If you are looking for a perkier bottom but surgery isn't your first choice, butt injections may be the ticket to the derriere of your dreams. Read on to learn more about the procedure including the risks and costs.

If a perkier bottom is something you're after but surgery isn't your first choice, butt injections may be the ticket to the derriere of your dreams. Unlike the popular Brazilian butt lift (BBL) or butt implant surgery, butt injections are considered a non-surgical butt lift that uses dermal filler under the skin of the buttocks to give the bum a curvier, lifted appearance.

While certainly less invasive than surgery, butt injections can be dangerous when not done by a qualified and experienced professional. Read on to learn more about butt injections, including the risks, costs and more.1

What Are Butt Injections?
A butt injection is a cosmetic procedure to enhance the contour of your bottom using a dermal filler that's injected into the skin of your buttocks. Sculptra® is the most commonly used dermal filler for butt injections, but its use is considered “off-label."1

While Sculptra® is an FDA-approved filler, there are currently no dermal fillers approved by the FDA for use on any part of the body except for the face.2

Butt injections can also contain fat; when they do, it is an entirely different process known as BBL.

Butt injections vs. BBL
Butt injections are a non-surgical procedure performed in-office. While BBL also involves the use of injections to add volume to the buttocks, it's actually a two-part surgical procedure usually performed under general anesthesia. It uses fat removed from another part of the body using liposuction, which is then injected into the buttocks.3

Butt injections are the least invasive of the butt augmentation procedures available, but the results are only temporary with most lasting between a few months to a couple of years depending on the type of filler.

5 Different Types of Butt Injections
There are multiple types of butt injections, but not all of them are recommended or considered safe. Below, we will look at some of the most common types of butt injections, including:

Poly-L-lactic acid injections (Sculptra®)
Calcium Hydroxylapatite (CaHA) injections (Radiesse®)
Hyaluronic acid injections
Fat grafting
Hydrogel and silicone butt injections
1. Poly-L-lactic acid injections (Sculptra®)
This is the most common type of dermal filler used for butt injections, and also goes by the brand name Scupltra®. It's made from poly-L-lactic acid, which doesn't work quite like other fillers. Rather than just “filling" the area, Sculptra® is a collagen-stimulator that encourages your body's natural collagen production. The actual filler only stays in the body for a few days. You'll notice some volume over those initial days, but that will subside.4

Collagen production isn't instant, so you won't notice visible results for several weeks. Most people need about three sessions spread out over several weeks; though more may be needed depending on the level of augmentation you're after.5

butt augmentation

2. Calcium Hydroxylapatite (CaHA) injections (Radiesse®)
Calcium Hydroxylapatite (CaHA) injections, known best by the brand name Radiesse®, is another dermal filler sometimes used off-label for non-surgical butt lifts. Similar to Sculptra®, Radiesse® also appears to stimulate the body's collagen production. It's also been shown to tighten the skin and improve the appearance of cellulite when used on the buttocks.6

For the best results, three treatments over three to four months are recommended. You will see immediate results with Radiesse® butt injections and they typically last about 12 months.5

3. Hyaluronic acid (HA) injections
Hyaluronic acid (HA) injections are another type of dermal filler that's rarely used off-label to enhance the buttocks.1 HA is a substance that's naturally found in the skin and helps to keep the skin hydrated.

HA fillers have a gel-like consistency and provide immediate results. Your body gradually absorbs the HA. Unlike Sculptra® and Radiesse®, HA doesn't stimulate collagen production, so results usually only last six to 12 months.7

4. Fat grafting
Gluteal fat grafting is the medical term for BBL, which involves injecting a person's own fat into the buttocks. The fat is removed from another part of the body using liposuction, usually the flanks, abdomen, back or thighs. Once removed, the fat is injected into different parts of the buttocks to create a fuller, lifted appearance.

Buttock lift

Fat grafting provides permanent results, but anywhere from 20% to 40% of the fat injected will be absorbed by the body in the first three to six months. Proper aftercare during the recovery period, including avoiding sitting too much, can help you preserve more of the injected fat.

There's been a lot of concern about the safety of BBL. This is in part because the area where the fat is injected is full of blood vessels and there's a risk of fat entering the bloodstream and clogging major blood vessels. The risks can be significantly reduced when BBL is performed by an experienced and board-certified plastic surgeon.8

5. Hydrogel and silicone butt injections
Silicone injections and hydrogel injections made of polyacrylamide and silicone are often used illegally for non-surgical butt lifts. Silicone injections are not approved by the FDA.

Unlike other dermal fillers, silicone isn't absorbed by the body and carries the risk of serious long-term complications, including pain, permanent disfigurement, embolism, stroke and death. Complications from silicone butt fillers can occur years after you get the injections.

Always choose a qualified healthcare provider who uses FDA-approved products.9

Preparing for Butt Injections
There's very little preparation needed for butt injections. Having something to eat and being well-hydrated when you go for your appointment can help you avoid feeling queasy or lightheaded.10

You can ask your doctor if there is anything you need to do to prepare for butt injections. Your doctor may ask you to:

Stop smoking11
Avoid drinking alcohol for 48 hours before your appointment11
Avoid certain medications or supplements beforehand that can affect bleeding, such as NSAIDs or blood thinners10
If you have any concerns, be sure to bring them up with the doctor before your appointment.

What to Expect During a Butt Injection Procedure
Here's what to expect during the procedure:11

You will be given a gown to put on and asked to lie on your stomach.
The area will be swabbed with alcohol to reduce the risk of infection.
A topical anesthetic may be applied to the buttocks to help minimize discomfort.
Your doctor will inject filler just below the skin in different areas of your buttocks, which takes just a few minutes.
Butt Injection Aftercare and Recovery
Some mild bruising, redness and soreness is common in the first week following the getting butt injections. You may also notice some asymmetry or lumps under the skin, but that should improve over time.10

The following post-care instructions can help after butt injections:10

Avoid strenuous exercise and heavy lifting for 24 to 48 hours to minimize bruising and swelling.
Apply a small ice pack to the area — but not directly to the skin — for 20 minutes at a time, using minimal pressure.
If needed, take acetaminophen for discomfort.
Dermal fillers can cause infection. Contact your doctor if you have:

Yellow or green discharge from the injection sites
Fever
Nausea
Dizziness
Worsening pain or pain that doesn't improve
Scabbing or discoloration near the treated area
How Much Do Butt Injections Cost?
The average cost of the dermal fillers used in butt injections are:12

Sculptra®: $853
Radiesse®: $717
Juvederm®: $684
One vial of Sculptra® — the most common type of butt injections — costs between $600 and $1,000. Some providers offer a discounted cost per vial when multiple vials are used during a single treatment session. A Sculptra® butt lift can require as many as two to four vials and multiple sessions. Patient reviewers reported paying more than $5,300 on average for a Sculptra® butt lift.13

It is also important to point out that the cost of butt injections will likely vary depending on the following factors:

Type of filler used
Amount of filler needed
Number of sessions
Provider's location and experience
Financing Butt Injections
A non-surgical butt lift can get very expensive with multiple vials and sessions needed to achieve and maintain the results you want. The cost is comparable to the cost of BBL surgery, which offers permanent results.13

To help you finance your butt injections, ask about promotions and financing options when choosing a doctor. Remember to choose a board-certified plastic surgeon or cosmetic surgeon with extensive experience in butt injections. Book a consultation to discuss your expectations and review your options.