designer furniture, complimentary champagne, mood lighting, and spa-like environments. These clinics position themselves as luxury destinations, and their pricing reflects it.
But here's what patients often don't realize: you're paying for that marble desk with every syringe of Botox.
What You're Really Paying For at Luxury Clinics
High overhead costs:
- Premium commercial rent in fashionable locations
- Interior designers and ongoing fit-out expenses
- Luxury furnishings and regular refurbishments
- Complimentary beverages and amenities
- High-end marketing campaigns and professional photography
- Commission-based sales staff incentivized to upsell
The luxury positioning markup:
- Anti-wrinkle injections: $17-25 per unit (vs actual product cost ~$4/unit)
- Dermal fillers: 300-400% markup over product cost
- Skin boosters: $750-950 per treatment (vs product cost ~$280)
These clinics aren't necessarily providing better medical care—they're providing a luxury experience. And that experience comes at a significant premium.
The Marketing vs. Medicine Problem
Many standalone aesthetic clinics operate on a retail or spa business model rather than a medical model. This creates several concerns:
Commission-based sales culture:
- Staff may be incentivized to recommend more treatments than medically necessary
- Pressure to purchase packages or upgrade to premium products
- Focus on revenue targets rather than patient wellbeing
Marketing over medicine:
- Heavy investment in social media influencers and before/after content
- Emphasis on dramatic transformations rather than natural, appropriate results
- Brand positioning takes priority over clinical evidence
Aesthetic isolation:
- Treatments considered in isolation from overall health
- No integration with medical records or ongoing care
- Limited access to medical consultation for complications
Don't get us wrong—a pleasant environment matters. But should you pay double or triple for aesthetic treatments simply because the reception area has designer chairs?
The 1 Health Model: Medical Value Without the Markup
1 Health operates on a completely different philosophy: we're a comprehensive medical clinic that offers aesthetic services, not a luxury spa trying to add medical credibility.
What This Means for Your Wallet
Because we're an established GP medical clinic, we already have:
- Medical-grade facilities and equipment in place
- Qualified medical staff on payroll
- Comprehensive insurance and regulatory compliance
- Pharmacy-grade storage and handling systems
- Emergency equipment and protocols
We don't need to build these costs into aesthetic pricing—they're already there.
What You're NOT Sacrificing
Lower prices don't mean lower quality. At 1 Health, you still receive:
✓
Same pharmaceutical-grade products: All Medsafe and TGA-approved (Botox®, Dysport®, Xeomin®, Rejuran®, Juvelook®, NCTF, Sunekos®)
✓
Experienced practitioner: Jordan Zheng, well-established in Christchurch aesthetics
✓
Higher medical oversight: Dual supervision (LA Aire NZSCM-accredited doctors + Dr. Teo's Dermatology and Skin Cancer Surgery expertise)
✓
Medical clinic safety infrastructure: On-site GPs, emergency equipment, medical records integration
✓
Same treatment protocols: Evidence-based dosing and techniques
✓
Same or better results: Natural-looking outcomes with comprehensive medical support
What you're not paying for:
- Marble reception desks
- Champagne and mood lighting
- Instagram-focused marketing budgets
- Commission-based sales pressure
- Luxury location rent premiums
Evidence-Based Product Selection: Quality Over Marketing Hype
The aesthetic industry is full of marketing claims, trending treatments, and products promoted more for their Instagram appeal than their clinical evidence. At 1 Health, every product we offer meets strict criteria:
Our Product Selection Standards
1. Regulatory approval: Medsafe (NZ) and TGA (Australia) approved—non-negotiable
2. Clinical evidence: Published peer-reviewed studies demonstrating safety and efficacy
3. Established track record: Proven performance over years, not just marketing buzz
4. Appropriate indications: We only use products for their approved, evidence-based purposes
5. Quality assurance: Sourced through authorized pharmaceutical distributors with proper cold-chain management
Our Current Product Range: Evidence at a Glance
Anti-wrinkle injectables (Botulinum Toxin Type A):
Botox® (OnabotulinumtoxinA):
- FDA-approved since 1989 (medical use), 2002 (cosmetic)
- 30+ years of clinical data
- Gold standard with most extensive safety profile
- 3-4 month duration, predictable results
Dysport® (AbobotulinumtoxinA):
- TGA-approved, widely used in Australasia
- Slightly faster onset than Botox (2-3 days vs 3-5 days)
- Different diffusion characteristics (may benefit broader areas like forehead)
- Equivalent efficacy to Botox with 2.5-3:1 dosing conversion
Xeomin® (IncobotulinumtoxinA):
- "Naked" botulinum toxin (no complexing proteins)
- May reduce antibody formation risk in long-term users
- Similar efficacy profile to Botox
- Preferred by some patients with previous Botox resistance
Clinical bottom line: All three are safe, effective, and equivalent when dosed appropriately. Price differences reflect manufacturing and marketing, not clinical outcomes.
