Nonsurgical Butt Lift

What is a nonsurgical butt lift?

A nonsurgical butt lift is a cosmetic procedure to change the size, shape and contour of your buttocks without surgery.

There are different types of nonsurgical butt lift procedures. Each type offers different results. The most common types use laser lights or an injection of a filler substance, like Sculptra^®.

There’s no recovery time for a nonsurgical butt lift. The results may last for months to years, but they aren’t permanent.

How is a nonsurgical butt lift different from a traditional butt lift?

There’s a difference between a traditional butt lift and a nonsurgical butt lift. A traditional butt lift is a surgical procedure to lift the skin around your butt to make it look smoother and less dimpled. A traditional butt lift doesn’t change the size of your butt. In addition to a traditional butt lift, surgical butt augmentation procedures include a Brazilian butt lift and butt implants.

A nonsurgical butt lift is a noninvasive procedure that can change the size and shape of your butt. It doesn’t require you to go under general anesthesia (asleep during the procedure) or get incisions (cuts in your skin).

What are the types of nonsurgical butt lifts?

There are many types of nonsurgical butt lifts available. Some of the most common types are:

• Dermal fillers: Dermal fillers are injections into your skin to plump up and restore volume to recessed or wrinkled areas of your butt. Butt fillers can improve your body’s natural collagen production. Collagen is a protein in your body that gives your skin, tissues and bones structure and shape. 
• Sculptra: Sculptra is a U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA)-approved dermal filler made of a gel-like substance (poly-L-lactic acid). A healthcare provider will inject Sculptra under your skin to give your buttocks area a fuller and smoother look. It may take four to six weeks to see full results after a Sculptra injection.
• Laser therapy: Lasers and intense pulsed lights can cosmetically rejuvenate areas of your body that show signs of age with wrinkles. This noninvasive procedure uses pulses of medical-grade, focused light on an area of your skin that you want to improve. The laser lights target areas of your buttocks where adipose fat cells cluster and break them up.

What are common types of dermal fillers for nonsurgical butt lifts?

There are several types of injectable dermal fillers, including:

• Poly-L-lactic acid (Sculptra): A non-hyaluronic acid synthetic injectable substance that smooths fine lines and fills deep wrinkles.
• Botulinum toxin (Botox^®): An injectable muscle relaxant to smooth wrinkles.
• Hyaluronic acid (Juvéderm^®, Restylane^®, Belotero Balance^®, Revanesse Versa^®, RHA^®): An injectable substance that already exists in your body to hydrate and plump your skin.
• Polymethylmethacrylate (Bellafill^®): A synthetic substance that forms a tiny ball (microsphere) underneath your skin to provide structure and firmness to your skin.
• Calcium hydroxyapatite (Radiesse^®): A naturally occurring substance in your body that’s injected into your skin to boost collagen production to treat deep wrinkles and lines.

A healthcare provider will help you choose the best nonsurgical butt lift filler for you and your goals.

What does a nonsurgical bum lift do?

You might choose to get a nonsurgical butt lift if you want to:

• Plump up your butt.
• Prevent sagging skin.
• Eliminate dimples.
• Change the shape or curve of your butt.
• Experience a noninvasive procedure that meets your goals.
• Get back to your regular activities quickly (short to no recovery time).

What happens before a nonsurgical butt lift?

Before a nonsurgical butt lift, you’ll meet with a board-certified plastic surgeon who’ll learn more about your goals for the procedure and your overall health. They’ll examine your buttocks area and listen to your concerns and what you expect as an outcome from the procedure. They’ll then ask you questions about your medical history, if you’ve received a cosmetic procedure before and if you have any allergies. 

After reviewing your goals and health history, your provider will discuss their recommendations for types of treatment to give you the look you want.

Before the date of your nonsurgical butt lift appointment, ask your provider any questions you might have. Your provider will give you the information you need so you understand the process and the possible side effects.

What happens during a nonsurgical butt lift?

