About TRU Aesthetics
TRU Aesthetics is a private, discreet boutique practice, tucked away and nestled among the trees in the serene setting of Valrico, FL. This tranquil location offers a peaceful and confidential environment, ensuring a personalized and relaxing experience for every patient. Serving individuals in Valrico, Florida, and the surrounding communities of Brandon, Plant City, Riverview, Wesley Chapel, Tampa, Lakeland, and Apollo Beach. Schedule a consultation today to discover how we can help you achieve your aesthetic goals in a comfortable and confidential setting.
Meet Tess Gates
Board Certified Nurse Practitioner
Meet Tess Gates, a board-certified nurse practitioner and owner of TRU Aesthetics. The Brandon, FL native is a graduate of The University of Tampa, specializing in aesthetic medicine. Tess has been in the medical field for close to 20 years and spent the majority of her career in the Emergency Room at Tampa General Hospital. She has also worked in PACU, Transplant, and other procedural areas. She carries dual certificates with AAI and AMET in neurotoxins and dermal fillers. She is also certified in laser physics, safety, and tissue interaction. Tess has attended numerous national conferences and advanced training seminars to hone her skills.
Tess believes in the philosophy "look better, feel better, do better" and the power confidence can bring to a person's life. Her objective is to enhance a patient's natural beauty by focusing on subtle adjustments to facial proportions while respecting the patient's facial characteristics. The goal should be to look better, not different!
Tess is a proud wife of a firefighter and enjoys spending time with their blended family of 5 children. She loves to travel, enjoys the outdoors and anything involving the water. She has worked for the NFL, is a self-proclaimed Peloton junkie, and captain of an American Heart Walk team. Her sense of humor is unmistakable and her positive energy is contagious.
Tess is a proud member of the following professional organizations:
American Nurses Association
American Association of Nurse Practitioners
American Med Spa Association
Meet Dr. James P. Gillen
M.D., FACEP
Dr. James P. Gillen is Director of Medical Education for the USF Emergency Medicine Residency Program and Clinical Associate Professor with the University of South Florida Health Morsani College of Medicine. Dr. Gillen has been involved in academic medicine for the past 37 years, teaching both medical students and residents. Over the years he has developed an interest in Aesthetic Medicine and is now the Medical Director at TRU Aesthetics. In his spare time, Dr. Gillen enjoys spending time with his wife, Marlene, who is a cardiology nurse practitioner at Tampa General Hospital.
Personalized Care
Value & Results Driven
Innovative Treatments
Personalized Care Value & Results Driven Innovative Treatments
Discover Your Big Difference.
Discover how to be TRU "The Real U" and look and feel reinvigorated with nonsurgical services, including BOTOX®, dermal fillers, and SkinPen® microneedling. To discover how you can receive invigorating, natural-looking results, browse our full selection of treatments.