Our legs and butt are hidden away during winter months, but once the weather warms up, they’re back on display. If you’ve ever Googled the term “sagging buttocks,” then you know options are limited. However there are tool, tricks and treatments of the trade that can materialize a firmer butt. With innovative smoothing tools new ways to firm and tone, it’s no wonder our lower halves are in full focus.
Featured Experts
- Andrea Rogers is the founder of Xtend Barre
- Alan Durkin, MD is a plastic surgeon based in Vero Beach, FL
- David Robbins, MD is a plastic surgeon based in Des Moines, IA
- John Williams, MD is a plastic surgeon based in Baton Rouge, LA
- Arthur Yu, MD is a plastic surgeon based in Arcadia, CA
- Janine Hopkins, MD is a dermatologist based in Southlake, TX and Monroe, LA
All the Right Moves
Xtend Barre founder Andrea Rogers’ favorite lower body moves are weight-bearing exercises that challenge stability, balance and muscle endurance. “My go-to leg, thigh and tush sculpting move is a second-position plié series,” she says. “With your legs open wide and your feet turned slightly outward. Place your hands on your hips and bend your knees. In a pulsing fashion, lower and raise your hips a few inches for 16 to 32 reps.”
Bye-Bye Cellulite
To treat cellulite, Southlake, TX and Monroe, LA dermatologist Janine Hopkins, MD says Avéli can help release the dimples. This minimally invasive cellulite treatment works by targeting and cutting the individual fibrous bands responsible for cellulite dimples on the buttocks and thighs. “We use a micro-cannula to cut and release the fibrous bands that are responsible for dimpling,” says Dr. Hopkins. This procedure is FDA cleared and Dr. Hopkins says results in smoother skin.
Another nonsurgical option is Resonic, an FDA-cleared treatment that uses acoustic pulses, or sound waves, to break up fibrous bands.
Thigh Master
According to Baton Rouge, LA plastic surgeon John Williams, MD, sagging buttocks isn’t the only thing patients are Googling. Concerns about excess fat and skin on the inner thighs is also a high body-sculpting priority. “For moderate skin laxity, I can combine liposuction with the minimally invasive BodyTite treatment. The liposuction removes the fat and the radio-frequency helps with skin retraction.” For those with more laxity and sagging, a thigh lift procedure with liposuction and skin excision may be recommended.
90 percent of women over the age of 30 will develop some form of cellulite
Source: World Village
Butt Lifters
Nonsurgical procedures to lift and sculpt sagging buttocks are growing, no pun intended. “For fat reduction around the flanks and thighs, which can help reshape the butt, CoolSculpting is a quick, easy procedure with minimal to no downtime, and results are permanent,” notes Des Moines, IA plastic surgeon David Robbins, MD.
Vero Beach, FL plastic surgeon Alan Durkin, MD likes Emsculpt NEO which uses high frequency electromagnetic energy (HIFEM) to build muscle. This firms the buttocks and increases gluteal tone. “Each cycle is like doing 20,000 squats,” he says.
The nonsurgical treatment Arcadia, CA plastic surgeon Arthur Yu, MD performs most is a “Sculptra Butt Lift.” He says cautions the procedure can be pricey. “We use about six to 12 vials per side,” he says. “However, results are instant and can last up to two years.”
For an increase in size, fullness and projection, Brazilian Butt Lift surgery is a popular choice. However, it’s important to seek a board-certified plastic surgeon, as there are safety risks. It should only be performed in an accredited office-based surgical facility or licensed hospital. “Fat must be injected above the buttock muscle,” Dr. Williams explains. “When fat is injected incorrectly into the muscle, the fat can go under the muscle and tear large veins of the buttock. This can result in the fat traveling to the lungs or heart, which is fatal.” In the end, only about 30 to 60 percent of the injected fat will stay long-term.
Body-Tightening Products to Try
To tighten, tone and get the glowiest skin below the waist, try these new lower-body essentials.
