Concerns and Treatments
Every patient brings unique experiences, concerns and preferences to our team at The Gillian Institute of Indianapolis, which is why we offer a full spectrum of aesthetic treatments. We understand that aesthetic concerns can be deeply personal, and that every patient needs a tailored approach that evolves with them as they move through life.
If you’re struggling with any of the below concerns, Dr. Kimberly Short will work with you to create a customized treatment plan that delivers real, lasting results.
Wrinkles & Fine Lines
As collagen and elastin production naturally begin to slow down, your skin loses its ability to bounce back from repeated facial movements. Expression lines around the eyes (crow’s feet), forehead creases and lines around the mouth become more pronounced over time.
Thankfully, patients can choose from multiple treatment approaches to smooth and soften fine lines and wrinkles, including:
- Injectable neuromodulators like Botox, Dysport and Xeomin
- Dermal filler injections that plump and smooth static wrinkles
- Laser resurfacing treatments that stimulate collagen production
Volume Loss
The main culprit behind facial volume loss is underlying fat deposits, which tend to diminish with the aging process. Many patients begin to notice a gaunt or hollow appearance taking hold in their 30s and 40s. Commonly affected areas include the cheeks, temples, under-eye region and lips.
Dermal fillers have completely evolved the way we treat volume loss for the better. They can restore fullness to deflated areas without surgery, and without creating an “overdone” appearance. Different types of fillers support different concerns. Some add structure to the cheeks, while others plump the lips or smooth under-eye areas. BellaFill, for example, provides a long-lasting solution for patients looking for a more permanent answer to volume loss.
Sagging Skin
Skin laxity is another natural part of the aging process that unfolds slowly as gravity and declining collagen allow your skin to lose its firm attachment to the structures underneath. Sagging skin often manifests itself as drooping along the jawline, neck, or cheeks, negatively impacting your facial contours and making you look more aged than you may feel.
Our team at The Gillian Institute offers non-surgical options like laser treatments to tighten mild or moderate cases of laxity, and surgical procedures (like neck lift or brow lift) for a more dramatic and long-lasting improvement.
Jowls
Jowls form when sagging tissue accumulates along the lower jawline, creating a heavier and less defined jaw contour. This concern results from a combination of volume loss in the midface, skin laxity and the natural descent of facial fat pads over time.
Both women and men develop jowls, typically becoming noticeable in the late 40s and beyond. Dermal fillers can provide temporary improvement by adding volume to the midface, which lifts sagging tissues. However, a facelift or neck lift offers the most significant and enduring correction by repositioning deeper facial structures.
Uneven Skin Tone
Uneven skin tone is associated with a range of concerns, including:
- Hyperpigmentation
- Sun spots
- Melasma
- Redness
Caused or worsened by sun exposure, hormonal shifts, and the natural aging process, uneven skin tone can muddle your complexion, sometimes requiring constant concealment with makeup.
Treatment approaches vary based on the nature of the issue. Intense Pulsed Light (IPL) therapy targets pigmented lesions, chemical peels can exfoliate damaged skin layers, and a comprehensive skin care regimen helps to maintain your results and protect against future damage.
Acne & Acne Scars
Active acne can be frustrating for adults and teenagers alike. When breakouts heal, they often leave behind scars, which form depressed areas, raised bumps or discoloration.
Acne and related scarring can affect people across a wide range of ages and skin types. The most effective strategies encompass both breakout care and residual scarring treatment. Chemical peels help control breakouts, and laser resurfacing stimulates collagen to smooth depressed scars. In some cases, dermal fillers can be used to raise indented areas for a smoother texture.
Double Chin
One of the most stubborn areas for fat loss, a double chin can be related to genetic factors, rapid shifts in body weight or the aging process. Many patients find that even with successful and dramatic weight loss, this area of the body refuses to be toned.
Kybella offers a non-surgical solution using deoxycholic acid injections to permanently dissolve fat cells beneath the chin. A well-spaced-out treatment series will provide gradual, natural-looking improvement. For those with more significant concerns or accompanying skin laxity, liposuction or a neck lift may provide more comprehensive results.
Dull / Aging Skin
As cell turnover slows with age, dead skin cells accumulate on the surface, turning your once radiant complexion into a dull and lackluster one. Fine lines, rough texture and uneven tone contribute to an overall aged look.
