Gluteal lift: are there any alternatives?

The buttock lift is a surgical procedure that can only be considered if the patient’s health condition allows it. A prior consultation with the surgeon is therefore essential to assess physical condition, discuss the patient’s expectations, and gather all the information necessary for a successful outcome. Upon completion of this evaluation, the healthcare professional will determine whether the operation is feasible. As with any surgery, the buttock lift carries risks, among which are bruising, hematomas, wound-healing difficulties, delayed healing, allergic reactions to anesthesia, and swelling. For those who wish to improve the appearance of their buttocks without resorting to surgery, there are fortunately less invasive alternatives.

• Radiofrequency to promote collagen production.

  Radiofrequency treatment is a noninvasive technique that uses electromagnetic waves to target the deep layers of skin in the buttocks. Using a specialized medical device, controlled heat is delivered locally, thereby stimulating the natural production of collagen. The latter plays an essential role in cellular regeneration and helps to firm the skin, visibly improving its laxity and its sagging appearance. This is a progressive treatment: results appear gradually, often after several sessions spaced over several months. Although generally well tolerated, radiofrequency can cause rare side effects, such as superficial burns, pigmentary disorders, or skin irritations, which vary according to each patient’s individual sensitivity.

  However, radiofrequency does not replace a surgical gluteal lift, which delivers more immediate and visible results by tightening the skin and reshaping the silhouette. Radiofrequency is instead a noninvasive, gentle, and gradual solution suited for those seeking to improve firmness without surgery, but its effect is more moderate compared to a lift.

• Fat grafting as an alternative to a facelift.

  Fat injections, also called lipofilling or lipomodeling, involve harvesting the patient's own fat and reinjecting it into the buttocks, in order to enhance their volume and shape. This method proceeds in several stages. First, fat is aspirated by liposuction from areas of excess such as the abdomen, hips, or thighs. It is then purified to remove impurities and preserve only viable fat cells. Finally, the purified fat is precisely and uniformly reinjected into the buttocks using fine cannulas. This technique achieves a natural result without foreign materials, while simultaneously reshaping other areas of the body.

  The procedure is typically performed under general or local anesthesia and requires a recovery period of about 1 week. As with any procedure, it carries certain risks: partial resorption of the injected fat, asymmetries, infections, or, more rarely, fat embolism. Final results are visible after a few months, once the grafted fat has stabilized.

• Gluteal 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 fat grafting (lipofilling). This procedure involves inserting silicone prostheses—specially 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 anesthesia and requires a discreet incision, typically in the intergluteal crease, to minimize scar visibility. Once the implants are in place, the buttocks appear rounder, more contoured, and symmetrical. Recovery lasts several weeks and requires avoiding prolonged sitting as well as intense physical activities. As with any surgery, risks include pain, implant displacement or rupture, infection, seroma formation, or hardening around the implant (known as capsular contracture). Results are visible immediately after the procedure, but the final outcome becomes apparent after a few months, once the swelling subsides and the tissues have fully healed.

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

  Targeted exercises represent a natural method for combating skin laxity of the buttocks and improving their contour. This approach is based on strengthening the gluteal muscles, specifically the gluteus maximus, medius, and minimus. By regularly performing movements such as squats, lunges, hip thrusts—an exercise primarily targeting the gluteal muscles—and leg extensions, it is possible to tone the area, stimulate blood circulation, and enhance skin elasticity. Although these exercises do not act directly on the skin itself, they help tighten the tissues by supporting the skin with a firmer, more developed muscle mass.

  The outcomes require patience and consistency, but they are long-lasting and confer comprehensive health benefits. Unlike medical or surgical techniques, this method is risk-free, requires no specialized products or equipment, and can be adapted to any proficiency level. It therefore represents an excellent preventive or complementary alternative to other aesthetic treatments.