Butt Injections vs. BBL

Cosmetic procedures aimed at adding volume to the buttocks have become increasingly popular in recent years. Two types of buttock enhancement procedures are butt injections and the Brazilian Butt Lift (BBL).

In this article, we will discuss both butt injections vs. BBL so that you can understand which butt augmentation may be suitable for you and your body.

Butt Injections

Benefits

• Buttock injections are minimally invasive and, as a result, require little downtime and leave minimal scarring
• Buttock injections can be carried out without the use of an operating theatre in a variety of outpatient clinics
• Small amounts of buttock injections can be used to correct hip dips
• Butt injections can be suitable for patients who do not have enough fat to transfer into the buttocks in a BBL
• Injections can be used as a means to experiment with adding volume to the butt, which can help them to decide if they would be suitable candidates for a full Brazilian butt lift
• Butt injections can be used to tweak the butt after a BBL without undergoing a second Brazilian butt lift procedure

Types of Butt Injections

Sculptra

Sculptra butt lift injections are an alternative to a traditional buttock lift or Brazilian butt lift. The injectable substance, made from poly-L-lactic acid, is injected into specific areas under the skin to thicken the skin and stimulate deep collagen growth. This results in a firmer and more voluptuous butt. Typically, these injections are completed over several sessions, scheduled a few days apart.

Radiesse

Radiesse injections are a calcium-based filler. They also work by stimulating collagen growth to make the skin in the butt tighter, as well as smoother. They can be done over several sessions, scheduled 3-4 months apart, to enhance the buttock by adding small amounts of volume. 

Lanluma

Lanluma butt injections are similar to Sculptra injections, consisting of a poly-L-lactic acid substance. They give the buttock a rounder and firmer appearance by stimulating the body’s natural collagen production.

Cost

The exact cost of buttock injections is dependent on the type of filler used and the complexity of this procedure. On average, the cost for buttock injections in London is around £3,000 – £6,000, depending on the product used and the amount injected. 

However, per ml of volume injected, a Brazilian butt lift is a cheaper option. In addition, a BBL provides permanent results, whereas butt injections usually need to be readministered every 18 months.

Procedure

The exact procedure of buttock injections depends on the type of substance inserted. Typically, the surgeon will first numb the buttock region with a local anaesthetic to prevent any pain or discomfort. A fine syringe is then used to insert the chosen substance. After this, the area may be massaged to ensure the product is evenly distributed across the buttocks. 

Recovery

The downtime for buttock injections is minimal as it is a non-surgical procedure. Typically, patients are able to return to work and daily activities the same or next day. Patients may experience some soreness and swelling in the buttocks for the first few days after injection, but this should quickly dissipate. 

Results

Results from Sculptra and Lanluma injections typically take 2-6 months to appear, as the filler is absorbed by the body and replaced by natural collagen. Results from Radiesse are both immediate and progressive as collagen develops. 

Brazilian Butt Lift (BBL)

A Brazilian Butt Lift is a popular buttock enhancement surgery that helps to add additional volume to the butt by moving fat that is extracted, via liposuction, from one part of the body and injected into the butt (known as fat transfer). This is in contrast to butt injections that rely on the insertion of chemical filler.  

At the CREO Clinic, our body contouring surgeon, Dr Omar Tillo, has pioneered a safer Brazilian butt lift procedure called the Buttock Enhancement and Superficial Transfer of Fat (BEST-F) technique. This involves grafting excess fat from around the buttocks and injecting it over the gluteal muscles, as opposed to under or into the muscles, a method considered significantly more dangerous for patients.   

Benefits

There are several key benefits of BBL compared to other buttock enhancement treatments:

• A Brazilian butt lift enhances the curves of the body by adding volume to the hips and buttock area, a desirable aesthetic enhancement for many patients 
• A BBL can add more volume to the butt via fat transfer compared to butt injections, where only small amounts of filler can be added
• A Brazilian butt lift involves fat transfer which removes fat from an area such as the thighs and stomach, which can further contour the body
• A BBL can add additional volume to the hips, which can significantly improve the appearance of ‘hip dips’
• A Brazilian butt lift uses the body’s own fat and not foreign chemical injections, which can bring the risk of allergic reactions
• A BBL can create natural-looking but prominent results that cannot be achieved with exercise alone

Cost

The price of a Brazilian Butt Lift at the CREO Clinic starts at £7,900 and will vary from patient to patient. Factors that contribute to determining the cost of the procedure include the areas requiring liposuction, surgical complexity, and anaesthetic methods used. 

Therefore, you will receive an exact cost breakdown of your Brazilian butt lift procedure following a 1-to-1 consultation with our body contouring surgeon, Dr Omar Tillo.

Procedure

A BBL is performed under deep sedation or general anaesthetic and takes between 2-4 hours to complete. After general anaesthetic or sedation is administered, your surgeon will begin by making incisions in the areas where excess fat is to be harvested, typically in the thighs, hips, or abdominal area. This fat is removed using liposuction technology and is then purified to prepare it for injection into the buttocks. After this, the fat is injected into specific areas of the buttocks to produce the desired BBL shape. 

At the CREO Clinic, the BEST-F technique is exclusively used to reduce risk, which involves the insertion of fat superficially above the gluteal muscle. In addition, our board-certified plastic surgeon uses an ultrasound scan to ensure fat is not injected into the muscles, further ensuring patient safety. Overall, this fat transfer involves the 3-5 small incisions that are then closed.

Recovery

Your surgeon will provide you with detailed aftercare instructions and recovery tips, as well as any required prescriptions to ensure your comfort following your Brazilian butt lift. You may experience side effects such as swelling and bruising following plastic surgery, both in the buttocks and in the areas where liposuction was used. 

In general, patients are usually able to resume most light, daily activities 2-3 weeks after plastic surgery, including a return to work. However, you may need to wait up to 4 weeks to recommence more strenuous exercise.

Results

Immediately after plastic surgery, you will be able to appreciate the increased volume of your butt. It’s important to note that during the first 3-6 months after a Brazilian butt lift, your body will absorb 30-50% of the fat injected, decreasing the butt’s volume. As such, your surgeon will inject an excess to ensure that you achieve your desired shape and size. 

It typically takes around six months for the full results of your BBL to become apparent after swelling resides, and the excess fat is absorbed. After this, you will be able to appreciate your curvier, enhanced butt and contoured silhouette.

Pros and Cons of Butt Injections

Pros and Cons of BBL

Which Cosmetic Treatment is Right for You?

At the CREO Clinic, we believe that a BBL is a superior butt augmentation of adding volume to the buttocks and, as such, do not currently provide buttock injections as a treatment. A Brazilian butt lift is able to enhance both the areas receiving liposuction and the butt itself. In addition, the amount of volume added to the butt is significantly larger in a BBL compared to injections. Overall, a Brazilian butt lift is a more cost-effective way of enhancing the butt and provides permanent results, unlike temporary injections.

Schedule a Consultation with CREO Clinic Today

We do not currently offer butt injections at the CREO Clinic. However, if you are looking to add natural-looking enhancement to your buttocks, a BBL may be a suitable procedure for you. Our board-certified plastic surgeon, Dr Omar Tillo, pioneered the BEST-F technique to ensure the safest practice in BBL procedures. 

Contact us today to book a 1-to-1 consultation and find out how a Brazilian butt lift can work for you by enhancing the contours of your body and adding volume to your butt.