This concern affects virtually everyone as they age, though lifestyle factors can accelerate or slow the process. Rejuvenation approaches range from professional-grade skin care products to in-office treatments. Chemical peels remove dulling surface layers, while laser resurfacing stimulates deeper rejuvenation. Intense Pulsed Light therapy addresses multiple aging concerns at once, restoring a more youthful glow.
Stubborn Fat
Common trouble spots for fat loss include the abdomen, love handles, thighs, upper arms and back. These fat deposits often persist due to genetics, hormonal factors and the body’s natural tendency to store fat in certain areas.
Patients with stubborn fat deposits can choose between a variety of surgical and non-surgical options. CoolSculpting and CoolSculpting Elite use controlled cooling to freeze and eliminate fat cells without surgery or downtime. Lipodissolve offers another non-invasive approach using injections to reduce localized fat deposits. For a more dramatic transformation, liposuction remains the gold standard, allowing Dr. Short to sculpt and contour the body with a high degree of precision.
Loose Skin
Loose skin develops after significant weight loss, pregnancy or simply as an element of the natural aging process. When skin has been stretched beyond its ability to retract, it hangs in folds or creates an undefined body contour. This issue often affects the abdomen, arms, thighs and other areas where skin elasticity has been compromised.
While non-surgical skin tightening treatments can improve mild laxity, significant loose skin typically requires surgical intervention. A tummy tuck addresses abdominal laxity, an arm lift tightens the upper arms, and a thigh lift improves leg contours. These procedures remove excess skin and tighten underlying tissues for a firmer, more toned appearance.
Cellulite
Cellulite appears as dimpled, uneven texture on the thighs, buttocks and sometimes other areas. It develops when fibrous bands beneath the skin create tension that pulls down while fat pushes up, resulting in the characteristic “cottage cheese” appearance. Hormones, genetics and lifestyle factors all influence cellulite development.
Women are particularly vulnerable to cellulite due to the structure of their connective tissue. While countless topical products claim to eliminate cellulite, few actually deliver. Advanced treatments like Avéli target the structural causes beneath the skin’s surface, releasing the fibrous bands responsible for dimpling and promoting smoother skin texture.
Stretch Marks
Any time the skin is significantly stretched over a relatively short period of time, stretch marks may form. Growth spurts, rapid weight fluctuations and pregnancy are all known to cause stretch marks.
Treating stretch marks effectively requires stimulating collagen production and remodeling scar tissue. Laser resurfacing can also improve the appearance of stretch marks by promoting skin regeneration. Chemical peels smooth texture and blend marks with the surrounding skin. Even with effective treatment, completely eliminating each stretch mark isn’t guaranteed, but you can still dramatically reduce their appearance.
Butt Volume Enhancement
A flat or deflated buttock contour can affect your overall body proportions as well as your confidence when wearing certain clothing. Some people naturally lack volume in this area, while others lose fullness with age or weight changes.
A Brazilian Butt Lift uses your own fat, harvested through liposuction, to improve buttock shape and volume naturally. This surgical approach provides beautiful, long-lasting results. For those seeking non-surgical options, treatments like BodyTone can help strengthen and tone gluteal muscles, while non-surgical BBL alternatives offer temporary volume enhancement.
Post-Pregnancy Changes
Pregnancy creates profound changes in a woman’s body, including stretched abdominal muscles, deflated breasts, stubborn fat deposits and loose skin.
Mommy Makeover addresses multiple post-pregnancy concerns in a single surgical session. This customized combination typically includes procedures like a tummy tuck, breast augmentation or lift, and liposuction. Dr. Short tailors each Mommy Makeover to address your specific concerns and aesthetic goals, helping you reclaim your confidence.
Renew Your Confidence at The Gillian Institute
At The Gillian Institute, Dr. Kimberly Short approaches each aesthetic concern with an artist’s eye and a surgeon’s precision. Whether your needs are best addressed through non-surgical treatments or surgical intervention, our team will develop a personalized treatment plan designed specifically for your unique anatomy and goals.
Schedule your virtual consultation online or at an in-person visit to our Indianapolis office today!
Contact: (317) 913-3260