Plenty of content creators claim they can “fix” your hip dips, making some individuals wonder if these curves are a problem. Read on to discover what causes hip dips, available cosmetic treatments at Bay Area Plastic Surgery with Dr. Leonard Gray, if hip dip exercises really work, and whether they need to be addressed at all. 

What Are Hip Dips, and Why Do I Have Them? 

Hip dips describe the inward curve of skin and tissue below the hip bones, right above your thighs. Also called “violin hips,” this anatomical feature appears more often in women, but men can have them, too.

Some influencers will say hip dips are caused by excess weight or weak muscles, but this feature has nothing to do with your fitness or health. Hip dips occur based on the bone structure of the pelvis and leg bones, which are decided by the genes inherited from your parents. 

The Science Behind Hip Dips: Bone Structure vs. Fat Distribution 

To understand the science behind hip dips, you first need to know the bones underneath and how fat distribution can play a part. Your pelvis is a group of bones that connect the bottom of your spine to your leg bones. It has three parts, the ilium, ischium, and pubis, but the ilium is the main character in your hip dip story. 

The ilium is the widest part of the pelvis. This is the bone you feel sticking out to the side below your waist, and it creates the first pelvic curve that gives your hips their rounded shape.

The next curve comes from the top of your thigh bone (femur), which has a round head and fits perfectly into the hip socket in your pelvis. This connection creates a second curve below your ilium. These two curves may be hidden by fat, but if your ilium sticks out more than average, it can create a dip below. 

Fat distribution plays a smaller role in hip dips, but it can exaggerate the shape. For example, if you store more fat in the hips and thighs, hip dips may be less noticeable. But if fat spreads more evenly or gathers in the abdomen, hip dips may be more defined. 

Are Hip Dips Normal? Understanding Body Variations 

Hip dips are completely normal and do not affect how well the hip joints and muscles work. The terms “hip dips” and “violin hips” were coined by fitness influencers and are not considered a medical diagnosis.

Some individuals still wish to lessen the appearance of their hip dips for aesthetic reasons, and the internet is bursting with techniques to “fix” them. Below, we’ll explain just how far exercises and natural remedies can get you, and which work best. 

Can You Get Rid of Hip Dips Naturally? 

You can’t get rid of hip dips through exercise and lifestyle changes because they are created by your bone shape and muscle and fat distribution, which can’t change. You can lessen the prominence of your hip dips by staying fit and lowering overall body fat. However, as this feature results from your skeleton and other genetic factors, natural remedies won’t be able to erase them completely. 

Hip Dip Exercises: Do They Really Work? 

Exercise will not fill in your hip dips because no amount of exercise can change your skeleton or direct where your body stores fat. However, hip exercises are effective at building core strength and preventing potential back and hip pain for years to come. So, even though they may not remove the dips in your hips, exercises focusing on this area still have plenty of benefits. 

Cosmetic Treatments for Hip Dips: Brazilian Butt Lift & Fat Transfer 

Since hip dips are more pronounced by excess abdominal fat and are less visible with more fat in your hips and thighs, some turn to cosmetic treatments to redistribute their fat and minimize their dips. To do this, Dr. Gray performs a Brazilian Butt Lift (BBL).  

BBL is a type of fat transfer that removes fat cells from one area of your body (typically the abdomen, thighs, or arms) via liposuction and strategically injects them into your buttocks for a lifted fuller appearance. With less fat in your abdomen and more in your buttocks, hip dips may be less noticeable than before. 

Hip Dips vs. Hourglass Figure: What’s the Difference? 

Where hip dips refer only to your hips, an hourglass figure encompasses the overall proportions of your bust, waist, and hip shape. An hourglass figure typically includes a curvier silhouette: a small, well-defined waist and larger hips and bust.

This body type can be more influenced by diet and exercise, whereas hip dips are decided by your bone structure and how your body distributes fat and muscle. Because these two terms describe different body features, you can have both an hourglass figure and hip dips. 

Embracing Your Natural Shape: Why Hip Dips Are Beautiful 

In today’s world of social media influencers and ever-changing beauty standards, it’s hard not to feel pressure to conform to society’s “ideal” body. If you have hip dips, know they are completely normal and plenty of people have them. Your hip dips are a beautiful aspect because they are a part of you. Celebrate your body, practice self-love, and embrace what makes you exquisitely unique. 

Schedule Your Consultation with Dr. Gray Today

Don’t let social media impact your relationship with the shape of your body. Renew your appearance with one of the Bay Area’s premier plastic surgeons, Dr. Leonard Gray. Contact Bay Area Plastic Surgery at (415) 434-8858 or complete our online form to schedule your consultation today.

Read on to learn more about board-certified plastic surgeon Dr. Leonard Gray at Bay Area Plastic Surgery or schedule a one-on-one consultation by contacting us online today!

What Can You Not Do After BBL?

