How a Sculptra BBL can improve your butt shape naturally

Sculptra BBL is an excellent non-surgical alternative to a traditional BBL if you want to achieve a shapelier butt. It promotes your body’s natural process of producing collagen and has significantly fewer risks compared to the traditional BBL procedure, overall making it a great option if you don’t want to or can’t get the traditional option.

In this article, we will go through all the details about the Sculptra BBL procedure from surgery prep to recovery and results. Then we will compare Sculptra to other BBL types to help you make up your mind if you can’t decide between 2 options. Finally, we will look at which non-surgical you can combine with Sculptra to get the full BBL effect.

What is Sculptra BBL?

Sculptra BBL is a minimally invasive cosmetic procedure that utilizes dermal fillers for butt enhancement. The procedure’s name comes from Sculptra filler which is made of poly-L-lactic acid that stimulates your body’s natural collagen growth in the injected area. It is a non-surgical alternative to BBL and can be done after initial BBL as well.

How does Sculptra work?

Sculptra will boost collagen around the injection area which will increase tissue growth. However, it doesn’t work immediately and requires several weeks to show the results. As the body can’t produce new tissues in a blink, enhancing natural collagen production with Sculptra in the area will push tissues to work better.

How many Sculptra sessions will be enough to get a shapely butt?

In a standard session, 5 vials of Sculptra will be injected into each butt cheek, so 10 vials in total for a session. On average, Sculptra will require 2-3 sessions to give results. So a total of 20-30 vials will be injected into the butt.

How many vials of Sculptra you need for a BBL effect will also depend on your age. Because Sculptra improves collagen production, and your collagen production decreases with age, for patients over 35 it might take more Sculptra to get the desired effect.

Regardless of age, you can also go for a 4th session, for a total of 40 injections for the most dramatic results.

Procedure of Sculptra BBL

The procedure will start with applying local or topical anesthesia. After the area is numbed, the plastic surgeon will open 1 mm holes in diameter with a needle in the buttocks. Don’t worry, you won’t feel anything thanks to numbing. Next, a 26 gauge needle, which is 15 to 25mm long and 0.45 in diameter, filled with Sculptra will be used for injection.

The surgeon will do the injections in motion as focusing on one area will cause unwanted results. The whole process will take around 45 to 60 minutes depending on the number of injected vials. When everything is injected, the treatment sites will be cleaned and the procedure will be over, then you will be free to go home right away.

Details of getting Sculptra BBL

Now that we have covered the basics of the procedure, let’s dive into the details. We will talk about the safety of the procedure, compare the benefits and risks, and go through the pre and post-op timeline so you fully know what to expect throughout the entire process.

Is Sculptra BBL safe?

Yes, it is totally safe and FDA-approved. However, approved usage of the Sculptra is only for facial rejuvenation, so it can be said that Sculptra BBL is done off-label. However, this doesn’t mean Sculptra will affect you badly. In fact, most patient is quite satisfied with the process and the results.

The filler will be injected right below the upper skin layer called the dermis. For this reason, there won’t be any wide tissue damage in the area. Additionally, with local or topical anesthesia being used, patients won’t suffer from the risks or complications of general anesthesia after the procedure.

Also, Sculptra side effects are minimal as long as it is injected by an experienced provider. Sculptra BBL risks are not life-threatening and the chances of adverse reactions are extremely low.

Benefits

Especially compared to a traditional BBL (which we will, shortly) Sculptra can provide similar, yet dramatic results with less of side effects, risks, and costs.

Long in short, here are the benefits of Sculptra BBL:

No general anesthesia or surgical approach
The best alternative for patients who can’t have BBL or implants
Provides a rounder, fuller butt by stimulating collagen naturally
No severe risks and recovery period
Fixes hip dips, and cellulite and tightens the skin
Doesn’t require labs or medical clearance
Pocket-friendly

Side effects

Sculptra BBL side effects are divided into common and uncommon symptoms. Even though Sculptra is a non-surgical procedure, the injections make it a minimally-invasive treatment. Some of the side effects are inevitable and mild due to the body’s natural reaction while some may need prescriptions but are not particularly severe.

Common side effects of Sculptra BBL:

Bruising and redness
Swelling
Edema
Tenderness
Bleeding

Uncommon side effects of Sculptra BBL:

Infection in injection sites
Nodules
Itching
Hyperpigmentation
Granulomas (Lumps)

Patients will experience all of these common side effects we listed above at least for a week after each session (1). If not recovered by then, they should be gone completely by the second week. In case of any uncommon symptoms, contacting your doctor would be the best decision.