A nonsurgical butt lift procedure process varies for each type, but your healthcare provider will inform you of the process before it begins. Nonsurgical butt lifts are outpatient procedures that usually occur at a medical office. You’ll be awake during the entire procedure but won’t feel pain.

For nonsurgical butt lifts that use dermal fillers, like Sculptra, you can expect the following:

1. You’ll remove your clothing from the waist down.
2. Your provider will clean your skin.
3. Your provider will numb the area with an anesthetic. This prevents you from feeling any pain or discomfort from the injection.
4. Your provider will inject a dermal filler with a small needle underneath your skin. You may feel pressure.
5. Your provider may place a small bandage over your skin where the injection went. Then, you can put your clothes back on.

For a nonsurgical butt lift that involves light therapy, you can expect the following:

1. You’ll remove your clothing below your waist. You’ll put on eye protection.
2. Your provider will clean your skin where you’ll receive light therapy treatment.
3. Your provider will hold a device near the skin of your butt, which will flash repeatedly (pulse). After several pulses, your provider may move the device to another area of your butt that needs treatment.
4. You can put your clothing back on and remove eye protection.

How long does a nonsurgical butt lift take?

Nonsurgical butt lifts (all types) take less than an hour to complete.

What happens after a nonsurgical butt lift?

Your provider will give you specific instructions to take care of yourself after a nonsurgical butt lift. This is an outpatient procedure, so you’ll be able to go home the same day. You can drive yourself home.

You’ll be able to sit on your butt and return to your regular activities immediately. Avoid over-exercising or participating in strenuous activities for a couple of days.

You may have temporary skin discoloration like redness or bruising at the injection site or the site of your laser therapy. These side effects should reduce and go away after a few days. If you experience mild pain after your procedure, you can treat it with over-the-counter NSAIDs. Visit your healthcare provider if you have severe pain or swelling.

Are nonsurgical butt lifts safe?

Nonsurgical butt lifts are safe procedures if you choose a licensed and experienced provider. Many types of butt lift injections, like Sculptra, are FDA-approved. Make sure you follow your healthcare provider’s instructions before and after treatment to get the best results.

What are the advantages of a nonsurgical butt lift?

The advantages of a nonsurgical butt lift include:

• It changes the size and shape of your butt.
• It’s a safe procedure.
• It has a short or no healing time.
• It helps you reach your aesthetic goals.
• It can improve your self-esteem and confidence.

What are the risks or complications of a nonsurgical butt lift?

While rare, there are potential risks associated with all cosmetic procedures like a nonsurgical butt lift, including:

• Bruising.
• Swelling.
• Skin discoloration.
• Pain or discomfort.
• Bumps underneath your skin.

What is the recovery time for a nonsurgical butt lift?

The recovery time for a nonsurgical butt lift is very short compared to surgical butt lifts. You’ll be able to return to your regular activities without any downtime. But you should avoid strenuous activities for at least 24 hours. You may have bruising for a few days at the injection site if you receive a dermal filler. It’s best to minimize sunlight exposure to your treatment area after light therapy.

When will I see the results of a nonsurgical butt lift?

When you’ll see results vary based on what type of dermal filler you choose. Some types of dermal filler provide immediate results. For Sculptra, however, it could take four to six weeks before you see results.

It could take up to six weeks before you see results from light therapy.

How long does a nonsurgical butt lift last?

Dermal fillers usually last up to two years. Light therapy usually lasts for six months. A nonsurgical butt lift isn’t permanent, so you may need multiple procedures to maintain your results.

When should I see a healthcare provider?

Visit a healthcare provider if you experience severe pain or swelling at your injection site after a dermal filler for a nonsurgical butt lift. Don’t hesitate to contact your provider if something doesn’t seem right.

Are fat injections a type of nonsurgical butt lift?

No, fat injections are part of a surgical butt augmentation, known as a Brazilian butt lift. During the procedure, a surgeon will remove fat from another part of your body and then reinject that fat into your buttocks. About 50% of the fat from the fat injection will stay permanently in your body. You may need multiple fat injections to receive your desired results.