What not to do after BBL surgery:

• Sit– It may come as a surprise how much you sit throughout your day without realizing it, but for three weeks after your Brazilian Butt Lift, you must avoid sitting as much as possible. Sitting down, even on a cushion, creates a great deal of pressure on the delicate fat cells in your new bottom. You can use the toilet, but otherwise, avoid sitting as much as you can.
• Squat or Stretch- Similar to sitting, these activities increase pressure on your buttock and can cause damage or shift the transferred fat.
• Sleep on your back– If you’re worried about unconsciously rolling over while you’re asleep and inadvertently putting pressure on your buttock, sleep with a tennis ball in the back of a snug stretchy t-shirt or even wear a backpack when you go to bed to avoid risking the results of your surgery.
• Smoke- The nicotine in cigarettes can dramatically reduce the circulation in tiny blood vessels, preventing oxygen and nutrients from being delivered to the transferred fat. Quit smoking at least a month before your surgery, and don’t resume the habit for at least one month after.
• Apply Ice- Even if you have swelling after your procedure, avoid using ice because it can be difficult to sense when your skin is too cold since some residual numbness may still be present after your surgery. If your skin is too cold, you’ll slow the blood circulation too much. Cold packs can be applied in short intervals, but make sure to ask your plastic surgeon first.

What Can You Do After BBL?

What to do after BBL surgery:

• Wear Your Compression Garment- Your surgeon will provide a stretchy garment to support your waist and hips as you recover from your butt lift. It helps to hold transplanted fat in the right place. The garment not only holds everything where it needs to be, but it can also help to reduce swelling and discomfort.
• Exercise Lightly- Take slow, short walks twice a day to boost circulation throughout your body. This can reduce swelling and promote faster healing. As time passes, you can gradually increase your distance and pace as long as your plastic surgeon says it is safe for you to do so.
• Practice Patience- It can be quite an exciting time after surgery. You’re ready to see your results and show off your bodacious body, but keep in mind that the first three weeks are the most critical stage for transplanted fat cells to establish themselves. Having the right expectations will make all the difference when it comes to recovering from a Brazilian Butt Lift.

How Long Does It Take to Recover From BBL?

After BBL surgery, it takes approximately six weeks to recover. At this point, you should be able to tell how much fat has survived the transfer process. There should be no further fat loss after this point, and your results should stay consistent.  

Schedule Your Brazilian Butt Lift Consultation Today!

The first step to having a successful surgery (before you even need to worry about the recovery process) is deciding who will conduct your procedure. For a gorgeous Brazilian Butt Lift, you need a plastic surgeon who is experienced, knowledgeable, and welcoming to perform your surgery.

Bay Area Plastic Surgery’s double-board certified plastic surgeon, Dr. Leonard Gray, has conducted countless Brazilian butt lifts in his 20-year surgical career. In that time, he has changed many lives with his compassionate care and unmatched expertise.To schedule your personalized consultation with Dr. Gray, call (415) 434-8858 or contact us through our online portal today!

With summer quickly approaching, it’s time to get started on the bikini bod. After several months of quarantine when at-home workouts turned into Netflix benders and afternoon cat naps, you may be struggling to sculpt and contour in time to fit into that itty-bitty bikini. Have no fear; Bay Area Plastic Surgery offers several procedures to help you get ready for bikini season and look and feel your absolute best.

Here are five of their most popular body contouring procedures:

1.     Liposuction

Having trouble targeting pockets of unwanted fat or cellulite? Sometimes it doesn’t matter how much we diet or exercise. There are still parts of our bodies that fat just naturally clings onto. Liposuction has been patients’ procedure of choice for years because of its ability to remove fat from various areas of the body, even those hard to target areas that no amount of squats or lunges can help smooth.  

2.     Tummy Tuck

Perhaps a slimmer, trimmer abdomen is on your summer list. This can be achieved with a tummy tuck, which targets excessive, loose skin, and stretch marks to provide a tightened appearance. A tummy tuck is an excellent solution for anyone who is finished having babies or has recently lost a significant amount of weight and would like to remove the unwanted loose skin associated with either of those life events. The procedure also tightens stretched abdominal muscles that may create bulging in the abdomen. You’ll gain the confidence back to wear that polka dot bikini with pride, but without the wasted hours lying on the gym floor.

3.     Brazilian Butt Lift

A supple, pert derriere is a must this bikini season. If it’s a fuller, more shapely buttocks you’re in search of for this summer vacation beach trip, a Brazilian Butt Lift is a must. What is so great about this procedure is that there is no need for implants; the lift is done through fat transfer. By using your own fat from a secondary location, you’re not only removing unwanted fat from another location, but you’re getting the curvy buttock that you’ve always wanted.

4.     SculpSure®

Another non-invasive procedure is SculpSure, the first FDA-approved laser procedure to safely and effectively dissolve fat. Boasting an almost total patient satisfaction rate, SculpSure is gaining popularity because of its ability to help shape the body without complicated surgery. Stubborn fat deposits, like the ones found in love handles, flanks, and abdomen, are hard to target with diet and exercise alone. SculpSure is a permeant way to remove fat cells from those stubborn areas and help you achieve your body goals.

Ready to Enjoy Your Beach Ready Body?

Dr. Gray is a board-certified plastic surgeon with over 20 years of experience conducting surgical procedures of the body, breast, and face. His passion for patient education and perfectionistic mindset have helped him to deliver highly contoured and lasting body contouring results. Dr. Gray will conduct a thorough consultation to see how you benefit from any of these offered procedures.

Learn more about any of these popular procedures by contacting Bay Area Plastic Surgery to book a consultation today!