Butt injections vs BBL: Understanding the Difference

Published on: February 26, 2024
Fit woman's butt in blue jeans.

Butt injections and Brazilian Butt Lifts (BBLs) are two popular procedures aimed at enhancing the appearance of the buttocks. While both can result in a fuller and shapelier rear end, they differ in terms of procedure and results. Here are some differences between butt injections vs BBL.

What Are Butt Shots?

Butt injections, also known as butt shots, involve the injection of substances such as poly-L-lactic acid (sold as Sculptra), silicone, hydrogel or PMMA (polymethylmethacrylate) into the buttocks to add volume and improve contour.

When performed outside of a medical setting, butt shots can pose significant health risks to patients. Butt injections are associated with complications such as infection, tissue damage and poor outcomes, making them a risky choice for buttock enhancement when not performed by a medical professional.

Sculptra butt injections are considered the safest method in the category of non-surgical butt augmentation. However, they should still be completed by a medical professional to ensure safety and mitigate any risks of complications.

What Does BBL Mean?

On the other hand, BBL stands for Brazilian Butt Lift, a surgical procedure that involves the transfer of fat from one area of the body to the buttocks to enhance volume and shape. During a BBL, excess fat is harvested from areas such as the abdomen, flanks, or thighs using liposuction techniques.

Once the fat is harvested, it is then purified and injected into various layers of the buttocks to achieve the desired augmentation. BBLs are performed by board-certified plastic surgeons in accredited surgical facilities, ensuring patient safety and optimal results.

Differences in Butt Injections vs. BBL Volume Enhancers

One key difference between butt injections and BBLs is the type of material used to enhance the buttocks. Butt injections typically involve the injection of synthetic substances or fillers, some of which may pose serious risks to the patient’s health.

Some of the material used in butt shots can migrate within the body, leading to complications such as lumps, infections and tissue necrosis. In contrast, BBLs utilize the patient’s own fat cells for augmentation, minimizing the risk of adverse reactions and ensuring a more natural-looking result.

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How Long to Butt Injections Last?

The longevity of results differs between butt injections and BBLs. Butt injections are temporary solutions that may last anywhere from a few months to a couple of years, depending on the type of filler used and individual factors.

How Long Do BBL Results Last?

In contrast, the results of a BBL are long-lasting, as the transferred fat cells become integrated into the existing buttock tissue. While some fat may be reabsorbed by the body over time, the majority of fat cells remain viable, providing permanent enhancement to the buttocks.

Safety Considerations

Another important consideration is the safety of the procedures. Butt injections performed by unlicensed individuals carry significant risks, including infection, allergic reactions and the development of granulomas or scar tissue.

BBLs are performed by board-certified plastic surgeons who have undergone extensive training in the procedure. These surgeons adhere to strict safety protocols and perform BBLs in accredited surgical facilities, minimizing the risk of complications and ensuring optimal outcomes.

Downtime and Recovery

One area in which butt injections can seem advantageous is the downtime and invasiveness of the procedure. There are butt shots like Sculptra injections that can be completed quickly and safely by a medical professional and require little to no downtime or recovery.

On the other hand, BBLs are cosmetic surgery and will require some downtime while recovering. The area where the liposuction occurs will need to heal, and the buttocks may be inflamed and sore after the injections. Typical recovery time from BBL is about 14 days when patients can return to work.

Differences in Cost

There is a significant difference in the cost of butt injections vs BBL procedures. Butt injections completed with Sculptra usually range from $600-$1000 per treatment. This is much less than the several thousand dollars or more that patients pay to have a BBL performed.

Additional Benefits of BBL

While both butt injections and BBL procedures can enhance the buttock region, only BBL can change the body contour. By combining liposuction with fat transfer, patients can slim areas with excess fat, like the abdomen, flanks or thighs, while increasing the volume and enhancing the shape of the buttocks.

Deciding Which is Right for You

Butt injections and BBLs are two distinct procedures aimed at enhancing the appearance of the buttocks. Butt injections involve the injection of synthetic substances or fillers into the buttocks, while BBLs utilize the patient’s own fat cells for augmentation.

Butt of a fit woman in white jeans shorts.
BBLS can result in permanent butt enhancement and a more natural-looking outcome, while safe butt injections like Sculptra have the benefits of being less invasive with a lower cost and minimal downtime.

When considering buttock enhancement procedures, it is essential to prioritize safety and seek treatment from a board-certified plastic surgeon with expertise in safe butt injections and BBL techniques.

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