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Hip dips, also known as hip dimples or hip indentations, appear in the space between the love handles and the upper thighs and generally occur in people with a lower body fat content. These depressions in the hips are naturally occurring, often due to the pelvis shape and bone structure, and cannot be filled in without the help of a cosmetic procedure. While exercise can make hip dips less noticeable, increased muscle mass does not fill in the concave form of hip dips. Previously, patients believed that access to a surgical procedure was the only way to remedy the appearance of hip dips and achieve their ideal hourglass figure. However, thanks to the dermal filler, Sculptra, hip dips can be filled non-surgically without any significant side effects or downtime.

Sculptra was the first FDA-approved dermal filler to restore volume in the face for lipoatrophy and help erase fine lines and deeper wrinkles. Now, Sculptra injections have been increasing in popularity as a non-surgical alternative to having a Brazilian butt lift (BBL) and to replace lost volume in the hip dips. With no downtime in this cosmetic procedure, Sculptra injections are popular in the United States and abroad. Hip dip contouring is considered one of the most successful applications of Sculptra injections being performed on the body, along with buttock augmentation. In the past, only plastic surgery with fat transfer or hip implants was available to achieve this type of body contouring. With the advent of Sculptra, this dermal filler has achieved the same results without the need for a surgical procedure.

Dr. Michele Green is an internationally renowned, board-certified cosmetic dermatologist with over 25 years of experience. She offers the most cutting-edge treatments for non-invasive body contouring in her boutique dermatology office in Manhattan’s Upper East Side neighborhood. She was one of the first dermatologists in New York to utilize Sculptra injections for facial rejuvenation and body contouring. She has helped countless women achieve an hourglass figure with Sculptra hip dip treatment. Castle Connolly, Super Doctors, New York Magazine, and The New York Times consistently identify Dr. Green as one of New York City’s best dermatologists for her holistic approach and less-is-more philosophy regarding rejuvenation treatments. Dr. Green customizes the treatment plans of every individual to provide her patients with their desired results and address their specific concerns for natural-looking, long-lasting rejuvenation.

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How does Sculptra work to increase volume?

Sculptra Aesthetic is a unique dermal filler that stimulates the body’s ability to increase collagen production. Sculptra is a water-based injectable that uses a unique acid called Poly-L-Lactic Acid (PLLA), which acts as a bio-activator, stimulating collagen production and gradually restoring volume to the treated area. A series of treatments are needed, scheduled 4 to 6 weeks apart, to stimulate new collagen formation, restore and produce new tissue, and volumize the treated area. The results are not immediate, and full correction can take anywhere from 4 to 6 months in duration.

Sculptra’s primary purpose was to restore lost facial volume and treat fine lines and deep wrinkles by stimulating elastin and collagen production. Some of the most common areas in which Sculptra injections are used are to restore volume in the nasolabial folds (smile lines), marionette lines, and temple and to contour the cheeks, chin, and jawline. Sculptra is also used extensively for the body, for the arms, tops of knees, decolletage, buttocks, and cellulite treatment. Sculptra is also effective at treating stretch marks by building new collagen and tightening and toning the skin.

The benefit of Sculptra injections is that the full results last more than 2 years, making it the longest-lasting non-surgical buttock and hip dip augmentation procedure currently available. Sculptra provides long-term facial and body rejuvenation and is perfect for patients who prefer gradual results and want long-lasting results without surgery or downtime.

How is Sculptra different from Hyaluronic Acid Fillers or Botox?

Sculptra Aesthetic is a dermal filler whose bio-stimulatory effect evokes new collagen production. Hyaluronic acid fillers, like Juvederm, Restylane, and Belotero, add volume directly into the treated area to fill in lines and wrinkles. Botox is a neuromodulator whose mechanism of action relies on immobilizing muscles of facial expression, such as around the eyes (Crow’s feet), glabella (the 11’s), and forehead wrinkles. Many patients have a combination of Botox and dermal fillers with Sculptra injections since they serve different functions and complement the overall cosmetic results.

What is a Sculptra Butt Lift?

Another area of the body that is often addressed simultaneously as hip dips is the buttocks. The Sculptra Butt Lift is a non-surgical way to sculpt and enhance the buttocks, providing patients with more volume, shape, and firmness. Many patients with a low body fat percentage also find that augmentation to the buttocks is necessary to achieve a perfectly sculpted hourglass figure. The Sculptra butt lift is a non-surgical, non-invasive way to do so. Dr. Green is an expert in providing patients with their desired results, allowing patients to determine if they would prefer a more subtle lift or a rounder look. The treatment works by injecting the Sculptra formulation into sites throughout the area. Over several weeks, the Sculptra causes collagen production to increase in the area, providing more volume and a smooth, firm texture to the skin.

What is the difference between a Non-Surgical Butt Lift and BBL?