Microfillers / Skin Boosters:
Rejuran® Healer (Polynucleotide - PDRN):
- Korean patented salmon-derived polynucleotide technology
- Level Ib-IIb clinical evidence for tissue regeneration
- Stimulates fibroblast activity, increases collagen/elastin synthesis
- Clinical studies show: improved skin elasticity (20-30%), hydration (25-35%), wrinkle reduction (15-25%)
- Duration: 9-12 months with recommended 4-treatment protocol
- Particularly effective for: skin texture, acne scarring, photoaging
Juvelook® (Hyaluronic Acid + PDLLA):
- Dual-action: immediate hydration (HA) + progressive collagen stimulation (PDLLA)
- PDLLA is same biostimulator used in Sculptra® (FDA-approved since 2004)
- Progressive improvement over 3-6 months as collagen builds
- Duration: 12-18 months
- Clinical studies: significant improvement in skin thickness, elasticity, wrinkle depth
- Best for: collagen loss, skin laxity, overall facial rejuvenation
NCTF 135HA (Filorga):
- French pharmaceutical-grade formula: HA + 13 vitamins + 23 amino acids + 6 minerals + 6 coenzymes
- 10+ years clinical use in Europe
- 97% patient satisfaction in clinical trials
- Significant reduction in wrinkle depth, increased dermis density (ultrasound verified)
- Duration: 12+ months with 3-treatment protocol
- Best for: skin quality, radiance, hydration, fine lines
Teosyal Redensity 1:
- Swiss precision formula: non-crosslinked HA + 8 amino acids + 3 antioxidants + minerals
- Specifically designed for skin quality (not volumizing)
- Immediate and long-lasting hydration
- Clinical evidence: improves skin tone, texture, elasticity
- Duration: 12+ months
- Best for: delicate areas (under eyes, perioral), skin hydration
Sunekos® (Italian patented formula):
- Unique patented ratio of hyaluronic acid + 6 amino acids
- Stimulates natural collagen Type I and elastin production via fibroblast activation
- Clinical studies: significant improvement in skin elasticity, tone, hydration
- Non-crosslinked (no volumizing effect) = natural-looking skin quality improvement
- Particularly effective for under-eye hollows, periorbital wrinkles, delicate areas
- Duration: 6-12 months with 3-4 treatment protocol spaced 7-10 days apart
- FDA and European regulatory approved
What We Don't Offer (And Why)
We don't chase every trending treatment or unproven product that appears on social media. If there isn't robust clinical evidence or appropriate regulatory approval, we won't offer it—even if competitors do.
Trendy but unproven: We wait for clinical evidence, not Instagram buzz
Off-label use without evidence: Products used only for their approved, studied indications
"Lunchtime procedures" with unknown safety profiles: If long-term safety data is lacking, we don't offer it
Aggressive or unnatural protocols: We prioritize natural-looking results over dramatic transformations
This conservative, evidence-first approach may mean we don't have the newest, most hyped treatments immediately—but it means everything we offer has a solid foundation of safety and efficacy data.
Transparent Pricing: Know What You're Paying For
One frustration patients often express about aesthetic clinics is pricing opacity. "Area-based" pricing, vague "treatment" costs, and unclear package structures make it difficult to compare options or understand value.
At 1 Health, we believe transparency builds trust.
Our Per-Unit Pricing Philosophy
Anti-wrinkle treatments: We charge per unit, not per "area"
Why this matters:
- You know exactly what you're getting and what you're paying
- You can compare prices accurately across clinics
- Different faces need different amounts—per-unit pricing is fairer
- No hidden costs or surprise charges
Example: "Frown lines" might need 20 units in one patient, 30 in another. With per-unit pricing, each pays appropriately. With area-based pricing, both pay the same despite different product amounts.
Medical Oversight: The Value You Can't See (But Desperately Need)
While lower prices are appealing, the real value proposition at 1 Health is something less visible but far more important: comprehensive medical oversight.
