Photo: Getty
For years now, the aesthetics of the booty have been in sharp focus in the environs of social media as well as in the doctor’s office. Hyper-curated images of idealistic derrières inundate feeds, and if the endless hashtags are anything to go by — #bootylicious, #belfie, #peachgoals, and #BBL — then the message is clear: the backside is an undeniably important asset that shouldn’t be discounted from beauty routines.
Thanks to the shapely cheeks of celebrities like Nicki Minaj, Kim Kardashian, and Jennifer Lopez, behinds are bigger than ever, both in physical size and in pop culture influence. Much like the rest of your body, the booty can benefit from regular pampering. From using an AHA and nourishing oil after you shower and applying a mask every week, to more intense lymphatic drainage massages and professional toning treatments, there’s something out there to treat your peach whatever your end goals.
Kim Kardashian
While acne and dryness are genuine concerns, the crux of bum beauty usually addresses issues such as skin smoothness, tightness, and tone imperfections. You may or may not have already been using your favorite body scrub or butter on your backside, but a recent boom in more intensive DIY derrière products has us questioning our former beauty regimens. In today’s Instagram-fueled beauty era, it seems that there’s a whole world of outré products and at-home tush treatments to consider.
As far as topicals go, nothing is more iconic than the legendary Sol de Janeiro Brazilian Bum Bum Cream (pronounced boom boom). This cruelty-free product has garnered global phenomenon status — a tub is sold somewhere in the world every 28 seconds — collecting stellar reviews and multiple awards along the way. Blended with caffeine-rich Guarana, and a skin-loving cocktail of cupuaçu butter and coconut and açaí oils, this rich cream is famed for its instant skin-smoothing, glow-inducing benefits. It absorbs effortlessly for a non-greasy finish, enhancing the skin with a delicate shimmer. The delicious tropical scent with notes of pistachio, vanilla, and salted caramel make it a delight for the senses, too. While a luxuriant cream may indeed be a pleasure to use, many dermatologists agree that it is not a replacement for clinical procedures. “It’s most definitely a myth to say that there are any topical products that could give you the same results as professional treatments,” says Dr Amr El Naggary, professor of plastic surgery and CEO of Yes Elite Cosmetic Clinics in Cairo. “If you’re looking for a more permanent, non-surgical boost, there are a number of highly effective options available offering great results with minimal risks and side effects, particularly for those with cellulite.”
Huda Kattan
Regardless of their fitness level, around 80 to 90% of women suffer from cellulite. The exact cause of it is unknown, but it generally occurs when pockets of fat protrude through fibrous bands of connective tissue, giving the surface of the skin the appearance of orange peel. If you’re looking for significant improvement in just one session, Dr El Naggary vouches for Spherofill Cell, an innovative device that is used to get rid of advanced cases of cellulite. “It uses a high precision, intradermal radiofrequency probe to cut the exact fibrous bands that cause the dimpling effect. The session is performed under topical anesthesia and the results are immediate and permanent.”
Another professional but minimally invasive route to a plumper posterior is fillers. From nipples and hands to earlobes and ankles, injectables are conquering new anatomical territories at an impressive rate, offering medical grade sculpting solutions that start from AED 2,000. It stands to reason, if it works on your facial cheeks, why shouldn’t it also work on your bottom? For many, the allure of injectables is that they provide natural-looking results that fade over time. While subtle, the incremental improvement can be enough to boost confidence and body shape satisfaction.
Jennifer Lopez
For those on the lookout for something with more oomph than a cream but who aren’t quite ready for professional intervention, then an at-home solution, which still delivers significant results, might be just the ticket. Enter the Cellreturn Wheroes to transform backsides from the comfort of sofas everywhere. The Wheroes is a two-piece device that sends lightwaves up into the pelvis from below. It uses infrared and LED wavelengths to smooth and tighten sagging skin, evening out pigmentation, and stimulating collagen production to improve elasticity and overall skin health. Whatever your chosen path to posterior perfection, the bottom line is this: different people require different approaches.
No squats necessary
These innovative treatments will prep your derrière to help achieve its peachy best.
Spherofill Cell — Yes Elite Cosmetic Clinic, Cairo
This minimally invasive procedure uses a radio frequency needle exactly where you need it to get rid of unsightly dimples permanently and in a single session.
Bodytite — Bodysmart, Dubai
Thermal energy reduces stubborn pockets of fat and tightens loose skin. This non-surgical body contouring procedure sculpts and reshapes to help achieve aesthetic goals.
Accent Prime — Lucia Clinic, Dubai
This powerful device combines focused ultrasound and radiofrequency to break down fat cells and tone loose skin. Results are often visible from the first session, with four to six treatments recommended.
Originally published in the July/August 2022 issue of Vogue Arabia
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