Buttock lift: are there any alternatives?

The buttock lift is a cosmetic procedure aimed at lifting, firming and reshaping the buttock region. It is primarily intended for individuals with skin laxity, loss of firmness or sagging of the buttocks related to ageing, significant weight loss or morphological changes. Several techniques exist, the most traditional being the surgical buttock lift. This involves removing excess skin and sometimes fat, then tightening the remaining tissues to redefine the buttock contour.

This procedure is performed under general anaesthesia and leaves scars, typically hidden in natural folds or at the upper part of the buttocks. Another popular technique is a lipofilling buttock lift, also known as the "Brazilian Butt Lift", which involves harvesting the patient’s fat by liposuction (from areas such as the abdomen or thighs), purifying it, and then reinjecting it into the buttocks to add volume and create a more rounded shape. This method leaves no visible scarring, but carries risks, notably the risk of fat embolism, although rare.

The buttock lift is a surgical procedure that can only be considered if the patient’s health permits. A preliminary consultation with the surgeon is therefore essential to evaluate the patient’s physical condition, clarify expectations and collect all the information necessary for a successful outcome. At the end of this evaluation, the healthcare professional will determine whether the procedure is feasible. As with any surgery, a buttock lift carries risks, among which are bruising, haematomas, wound-healing difficulties, delayed recovery, allergic reactions to anaesthesia or swelling. For those who wish to enhance the appearance of their buttocks without resorting to surgery, there are fortunately less invasive alternatives.

• Radiofrequency to promote collagen production.

  Radiofrequency treatment is a non-invasive technique that uses electromagnetic waves to target the deeper layers of the skin in the buttock area. Using a specific medical device, controlled heat is delivered locally, thus stimulating the natural production of collagen. This plays an essential role in cellular regeneration and helps to firm the skin by visibly improving its laxity and sagging appearance. It is a gradual treatment: results emerge progressively, often after several sessions spaced over a number of months. Although generally well tolerated, radiofrequency can lead to some rare side effects, such as superficial burns, pigmentary disorders or skin irritations, which vary according to the individual sensitivity of each patient.

  However, radiofrequency does not replace a surgical buttock lift, which provides more immediate and visible results by tightening the skin and reshaping the silhouette. Radiofrequency is instead a non-invasive, gentle and gradual solution, suitable for those wishing to improve firmness without surgery, but its effect is more moderate compared with a lift.

• Fat injections as an alternative to a facelift.

  Fat injections, also known as lipofilling or lipomodelling, involve harvesting the patient's own fat to reinject it into the buttocks, in order to enhance their volume and shape. This procedure is carried out in several stages. Firstly, the fat is suctioned by liposuction from areas where it is present in excess, such as the abdomen, hips or thighs. It is then purified to remove impurities and retain only viable fat cells. Finally, this fat is carefully and evenly re-injected into the buttocks using fine cannulas. This technique achieves a natural result, free of foreign bodies, while simultaneously contouring other areas of the body.

  The procedure is generally performed under general or local anaesthesia and requires a rest period of approximately 1 week. As with any procedure, it carries certain risks: partial resorption of the injected fat, asymmetries, infections or, more rarely, fat embolism. The final results are visible after a few months, once the grafted fat has stabilised.

• Buttock implants: a technique for adding volume to the buttocks.

  Buttock implants are a surgical solution used to increase volume and improve the shape of the buttocks in individuals with insufficient fat available for lipofilling. This procedure involves inserting silicone prostheses, specifically designed to withstand pressure and movement, into the gluteal muscles or just above them, depending on the technique chosen by the surgeon.

  The procedure is performed under general anaesthesia and requires a discreet incision, typically in the intergluteal crease, to minimise the visibility of scars. Once the implants are in place, the buttocks appear plumper, sculpted and symmetrical. The recovery period lasts several weeks and requires avoiding prolonged sitting as well as strenuous physical activity. As with any surgery, risks include pain, implant displacement or rupture, infection, seroma formation or capsular contracture. The results are visible immediately after the operation, but the final appearance emerges after a few months, once the oedema has subsided and the tissues have healed.

• Targeted exercises, a natural method for addressing skin laxity.

  Targeted exercises offer a natural way to counteract skin laxity of the buttocks and improve their contour. This approach is based on strengthening the gluteal muscles, specifically the gluteus maximus, medius and minimus. By regularly practising movements such as squats, lunges, hip thrusts — an exercise primarily targeting the gluteal muscles — or leg extensions, you can tone the area, stimulate blood flow and enhance skin elasticity. Although these exercises do not act directly on the skin itself, they help to tighten the tissues by supporting the skin with a firmer, more developed muscle mass.

  The results demand patience and consistency, but they are long-lasting and confer overall health benefits. Unlike medical or surgical techniques, this approach is risk-free, requires no specific products or equipment, and can be adapted for all proficiency levels. It thus provides an excellent preventive or complementary alternative to other aesthetic treatments.

• BENATEAU H. & al. Lipofilling and weight gain. Case report and review of the literature. Annales de chirurgie plastique et esthétique (2010).

• SIMON E. & al. Buttocks enhancement using silicone implants: a national practices assessement about 538 patients. Annales de chirurgie plastique et esthetique (2015).

• ALEXIADES M. & al. Microneedle radiofrequency. Facial Plastics Surgery Clinics of North America (2020).

• RUMYANTSEVA E. & al. Safety and efficacy of an injectable solution enriched with sodium hyaluronate, amino acids, and peptides in relation to superficial facial connective tissues (dermis and retinacular cutis). Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology (2024).

• MENDES R. & al. Revolution In medical aesthetics: the role Of lipofilling and advanced cellular therapies. Annals of Dermatological Science (2025).