What Medical Oversight Means in Practice
Before Treatment:
- Access to your complete medical records
- Medication interaction screening
- Contraindication identification (autoimmune conditions, pregnancy, bleeding disorders)
- Dermatological assessment by Dr. Teo if needed
- Appropriate patient selection (we decline treatment when it's not in your best interest)
During Treatment:
- Treatments performed in registered medical facility
- Emergency equipment and medications immediately available
- On-site GP access if complications arise
- LA Aire 24/7 doctor support for Jordan
After Treatment:
- Integrated follow-up care with your regular GP team
- Medical management of complications if they occur
- Skin cancer screening during aesthetic consultations (Dr. Teo's Skin Cancer Surgery expertise)
- Coordination with dermatological care for skin health conditions
The Hidden Cost of Inadequate Oversight
When complications occur at clinics without proper medical infrastructure, patients often end up at hospital emergency departments or seeking separate medical care—potentially paying twice and experiencing delays in appropriate management.
Real-world scenario: A patient develops vascular occlusion from filler (rare but serious). At a beauty salon with no medical support, they might:
- Wait hours to reach an off-site doctor
- Be told to "monitor it" instead of receiving immediate hyaluronidase
- End up at Christchurch Hospital ED after tissue damage has begun
- Face permanent scarring that could have been prevented
At 1 Health: Jordan recognizes the complication immediately, Dr. Teo is on-site within minutes, hyaluronidase is administered, and the patient is monitored by medical staff—potential disaster averted.
This is the value of medical oversight: It's invisible when everything goes well, but invaluable when something goes wrong.
The Integrated Care Advantage
Beyond safety, being part of a comprehensive medical clinic provides aesthetic advantages that standalone clinics can't match.
Holistic Skin Health
Scenario: You come in wanting anti-wrinkle treatment for crow's feet. During your consultation, Jordan notices signs of rosacea.
At a luxury aesthetic clinic: They might sell you more filler or laser treatments (more revenue)
At 1 Health: Jordan coordinates with Dr. Teo for dermatological assessment. You discover your rosacea can be managed with prescription topicals and lifestyle changes. Your aesthetic treatments are planned around your rosacea management for optimal results. Your skin health improves and you get your desired aesthetic outcome.
Preventive Care Integration
Scenario: During your consultation for under-eye filler, Dr. Teo notices an irregular mole during his skin assessment.
At a standalone aesthetic clinic: Likely goes unnoticed or requires separate referral and appointment elsewhere
At 1 Health: Dr. Teo performs immediate assessment, performs biopsy if needed, and integrates skin cancer management with your aesthetic care. Early detection of melanoma saves your life.
This is the integrated care advantage: Your aesthetic treatments become part of your overall health journey, not isolated cosmetic procedures.
Medication Management
Scenario: You're on warfarin (blood thinner) for atrial fibrillation and want Botox.
At a beauty salon: May not screen for this, leading to increased bruising risk
At 1 Health: Your medication list is reviewed, we consult with your cardiologist if needed, time treatment appropriately around INR testing, and have plans in place to manage bleeding complications if they occur.
Jordan Zheng: Experience Without the Markup
Another key differentiator? You're receiving care from Jordan Zheng—an established, experienced aesthetic nurse with a proven Christchurch reputation. Many luxury clinics charge premium prices while employing relatively inexperienced injectors.
Jordan's Qualifications & Experience
Professional background:
- Registered Nurse (Nursing Council of New Zealand)
- Established aesthetic injection practice in Christchurch
- Known locally for quality outcomes and patient satisfaction
- Recent advanced Sunekos training (Italian skin booster technology)
- Ongoing professional development with LA Aire
Medical oversight:
- Operating under standing orders from NZSCM-accredited doctors (LA Aire)
- On-site supervision from Dr. Bernard Teo (Dermatology & Skin Cancer Surgery)
- 24/7 access to supervising physicians
- Monthly clinical note review and competency assessment
What patients appreciate:
- Clear communication and realistic expectations
- Gentle, patient-centered technique
- Thorough consultations
- Commitment to natural-looking results
- Professional, approachable manner
You're not paying extra for Jordan's experience—it comes standard with our medical clinic model.
The Bottom Line: Value, Safety, and Results
Choosing 1 Health for your aesthetic treatments means:
Financial value:
- Save 20-40% vs. luxury aesthetic clinics
- Save $1,500-$4,500 annually on regular maintenance
- Transparent, honest pricing with no hidden costs
Clinical quality:
- Same Medsafe/TGA-approved products
- Evidence-based product selection
- Experienced, reputable practitioner (Jordan Zheng)
- Conservative, natural-looking approach
Medical safety:
- Dual medical oversight (LA Aire + Dr. Teo)
- On-site GP access and emergency preparedness
- Comprehensive medical records integration
- Dermatological and skin cancer expertise
Integrated care:
- Holistic skin health assessment
- Preventive care integration
- Medication management
- Seamless coordination with primary care
What you're NOT paying for:
- Luxury clinic overheads
- Marketing and influencer budgets
- Commission-based sales pressure
- Unnecessary upselling
Common Questions About Our Pricing Model
Q: If your prices are so much lower, are you cutting corners on quality?