A non-surgical butt lift, such as the Sculptra butt lift and a Brazilian Butt Lift (BBL), helps augment the buttocks for more volume and shape to the treatment area. BBL differs in that it is a surgical procedure done by a plastic surgeon. In contrast, the Sculptra treatment is a non-invasive procedure that a dermatologist, such as Dr. Green, can perform. The surgical BBL procedure works via fat transfers from other body areas, such as the thighs or abdomen, to the buttocks. The fat transfers are performed via liposuction, which is a surgical fat removal process, and then surgically implanted in the buttocks. While BBL is highly effective at providing patients with dramatically enhanced results, the risk of developing serious side effects is much higher when undergoing a surgical procedure. Sculptra butt lift can provide patients with natural-looking augmented results without going under the knife. While neither procedure is inherently better than the other, it is essential to consider the risks involved in a surgical procedure.

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Before and After photo: Sculptra Hip Dips

How do Sculptra Injections work for hip dips?

Hip dips are more prominent in thinner patients, who have less body fat, causing a more pronounced dip between the hip bone and thigh bone. Due to the decreased volume in this area and less fat, this depression becomes more apparent. In addition, the shape of your pelvis can also define if your hip dips are more prominent due to your innate bone structure and anatomy.

Since a hip dip is an area that cannot be corrected without some cosmetic help, Sculptra has been a simple and effective way, without the need for liposuction, fat transfers, and plastic surgery, to correct this area without any significant recovery time.

A series of Sculptra treatments will restore the volume in the hip dip. Typically three to four treatment sessions are necessary for cosmetic correction of the area. Many patients choose to have the complete Sculptra BBL performed, which consists of the hip dips, cellulite, and booty plump.

How many vials of Sculptra for hip dips?

Typically a total of 20 to 30 vials of Sculptra are needed to achieve full correction of hip dips and achieve the desired hourglass figure. If an entire Sculptra BBL is desired, with a booty lift, then an increased number of vials of Sculptra will be necessary. The exact number of vials depends on the architecture and anatomy of each patient, how large a correction is needed, and the desired size of buttock augmentation.

How much is Sculptra for hip dips?

The average price for a vial of Sculptra is $1,000 in the United States. It will take approximately 8 to 10 vials per session to fully correct the hip dips, with an average of three sessions to complete cosmetic correction of the hip dip. The cost of Sculptra can vary, with nurses and spas generally costing less for Sculptra injections than experienced board-certified dermatologists or plastic surgeons.

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What is a Sculptra Butt Lift?

Many patients want a tighter, firmer buttock with more curves, and a Sculptra Butt Lift is the ideal way to achieve this goal. Unlike fat transplants, which require surgery and cannot be performed in patients with low body weight, Sculptra is non-surgical and requires no incisions, harvesting, transplantation, or recovery time. Sculptra BBL is the ideal procedure since you can control precisely the shape and size of the buttock augmentation you want.

What is the best way to get rid of hip dips?

Hip dips are naturally occurring depressions in the body between the love handles and the thighs resulting from pelvis shape and low body fat percentage. While exercising and building muscle mass can help make hip dips less visible, patients will often need to undergo a cosmetic procedure to eliminate hip dips entirely. Previously, many patients believed that the only way to eliminate hip dips was through a surgical procedure, such as a fat transfer. However, such surgeries pose a high risk of adverse events, and patients with a low body fat percentage may not have enough body fat to perform the transfer. As such, the best way to eliminate the appearance of hip dips is through Sculptra dermal filler injections. Sculptra injections add volume to the hips for a natural-looking contour of the body, providing patients with their desired body shape.

How long does Sculptra last for hip dips?

Sculptra Aesthetics is one of the longest-lasting dermal fillers available on the market, with the effects of the procedure remaining visible for up to two years post-treatment. To achieve the best results, Dr. Green recommends scheduling three to four treatment sessions, each spaced four to six weeks apart. The desired results take some time to become visible, as the treatment relies on the body’s natural collagen production to augment the treatment area. Once the effects become visible, typically four to six weeks after the treatment, they can last up to two years. However, Dr. Green recommends scheduling a yearly touch-up appointment to maintain the treatment results.

What are the side effects of Sculptra?

Sculptra is a very safe and effective treatment for hip dips that provides volume and augmentation to the treatment area with minimal risk of adverse events or side effects. Though Sculptra is composed of a synthetic active ingredient, poly-L-lactic acid (PLLA), the PLLA is biocompatible, meaning that it does not cause adverse events in humans. Patients may experience some mild bruising or swelling at the injection site following the treatment and lingering soreness. Still, these mild side effects will resolve on their own after a couple of days. Rarer side effects include the formation of nodules or bumps under the skin, which are hard to get rid of. Unlike hyaluronic acid fillers like Restylane or Juvederm, Sculptra cannot be dissolved after injection. Thus it is essential to seek out an experienced injector for your treatment.

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What is the most common side effect of Sculptra Butt Lift or for hip dips?

The most common side effects of Sculptra for hip dips are mild side effects resulting from any injectable treatment and include swelling, redness, or bruising at the injection site. The risk of significant bruising at the treatment area can be significantly reduced if patients refrain from taking blood thinners, such as ibuprofen or aspirin, in the days leading up to the treatment and avoid consuming alcohol for at least 48 hours before the procedure. These common side effects are generally mild and will resolve on their own within a week of receiving the treatment.

What if I have hip dips and Sculptra injections don’t work?