Eligibility

As mentioned previously, BBL with Sculptra doesn’t require patients to have enough fat for the procedure. That’s why it can be an excellent option for patients who are slim, don’t want to have an operation under general anesthesia, or can’t have surgery due to their medical history.

Here are the Sculptra BBL requirements:

Being at least 18 years old
Not qualified for butt implants or BBL
Not having any bleeding disorders such as hemophilia or Von Willebrand disease
Not allergic to Sculptra (extremely rare)

Even though anyone over 18 can get Sculptra, 25-45 years old patients are ideal for the procedure and will get the best results. Thanks to their production of collagen levels and completed body development.

Consultation & Preparation

During the initial consultation, the provider will explain every step of Sculptra BBL and answer your questions and concerns about the procedure. To ensure that Sculptra’s aesthetic will satisfy your expectations, they can show you before-after photos of former patients as well.

After you decide to start the sessions, there will be several instructions for your preparation. The first one is stopping smoking for a while because it reduces oxygen levels in blood flow which can impede tissue recovery. Also, blood thinners such as vitamin E or fish oil should be avoided at least a week before the procedure. Lastly, no alcohol consumption 48 hours prior to the injections.

Reminder Do not forget to inform your doctor about your medical history including any ilnesses, medicaitons, or previous surgeries.

Recovery period

Sculptra BBL injections don’t have a recovery time to go through. Because it’s a non-surgical Butt Lift, you won’t be affected by general anesthesia or don’t have to wait for a while to sit on your butt directly. Instead, you have to take care of the tiny incisions which are made for injecting the filler.

Additionally, to make Sculptra particles distributed evenly, the 5-5-5 rule can be done which is massaging the injection areas gently 5 times for 5 minutes every day for 5 days after the session. Massaging also will help with lump formation under the skin.

Lastly, if your swelling is making you uncomfortable, cold compression can help to reduce it. But remember, don’t apply cold directly on the skin as it can damage your skin by causing frostbite.

Results & longevity

Sculptra BBL results will be noticeable after 4-6 weeks after the injections. Sculptra sessions are done 2-4 weeks once so by the time you see the changes, it’ll probably be after your second butt injection. During this period, you can decide to go for the third session if not satisfied. Or, for the fourth session if the third one didn’t fulfill your expectations.

Then, how long does Sculptra BBL last? It will last for 2-3 years on average. Longevity will vary depending on the injected amount and your metabolism. If your body works faster than other people, it may cause the BBL filler to wear off earlier.

How much does Sculptra BBL cost?

Sculptra BBL cost is estimated with the injected amount of vials. One Sculptra vial costs $600 to $1000 depending on the clinic. On average, one Sculptra BBL session cost $6000 which can go up to 10000$. Since patients will need 3 sessions typically, the total cost of a Sculptra journey will be around $18000 to $30000.

Sculptra Butt Enhancement Cost	Price Range
One Vial	$600 – $1000
One Session	$6000 – $10.000
3 Full Sessions	$18.000 – $30.000

The reason for these prices is buttock augmentation with Sculptra will require more vials, unlike face rejuvenation. However, some clinics offer exclusive offers and packages for the whole Sculptra BBL journey. You can do some research and find reasonable prices according to your pocket.

How different is Sculptra from other BBL types?

Sculptra is a totally different procedure when compared to traditional BBL and its other types. The main reason is Sculptra is a BBL filler while BBL works on the patient’s own tissues. Here is a short list of which BBL types we will compare in the next paragraphs.

Traditional BBL: Regular fat harvesting and grafting surgery
Mini BBL: Small amounts of fat will be grafted
Petite BBL: For patients who are around 5’4″ or 160 cm in height
Skinny BBL: For patients who have a BMI around 18 to 21
Radiesse BBL: Another dermal filler for increasing butt volume

Let’s start the comparison with the classic BBL for it’s the base of other BBL types. Without understanding the original procedure, it will be confusing to see why there are so many types and which one is more efficient.

Sculptra vs Traditional BBL

BBL works around patients’ own fat to perform overall body contouring while Sculptra is a dermal filler that focuses on the buttocks only. Even though both procedures focus on the buttocks, BBL will give dramatic results while Sculptra’s are subtle. BBL lasts for up to ten years depending on the patient but Sculptra lasts up to 3 years as it will wear off.

