Achieving a more plump and lifted derriere used to require invasive surgery via fat transfer, also known as a Brazilian Butt Lift (BBL), or buttock implants. These often yield more dramatic results but require more complicated invasive procedures and prolonged after-care.
Those who want the lift and tightening effect, however more subtle and tailored, Sculptra is an amazing alternative that offers long-lasting results.
Haute Beauty sits down with Dr. Michele Green, a board-certified dermatologist trusted by the most discerning, demanding women and men in the world, to learn more about the innovative natural injectable that combats the visible signs of aging in the face and buttocks.
HB: What is Sculptra?
Sculptra is an FDA approved injectable dermal filler that stimulates collagen growth and corrects the lack of volume at the injection site.
Sculptra is composed of poly-l-lactic acid. Poly-l-lactic acid (PLLA) is the same material used in dissolvable sutures which are widely used by dermatologists and plastic surgeons.
Sculptra injections were originally developed and used on the HIV population. Many HIV patients suffered from a “wasting syndrome,” where their faces looked gaunt and the signs of disease were self-evident. Sculptra injections were used on these patients to develop their own collagen and restore the lost facial volume. With the success and rejuvenation of these patients, Sculptra became FDA approved in 2004 to restore lost volume in the general population.
HB: How does it work?
Collagen production is responsible for providing the underlying framework or foundation for our skin. Over time we lose some of the collagen in the skin, Sculptra gives you both a gradual replacement of your body’s own natural collagen while simultaneously restoring the thickness of your skin.
HB: How can Sculptra be used for a butt lift?
Sculptra is injected into the buttocks area, and collagen growth is stimulated at the injection site. Unlike invasive surgery, Sculptra for the buttocks is a quick and easy treatment to undertake.
There are a number of reasons why a person’s butt may start to sag. This primarily can be caused as a part of the aging process, there is a major loss of collagen and elastin and the rear end area can start to droop a little.
Women who exercise a lot and those who have lost weight may find that some of this toning or weight loss has occurred in the upper buttocks area. This can have a detrimental effect and give this area a more masculine appearance.
There are three popular shapes for butt lift:
- Curvy
- Upside-down heart
- Rounded bubble
The shape you choose should be discussed with your physician to determine if it is the best shape for your body.
If you have more of a square shape (no hips) an upside-down heart shape is more suitable. An upside-down heart shape will add definition to your hips and also curve your buttocks.
If you are V-shaped, a rounded bubble shape butt lift will give you the right definition. For V-shaped body types, a curvy approach is best. A curvy approach will enhance the hips more giving you the right definition.
HB: Who is a good candidate?
A good candidate is someone who wants to avoid plastic surgery and prefers a non-invasive approach to improve their appearance. Sculptra is for those looking for a non-surgical lift, with no recovery time. You can control the amount of lift or the size of the butt lift by having more Sculptra injected. In this way, a Sculptra butt lift is a very personalized procedure.
Are multiple treatments necessary?
Sculptra is a gradual process, whereby the body produces new collagen several weeks after your injection. Sculptra requires 3 to 5 treatments, spaced 4 to 6 weeks apart. The amount of augmentation desired dictates how many vials of Sculptra you will need and how many injection sessions.
HB: How many vials of Sculptra are needed?
The number of vials is dependent upon the patient’s desired results and the roundness of their buttocks to begin with. The average number of vials utilized is 10 per treatment, 5 vials per buttock. For discreet smaller, such as hip dimples, fewer vials may be needed.
Photo Credit: Shutterstock
The cost of Sculptra injections depends on the number of vials injected and the anatomic location of the cosmetic injections. Because the number of treatments and vials depends on the specific area being treated, an in-person consultation is necessary to evaluate the area.
HB: What is recovery like?
There is minimal downtime and individuals can go about their daily lives immediately after the treatment session. In addition to this, side effects are typically less likely due to the fact that Sculptra is based on a natural substance.
HB: How long does it take to see results?
Typically a patient will see improvements around 60 to 90 days after the sessions to Sculptra injections have taken place.
HB: Are results permanent?
For a non-surgical procedure, Sculptra injections are long-lasting, and an individual can expect to retain the final result for two years and in some cases much longer.
Dr. Michele Green has been a leading injector of Sculptra in NYC in her upper east side office for years and is an expert in cosmetic dermatology. One of the reasons that Dr. Green loves Sculptra and has been using it extensively in her NYC based practice, is that it produces natural-looking, long-lasting results.