Patients can rest assured that Sculptra Aesthetics is a highly effective way to eliminate hip dips. By injecting the PLLA-based formulation into the concave hip dips, Sculptra helps to provide volume and shape to the treatment area. The Sculptra injections trigger the body’s collagen production, which works over time to enhance the volume of the hips for the ideal body contour. For patients who would like a very dramatic change in the shape of the hips, the best course of action may be a surgical fat transfer performed by a plastic surgeon. While the risks associated with surgical procedures are more severe, the results are often more dramatic than the naturally augmented effects of the Sculptra treatment.

Does Sculptra work for hip dips?

Yes! Sculptra is a very effective treatment for hip dips. Sculptra injections for hip dips are considered “off-label” use for Sculptra injections. While Sculptra is FDA-approved to treat volume loss and fill fine lines and wrinkles on the face, it is not approved to treat hip dips specifically. However, Dr. Green has been performing Sculptra injections for patients with hip dips with great effectiveness for many years. If you are receiving an off-label treatment, be sure to seek out an expert, experienced dermatologist, such as Dr. Green.

Who is a good candidate for Sculptra hip dips?

A good candidate for Sculptra hip dips is a healthy patient who wants to have a more shapely, curvy, hourglass figure, without surgery. Many patients who choose to have hip dips treated, also choose to have a Sculptra butt lift to have a larger, more shapely, buttock. Sculptra is a non-surgical, painless, in-office procedure, with no recovery time. Since patients can resume their daily activities the same day as treatment, this straightforward procedure appeals to many patients.

The results of Sculptra are at first subtle, as it takes several weeks for Sculptra to build healthy tissue, and fill in the hip dip area. With each successive treatment, the results are more impressive.

One of the many benefits of Sculptra injections is that you can decide what type of silhouette you would prefer, and how large a correction and augmentation you want. With each successive treatment, you are in control of the augmentation you want and can oversee the results of your Sculptra treatments.

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Before and After photo: Sculptra Hip Dips

Can exercise help fill in hip dips?

Exercise can help create more muscle mass around the hip and buttock areas and help improve the depression around the hip dip. The best activities to minimize the appearance of hip dips are squats, lunges, and deadlifts, which tend to increase muscle mass around the thighs and buttocks. Increasing muscle mass around these areas can improve the appearance of the area around the hip dip. These exercises cannot restore the volume and correct the hip dip completely, as Sculptra injections can for hip augmentation. The exercises can, however, help improve their appearance and make the hip dips less obvious.

Which other body contouring procedures work in conjunction with Sculptra injections?

Many patients consult Dr. Green in New York for body contouring, and areas of the body may need toning or reduction. Dr. Michele Green specializes in non-invasive body contouring and was one of the first physicians in NYC to offer Coolsculpting to her patients. Coolsculpting works through the principle of cryolipolysis and freezes the fat in the area of a fat bulge. When these fat cells are destroyed, the fat cells in this area are permanently destroyed. Coolsculpting can be used for the abdomen, flanks, inner and outer thighs, arms, bra fat, upper knee, and submental fat (double chin) under the neck. Kybella injections can also be used on these same areas and permanently remove fat cells.

Thermage is the most popular skin-tightening laser in Dr. Green’s office, and many patients choose to have Thermage in the buttock area at the same time as Sculptra injections. Thermage is an RF laser (radiofrequency laser), which heats the underlying dermal tissue, to stimulate new collagen formation. When combined with Thermage, Sculptra produces twice as much collagen and leads to lighter, firmer skin, with long-lasting results.

Many patients also want to increase muscle mass in some body regions, such as the abdomen and extremities. Both Emsculpt and Cooltone build muscle mass painlessly and effectively.

How do I get started with Sculptra for my hip dips?

If you are frustrated by the appearance of hip dips and are looking for a non-surgical treatment option to achieve an hourglass figure, body contouring with Sculptra hip dip treatment may be just the solution for you. Sculptra injections in the hip dip area are safe and effective for achieving non-surgical butt lift results. Formulated with synthetic poly-L-lactic acid, Sculptra dermal filler boosts the body’s natural collagen production to enhance hip volume and reduce hip dip indentations for the perfect hourglass figure. Dr. Green is an expert injector and was one of the first dermatologists in NYC to incorporate Sculptra for facial and body rejuvenation in her private Upper East Side dermatology office.

Dr. Michele Green in New York City is an internationally renowned board-certified dermatologist with over two and a half decades of experience providing some of the most discerning men and women worldwide with the best non-invasive treatment options available, including for body contouring. Castle Connolly, Super Doctors, and New York Magazine consistently identify Dr. Green as one of NYC’s best dermatologists for her dedication to her patients and expertise. Dr. Green takes a holistic approach and embraces a less is more philosophy when it comes to rejuvenation treatments, customizing the treatment plans of each of her patients to cater best to their specific skin concerns and ideal desired results. It is best to start with a consultation with Dr. Michele Green in her discreet private NYC office to see whether Sculptra hip dip treatment or a Sculptra BBL is best for you. To schedule a consultation with Dr. Green and start your non-surgical body contouring treatment, call the NYC office at 212 535 3088 or contact us online today.

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