Silicone Butt Injections vs Brazilian Butt Lift Surgery

Posted April 29, 2026 in Brazilian Butt Lift by Josef Hadeed, MD

Back side of a fit woman in white underwear

For many people, achieving a more rounded or proportional behind is a difficult goal to achieve. Genetics and body type play a significant role in the shape and size of your butt, and even though you may do hours of glute-focused exercises, it’s possible you’ll never see the results you desire. In recent years, advances in plastic surgery techniques have made the Brazilian butt lift (BBL) a popular option for boosting your booty. However, as with many cosmetic procedures, there are always people offering a cheaper alternative, including silicone butt injections. That’s when things can become dangerous—and even fatal.

In this blog, we’ll go over the vital differences between silicone butt injections and Brazilian butt lift surgery so that you’re fully informed and aware of the correct way to augment your behind.

6 Min Read:

What You Need to Know About Silicone Butt Injections

Silicone butt injections are widely known for their risks and potential complications. Despite being marketed as a quick and inexpensive alternative to Brazilian butt lift surgery, they come with serious health concerns.

Are silicone butt injections legal?

The short answer is no, silicone butt injections are not legal. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has not approved any injectable silicone for use in body enhancement. In fact, injecting liquid silicone into the body for buttock augmentation is illegal in the United States, regardless of whether it is deemed “medical grade.” However, as you may know, illegal cosmetic procedures still occur, often performed in non-medical settings by non-medical personnel.

How are silicone butt injections performed?

Silicone butt injections typically involve injecting liquid silicone directly into the buttocks using a syringe. These procedures are often performed outside sterile medical environments, such as private homes or unlicensed facilities, without proper imaging or safety protocols.

Do you need a medical license to perform silicone butt injections?

Legally, only licensed medical professionals can perform aesthetic injections, but again, silicone butt injections for body contouring are not a permitted medical procedure. Many of these injections are performed by unlicensed individuals posing as providers, significantly increasing the risk of complications.

What are the risks of silicone butt injections?

The risks associated with silicone butt injections are severe and potentially life-threatening. Because the silicone is free-flowing, it can migrate throughout the body.

Common risks of silicone injections include:

Chronic pain and inflammation
Infection and abscess formation
Skin discoloration or necrosis
Silicone embolism (blockage of blood vessels)
Organ damage
Death (in extreme cases)

Unlike surgical procedures, there is no way to precisely control the placement of silicone, making the results unpredictable and dangerous.

What You Need to Know About Brazilian Butt Lift Surgery

The Brazilian butt lift (BBL) is a medically recognized procedure that enhances the buttocks using the body’s own fat. When performed by a qualified surgeon, it offers safe, natural-looking augmentation.

Is Brazilian Butt Lift surgery legal?

Yes, the Brazilian butt lift is legal and is a widely performed cosmetic surgery. It is regulated and must be performed by a licensed, board-certified plastic surgeon in an accredited surgical facility.

How is Brazilian Butt Lift surgery performed?

A BBL involves two main steps: liposuction and fat transfer. First, excess fat is removed from areas such as the abdomen, flanks, or thighs. The fat is then purified and strategically injected into the buttocks to enhance their volume and shape.

Tried-and-true BBL techniques prioritize safety, including injecting fat only into the subcutaneous layer (above the muscle) of the buttocks under ultrasound guidance to reduce the risk of complications.

Do you need a medical license to perform Brazilian Butt Lift surgery?

Yes. Only a board-certified plastic surgeon with proper surgical training and credentials can legally and safely perform a BBL. This ensures a trained professional is treating you while adhering to strict safety guidelines, sterile technique, and appropriate patient monitoring.

What are the risks of Brazilian Butt Lift surgery?

While a BBL is considered safe when performed by a board-certified plastic surgeon, it is still a surgical procedure and therefore carries some risks, including:

Infection
Fat necrosis (fat cell death)
Asymmetrical results
Prolonged swelling or bruising
Rare risk of fat embolism

Choosing an experienced surgeon who follows current safety protocols, like Dr. Hadeed, dramatically reduces these risks and helps ensure your results are proportional and natural-looking.

What Do I Do If I’ve Had Silicone Butt Injections?

If you’ve previously received silicone injections, the best course of action is immediate removal.

Cosmetic Signs You Need Silicone Removal

Silicone injections can create noticeable aesthetic concerns, including:

Lumps or uneven texture (granuloma)
Visible deformities or asymmetry
Skin discoloration
Hardening of the tissue (fibrosis)
Distorted or unnatural shape

These changes may worsen as the silicone shifts or triggers inflammatory responses in the body.

Physical Symptoms That Mean You Need Silicone Removal

In addition to cosmetic issues, physical symptoms after silicone butt injections may indicate a more serious problem that requires immediate medical attention, including:

Persistent pain or tenderness
Swelling or warmth in the area
Open wounds or drainage
Fever or signs of infection
Fatigue or systemic illness

In severe cases, silicone migration can affect other parts of the body, making early evaluation and removal critical.

How Dr. Hadeed Performs Silicone Injection Removal

Board-certified plastic surgeon and body contouring expert Dr. Josef Hadeed specializes in complex silicone injection removal procedures designed to preserve your health and safety, as well as improve your appearance. Because silicone integrates with the surrounding tissues, removal is not as simple as extraction—it requires a meticulous, customized surgical approach.

Dr. Hadeed typically performs removal by:

Identifying affected areas using imaging and physical evaluation
Surgically removing silicone-infused tissue while preserving as much healthy tissue as possible
Addressing inflammation and scar tissue
Reconstructing the area for improved contour and symmetry

Depending on your specific needs, Dr. Hadeed may use one of the following techniques (or a combination) for silicone injection removal:

Surgical excision
Ultrasound-guided removal
VASER® ultrasound-assisted liposuction removal

In some cases, staged procedures may be necessary to safely remove large volumes of silicone and restore a more natural appearance. After removal and once healing is complete, you may be a candidate for a Brazilian butt lift or alloClae™ injections. When you come in for your silicone removal consultation with Dr. Hadeed, he’ll let you know which removal method he plans to use, as well as whether you may be able to get a BBL to restore the shape of your behind.

Learn More About Silicone Injection Removal or Brazilian Butt Lift Surgery in Beverly Hills

Silicone butt injections and Brazilian butt lift surgery may both be designed to enhance the buttocks, but they exist on opposite ends of the safety spectrum. Silicone injections are illegal, unregulated, and dangerous, while a BBL is safe, highly regulated, and offers beautiful results. To learn more about silicone butt injection removal or BBL surgery, contact board-certified plastic surgeon Dr. Josef Hadeed today by calling our office at (310) 970-2940 or requesting a consultation online.