If the indentation between your hips and upper thighs bothers you, you may have tried exercises or weight changes to create a smoother outline. However, hip dips are largely influenced by your natural anatomy, so exercise alone may not remove them.
PowerFill is an injectable body-contouring treatment containing poly-D,L-lactic acid (PDLLA), which may add volume around hip dips while gradually stimulating collagen. Results develop over weeks and months, but the treatment cannot change your bone structure or guarantee that the indentation will disappear completely.
What Are Hip Dips?
Hip dips are inward curves along the outer sides of your hips, between your upper pelvis and thigh. They’re a normal part of your anatomy, and how noticeable they are depends on your bone structure, soft tissue and fat distribution.
You can have hip dips regardless of your weight or fitness level, and losing or gaining weight won’t necessarily change their appearance. PowerFill offers a cosmetic approach by adding soft-tissue volume around the indentation to create a smoother transition across your outer hips.
What Is PowerFill?
PowerFill is an injectable body biostimulator intended for soft-tissue volume enhancement and contouring. It contains poly-D,L-lactic acid (PDLLA), a biodegradable material that may stimulate collagen formation within treated tissues. It is offered for areas such as the buttocks and hip dips, although the benefits and suitability of treatment depend on your anatomy and individual assessment.
Unlike traditional hyaluronic acid fillers, PowerFill works through both the initial volume created during injection and the collagen your body produces over time. As the PDLLA gradually breaks down, the collagen response can continue supporting your tissues, making it a progressive body-contouring treatment rather than an instant, fixed-volume implant.
How Can PowerFill Soften Hip Dips?
PowerFill aims to add soft-tissue volume within and around your hip dips, helping create a smoother transition from your waist to your upper thighs. Your practitioner will consider your hip shape, existing tissue thickness and the level of correction you want, as deeper indentations may need more volume or staged treatment.
Research involving poly-L-lactic acid (PLLA), another collagen-stimulating injectable, has reported improvements in gluteal contour and volume. However, PLLA differs from the PDLLA used in PowerFill, and findings from these studies cannot establish how PowerFill will perform specifically for hip dips. Your outcome will depend on your anatomy, tissue characteristics and treatment plan.
Evidence Note
Direct PowerFill-specific research for hip dips remains limited. A 2026 prospective case series involving 30 women reported improvements following hip augmentation with a PDLLA–hyaluronic acid hybrid injectable, Juvelook GLAM. However, this was a different formulation from PowerFill; the study had no comparison group, and participants were assessed for only six months.
Evidence from this or PLLA hip-dip studies can support the broader concept of collagen-stimulating body contouring, but it cannot establish PowerFill’s exact effectiveness, dose, session number or complication rate.
Does PowerFill Fill the Hip Dip Immediately?
You may notice fuller hips immediately after PowerFill treatment, but this is not your final result. Some of the initial volume comes from the treatment solution and temporary swelling, which can reduce over the following days.
This doesn’t necessarily mean the treatment has failed. PowerFill’s collagen-stimulating effects develop gradually over the following weeks and months, so you’ll need to allow time before assessing your longer-term contour.
What Happens During a PowerFill Hip-Dip Treatment?
Your PowerFill appointment should begin with an assessment of your hips while you’re standing, as your shape and natural asymmetry can affect the treatment plan. Your practitioner will identify where adding volume may create a smoother curve, considering your surrounding contours rather than focusing only on the deepest part of your hip dips.
Your skin will be prepared, pain relief may be used, and the product will be injected into selected tissue planes. The amount needed depends on your anatomy and desired results, so your practitioner should tailor the treatment to you rather than use a standard volume for everyone.
What Should You Expect During the First Week?
During the first week, you may experience temporary swelling, bruising, tenderness or unevenness around your hips. Follow your practitioner’s written aftercare instructions and do not massage the area unless advised.
Ask when you can resume exercise and activities that place pressure on your hips. Recovery depends on the injection technique, treatment volume and your response. Contact your practitioner if swelling or asymmetry persists, or if you develop worsening pain or concerning skin changes.
How Do PowerFill Results Develop Over the Following Months?
Your hip contour may continue changing as the initial treatment-related fullness and swelling settle. Over subsequent months, changes associated with collagen stimulation may become more apparent, although the timing and degree of improvement vary between patients.
Research on related collagen-stimulating injectables suggests that body-contouring results are often assessed over several months. However, there is limited research establishing the exact timeline for PowerFill hip dips, so your results and how quickly they develop will vary.
How Much Can PowerFill Change a Hip Dip?
PowerFill may soften the appearance of your hip dips by adding volume around the indentation. The amount of change depends on your anatomy, tissue thickness and treatment plan.
1. Smoother contour: Treatment may create a softer transition between your hips and thighs.
2. Added fullness: Volume can be placed around the indentation to improve your overall shape.
3. Individual results: The degree of correction varies from person to person.
4. Natural limitations: PowerFill cannot change your underlying pelvic bone structure.
Your practitioner should explain what level of improvement is realistic for your body rather than promise complete correction.
What PowerFill May Change and What It Cannot Change
| Concern | What treatment may aim to do | Important limitation |
| Hip-dip indentation | Add soft-tissue volume around the depression | Cannot change pelvic bone structure |
| Side-to-side difference | