Sculptra Butt Lift: Procedure, Cost, And What To Expect - Healthline

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Everything to Know About a Sculptra Butt Lift

Medically reviewed by Catherine Hannan, M.D. — Written by Kathryn Watson on May 15, 2020

Overview
How it works
Procedure
Targeted areas
Risks and side effects
What to expect
Pictures
Preparation
Cost
Nonsurgical vs. surgical
How to find a provider

Fast facts

About: Sculptra butt lift is a cosmetic procedure that claims to enhance the curve and shape of your buttocks without surgery or a high risk of complications. Sculptra butt lift uses a dermal filler injection called Sculptra to stimulate collagen production in the deeper layers of your skin.
Safety: This procedure doesn’t carry a high risk of scarring, but there is a small risk of infection. Like other types of dermal fillers, Sculptra butt lift is safer than its surgical alternatives.
Convenience: A Sculptra butt lift can be done quickly in your provider’s office. Finding a licensed, trained provider who can give you this treatment is the most important part of this process.
Cost: Costs vary according to how much volume you want to add during your butt lift. It may cost anywhere from $4,000 to $7,000.
Efficacy: Results of this procedure depend on many factors, including the level of experience your provider has. Anecdotally, many are happy with this treatment and say it’s a low-risk way to get a significantly rounder and more pert buttocks.

What is it?

It’s natural for weight loss, aging, and pregnancy to decrease your butt’s natural pert and plumpness.

If this is something you’ve noticed and are concerned about, you might be considering a Sculptra butt lift. This treatment is a minimally invasive, low-risk, nonsurgical option that can enhance the curve and shape of your butt.

Sculptra is a type of dermal filler, so in order to get this treatment, you have to be healthy enough to get dermal fillers. If you don’t smoke, are physically healthy, and have realistic goals for the results of this procedure, you may be a candidate for a Sculptra butt lift.

How does a Sculptra butt lift work?

A Sculptra butt lift works differently than other kinds of dermal fillers.

Instead of adding volume outright the way that hyaluronic acid ingredients would, Sculptra injects something called poly-L-lactic acid into your dermal layers. This substance works to kick-start your body’s natural collagen production mechanism.

Since collagen is the protein that gives your skin its structure and shape, Sculptra injections fill out the area under your butt with a curved shape that looks natural and fits with your body type.

The building of collagen takes several weeks to months. This means you’ll likely need several injections to see improvement in volume and shape.

Sculptra dermal filler isn’t currently FDA-approved for use on any part of your body except for your face. Sculptra for your butt is considered an off-label use, so there isn’t a lot of clinical data about results to expect.

Anecdotally, many people who get this treatment report being pleased with their results.

Procedure for a Sculptra butt lift

When you arrive for your appointment, you will be given a paper gown to wear and instructed to put it on.

Next, your provider will instruct you to lay comfortably on your stomach. Your provider or an assistant will swab the area of your injection with alcohol to sterilize it and reduce the risk of infection.

Depending on your preference and your provider’s recommendation, you may have an anesthetic applied topically to your butt to reduce any discomfort you feel during the injection.

The injection process itself will only take a few moments as your provider uses sterilized equipment to inject Sculptra into your buttocks.

After the injections are completed, you may receive a bandage on the area where the shots were inserted. You can get dressed as usual and are clear to drive immediately afterward.

Targeted areas

Sculptra butt lift targets your buttocks and gluteal area. Unlike other procedures that harvest fat through liposuction, Sculptra butt lift only impacts your butt area.

Are there any risks or side effects?

There are some risks and side effects of this procedure. Severe side effects and complications from dermal fillers are uncommon. After a Sculptra butt lift, you may notice:

bruising or redness
asymmetrical results
lumps or bumps that may smooth out over time
bleeding at the injection site
temporary acne breakouts at the injection site
rash or itching

Some people develop bruising at the injection site or nodules under their skin after getting a Sculptra injection. According to a 2015 study, 7 to 9 percent of people may experience nodules.

In some cases, dermal fillers can cause infection. Contact your provider and seek emergency medical assistance if you notice any of the following:

green or yellow drainage at the site of your injections
elevated temperature
fatigue
nausea
dizziness

What to expect after a Sculptra butt lift

Recovery after a Sculptra butt lift is minimal. You will be given instructions from your provider and may be asked to avoid drinking alcohol and strenuous exercise for a day or two following the injection.

You won’t see results of your Sculptra butt lift right away. It can take 4 to 6 months for the results to become apparent, as the injection works to slowly boost your body’s collagen production.

The results of this butt lift aren’t permanent. Sculptra dissolves and is absorbed by your body within 2 years after a procedure.

Before and after pictures

Before you make an appointment with a provider, ask to see some examples of their work and if they have before and after photos of a Sculptra butt lift. Here are some before and after photos for your reference.

Preparing for a Sculptra butt lift

Before your Sculptra butt lift appointment, your provider will give you instructions on how to prepare. Follow these instructions carefully. You may be instructed to:

stop smoking
avoid taking blood-thinning medications and herbal supplements for 2 weeks prior to your appointment
avoid drinking alcohol for 48 hours prior to your appointment

Make sure to disclose your health history, including preexisting conditions and any medications you take, prior to your appointment.

How much does a Sculptra butt lift cost?

Sculptra butt lifts are considered an elective cosmetic procedure. That means that your insurance plan won’t cover this treatment, and you’ll have to pay the full cost of the treatment out of pocket.

The cost of a Sculptra butt lift depends on two main factors. The first is the experience level of your provider. Finding a trained, licensed provider is essential to your safety. The more experience that your provider has, the more expensive the treatment is likely to be.

The second factor is how much volume you’re looking to add to your butt. Like other dermal filler ingredients, such as Botox, Sculptra is purchased by the vial and that cost is passed on to you as the consumer.

Based on statistics from 2018, Sculptra costs an average of $915 per vial. A minor butt lift will take four vials of Sculptra. To see more dramatic results, you’ll need more of the ingredient. That puts the average range for this procedure between $4,000 and $7,000.

Sculptra doesn’t require anesthesia, though some providers may recommend a local anesthetic, like lidocaine, to make the injections less uncomfortable.

This procedure can be performed in your provider’s office, so you don’t have to worry about hospital fees. Sculptra butt lift is sometimes called a “lunch break butt lift” because the appointment is a quick one, and you don’t have to plan to take time off from work to recover.

Sculptra butt lift vs. surgical butt lift

Sculptra butt lift is far less dangerous than other forms of buttock augmentation, such as Brazilian butt lift and butt implants. The results of a Sculptra butt lift may be less dramatic, and they are temporary. But a Sculptra butt lift is safer and less expensive.

If you aren’t happy with the result of a Sculptra butt lift, you can have more filler injected a few months after your initial treatment. If you think the results don’t look natural or aren’t what you had in mind, the treatment will wear off within 2 years.

Other buttock augmentation treatment options give you permanent results.

How to find a provider

If you’re interested in getting a Sculptra butt lift, get in touch with a licensed and trained provider to discuss your expectations and options.

Find a plastic surgeon near you using the American Society of Plastic Surgeon’s database tool.

How we reviewed this article:

SourcesHealthline has strict sourcing guidelines and relies on peer-reviewed studies, academic research institutions, and medical journals and associations. We only use quality, credible sources to ensure content accuracy and integrity. You can learn more about how we ensure our content is accurate and current by reading our editorial policy.

Chen H, et al. (2015). Quantitative assessment of the longevity of Poly-L-Lactic acid as a volumizing filler using 3-dimensional photography. DOI:https://www.liebertpub.com/full/doi/10.1001/jamafacial.2014.867
Dermal fillers. (n.d.).https://www.plasticsurgery.org/cosmetic-procedures/dermal-fillers
Jabbar A, et al. (2017). Off face usage of Poly-L-Lactic acid for body rejuvenation.https://jddonline.com/articles/dermatology/S1545961617P0489X

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Medically reviewed by Catherine Hannan, M.D. — Written by Kathryn Watson on May 15, 2020

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