BBL is a challenging procedure for which it is a surgery that has to be done under general anesthesia. Its preparation period, downtime, and potential post-op risks are not easy to deal with as well. BBL Sculptra doesn’t have such recovery time or severe risks and the preparation is quite easy. All thanks to it being a filler injection treatment and local or topical anesthesia usage.

Apart from the period milestones of both procedures, Sculptra is more affordable than BBL because it is not a surgery. There won’t be any anesthesia or facility fees that will increase the price. You will get it done in a clinic and pay a reasonable amount.

Sculptra BBL to improve traditional BBL results

Sculptra can fix post-op BBL asymmetry, unevenness, and volume loss. Your body will absorb some of the grafted fat which can result in asymmetry or volume decrease. If you improve your initial BBL, Sculptra will be an excellent option to boost your butt volume naturally.

You can get Sculptra 3 months after your initial BBL. Because there will be swelling after the surgery and it needs to be gone in order to get Sculptra Butt Lift. Also, damaged tissues in the buttocks should be healed as well. So, you will need to recover well enough from your previous surgery.

Sculptra vs Mini, Petite, and Skinny BBL

Sculptra BBL is very similar to mini, petite, and skinny BBL except for the fat transfer procedure. All can be performed under local anesthesia as the operation areas won’t be wide or small amounts of fat will be grafted. For this reason, the results also will be subtle and won’t provide patients with a voluminous butt.

Sculptra vs Radiesse BBL

Radiesse is a thick, injectable gel of calcium hydroxyapatite (CaHA) and it is a collagen stimulator as well. Different from Sculptra, Radiesse results are immediate as soon as it is injected and requires one session. However, results will change after six weeks as gel breaks down in the body and forms collagen fibers in the area. Also, results will last a year less than Sculptra BBL on average.

In terms of satisfaction, most of the patients choose Sculptra over Radiesse BBL. The reason comes from changes that happen within six weeks after Radiesse treatment.

Combining other procedures with Sculptra BBL

If you’re looking for a full BBL effect, you might want to get some other non-invasive procedures in addition to Sculptra.

Because Sculptra is an injection that increases volume, it can’t mimic the liposuction effect on the stomach or waistline. So if you get an additional treatment that targets these areas, your results can appear more similar to a traditional BBL.

CoolSculpting

CoolSculpting works by freezing fat cells under your skin with a controlled cooling device. Cooling will freeze the fat to death and the body will absorb these cells. It can target the face, abdomen, thighs, and back for contouring.

Getting CoolSculpting for various areas of your body and Sculptra for your buttocks will provide an hourglass body shape. This way, you won’t need to go under a single knife for enhancing your appearance.

Thermage

Thermage uses radiofrequency to heat the inner layers of skin to stimulate collagen formation. Applied heat will separate old collagen tissues from water and this results in immediate skin tightening. After a while, new collagen tissues will create smoother skin. It can be performed in the abdomen and thighs.

Even though Thermage doesn’t burn fat, if you have saggy areas it will be great for you. Getting Thermage while going to Sculptra sessions will boost your overall look over time.

Velashape

Similar to Thermage, if you have loose skin or excess fat in the waist, Velashape is the best non-invasive surgery you can get. It combines heat, vacuum, radiofrequency, and infrared light to tighten the skin and replace skin laxity. Velashape can be done on arms, thighs, buttocks, flank, and abdomen.

Getting rid of excessive skin while contouring your buttocks with Sculptra will be two birds with one stone. Plus, losing excess fat will take you one step closer to the hourglass shape, which is the dream of most women.

References

https://www.fda.gov/medical-devices/recently-approved-devices/sculptra-p030050s039
(1) Shridharani SM, Kennedy ML. Real-World Experience With Collagenase Clostridium Histolyticum-aaes for Buttock and Thigh Cellulite: Focus on Administration and Safety Profile. Aesthet Surg J Open Forum. 2023 Feb 20;5:ojad014. doi: 10.1093/asjof/ojad014. PMID: 37077934; PMCID: PMC10108883.
Reilly DM, Lozano J. Skin collagen through the lifestages: importance for skin health and beauty. Plast Aesthet Res 2021;8:2. http://dx.doi.org/10.20517/2347-9264.2020.153