Facial Volume Loss | The Gillian Institute The Gillian Institute

Nobody can control when and how facial volume loss shows its effects, but thanks to our expert-guided volume loss treatments at The Gillian Institute in Indianapolis, you are more empowered than ever to do something about it. Our physician-led team offers advanced and highly targeted dermal filler treatments to restore fullness to your cheeks, temples, and other areas commonly affected by volume loss.

Where Does Volume Loss Appear First?

While every patient’s aging pattern is unique, certain areas tend to show volume loss earlier and more visibly than others. As fat and collagen decline with age (and also due to genetics, sun exposure, or rapid weight and hormonal changes), you may notice volume loss occurring in one or more of the following areas:

Cheeks and mid-face are often the first areas patients notice. The prominent, lifted look of youthful cheeks comes from a fat pad that sits directly beneath the skin. As this begins to decline, the cheeks flatten, and lines running from the nose to the corners of the mouth (nasolabial) become more pronounced.

Temples hollow out as the temporal fat pad shrinks, creating a gaunt appearance at the sides of the face. This is a change that frequently goes unnoticed in early stages but has a significant impact on overall facial harmony.

Under-eye hollows (tear troughs) deepen as the fat that once smoothed the transition between the lower eyelid and cheek diminishes. This creates the shadowed, tired look that even well-rested patients sometimes struggle with.

Lips lose both volume and definition, with the vermillion border becoming less distinct and the overall projection of the lips decreasing. The corners of the mouth can also begin to turn slightly downward as the surrounding tissues lose support.

How Dermal Fillers Restore Facial Volume

Dermal fillers have fundamentally changed how we approach volume loss, and for an important reason. These injectable treatments can replace lost volume, restore structural support and refresh your appearance without surgery and with little to no recovery time.

Most modern dermal fillers are formulated around hyaluronic acid (HA), a substance naturally produced by your body that attracts and retains water with incredible potency. When injected by an expert and with a carefully targeted approach, HA fillers can lift and volumize the cheeks, soften under-eye hollows, restore lip fullness and recontour the jawline without creating an overdone or artificial look. The results are immediate, and because HA is biocompatible, the risk profile is excellent.

Radiesse: The Non-HA Approach That Works

Not every patient is best served by HA alone. Radiesse (calcium hydroxylapatite, or CaHA) works with your biology rather than filling space beneath the skin.

Radiesse is formulated with calcium microspheres suspended in a water-based gel carrier. These microspheres are biocompatible, made from a calcium compound identical to the mineral composition of bone and teeth, so there is no risk of allergic reaction and no skin testing required. Once injected, Radiesse delivers immediate volume and structural lift.

Radiesse performs especially well in the cheeks, nasolabial folds, prejowl area and temples — precisely the zones where age-related volume loss tends to have the most visible impact on overall facial structure. Results typically last one to two years, making it one of the longer-lasting options among non-permanent fillers.

Different fillers are formulated for different purposes:

Thicker, more robust fillers (such as Juvederm Voluma or Sculptra) are used in the mid-face and cheeks, where structural lift is the goal
Medium-density fillers work well in the nasolabial folds and marionette lines
Softer, more pliable formulas are ideal for delicate areas like the lips and under-eye region, where a natural look and feel matter most

For patients interested in a longer-lasting option, Bellafill offers a collagen-stimulating solution that can provide results lasting five years or more. Bellafill contains polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA) microspheres that stay in place after the initial collagen gel is absorbed, providing ongoing structural support.

Dr. Short and her team take a highly individualized approach to filler placement, considering your natural anatomy, the specific pattern of your volume loss and the overall balance of your facial features.

Why Choose The Gillian Institute for Volume Restoration?

Dr. Kimberly Short is a board-certified plastic surgeon and Fellow of the American College of Surgeons with fellowship training in aesthetic surgery from some of the field’s most respected programs. She has completed advanced training in facial rejuvenation techniques in the U.S. and internationally, and is a national trainer and faculty member for Botox and Radiesse Medical Education. Her approach to facial aesthetics is shaped by an artist’s sensibility and a surgeon’s precision.

The Gillian Institute’s injector team, including Melissa Mahmoud and Amber Aiman, both certified injector specialists, brings years of hands-on experience with facial filler treatments.

Schedule Your Consultation at The Gillian Institute

If you’ve noticed changes in facial fullness and want to understand your options, a consultation with Dr. Short is the right place to start. She’ll take the time to evaluate your concerns, explain exactly what’s happening beneath the surface and outline a treatment plan built around your goals.

Schedule your consultation or in-person visit at our Indianapolis office today by calling (317) 913-3260. The Gillian Institute conveniently serves the areas of Carmel, Fishers and Indianapolis.