A: No. We use the same pharmaceutical-grade products (Botox®, Dysport®, etc.) sourced through the same authorized distributors. Our lower prices reflect lower overhead (we don't have luxury fit-out costs) and our medical clinic efficiency model. You receive the same or higher level of care—just without paying for marble desks.
Q: Do you charge extra fees or hidden costs?
A: No. Our per-unit and per-treatment pricing is transparent and all-inclusive. The only additional cost would be if you choose to add extra treatment areas beyond your initial consultation plan.
Q: How can you offer Botox at $13/unit when the product costs $5/unit? Isn't that still a markup?
A: Yes, there's a markup—but it covers legitimate clinical costs: Jordan's time and expertise, clinic operational costs, medical oversight, insurance, regulatory compliance, product storage and handling, emergency preparedness, and administrative support. Compare this to luxury clinics charging $20-25/unit (400-500% markup).
Q: Will I get worse results because you're cheaper?
A: Results depend on injector skill, product quality, and appropriate technique—not on how much you pay. Jordan's experience and our evidence-based protocols produce natural, quality outcomes. Many of our patients report better results than previous providers because we prioritize medical appropriateness over maximizing revenue.
Q: Do you pressure patients to buy packages or upgrade treatments?
A: Never. We assess your needs, explain options, and support your decision. If you don't need treatment or a less expensive option would work better, we'll tell you. Jordan and our medical team are salaried (not commission-based), so there's no financial incentive to oversell.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Can I just get a single unit of Botox to try it out?
A: While we offer per-unit pricing, the minimum treatment would typically be 8-10 units (one small area like crow's feet on one side). This ensures you experience actual results. A single unit wouldn't produce visible effects.
Q: Do you offer payment plans?
A: We're exploring options for package payment plans. Currently, payment is due at time of service. Ask during your consultation about upcoming payment plan options.
Q: Can I use my health insurance?
A: Aesthetic treatments are typically not covered by health insurance as they're considered elective cosmetic procedures. If your treatment has a medical indication (e.g., hyperhidrosis treatment for excessive sweating, Botox for chronic migraine), insurance may contribute—check with your provider.
Q: Do you offer discounts for first-time patients?
A: Our everyday pricing is already the most competitive in Christchurch. We occasionally offer launch promotions—check our website or call for current offers.
Q: How often will I need treatments?
A: Anti-wrinkle: 3-4 months (individual variation). Microfillers/skin boosters: initial protocol (usually 3 sessions), then maintenance every 6-12 months. Your personalized plan will be discussed during consultation.
Book Your Consultation
Ready to experience evidence-based aesthetics without luxury markup? Book your consultation with Jordan Zheng at 1 Health today.
Contact 1 Health:
📞
Phone: 03 662 9309
🌐
Website:
www.1health.nz
✉️
Email:
reception@1health.nz
📍
Address: 1 Henry Wigram Drive, Wigram, Christchurch 8042
Opening Hours:
- Monday - Friday: 8:30am - 6:00pm
- Saturday: 9:00am - 2:00pm
- Sunday: 9:00am - 12:00pm
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What to expect at your consultation:
- Thorough 30-minute assessment with Jordan
- Review of your medical history and aesthetic goals
- Honest discussion of realistic outcomes
- Clear pricing explanation with no pressure
- Treatment plan tailored to your needs and budget
- Option to proceed same-day or take time to decide
Disclaimer
This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Aesthetic treatment pricing may vary based on individual assessment and requirements. All treatments carry risks and may not be suitable for everyone. Individual results vary and outcomes cannot be guaranteed. Before undergoing any aesthetic treatment, consult with a qualified healthcare practitioner who can assess your individual circumstances and discuss potential risks and benefits. Contact 1 Health to arrange a professional consultation with Jordan Zheng.
Written by the team at 1 Health Medical Centre, Christchurch
Medical Director: Dr. Bernard Teo (MBChB, FRNZCGP, Diploma in Dermatology, Diploma in Skin Cancer Surgery)
Aesthetic Nurse: Jordan Zheng, RN
Last updated: November 2025
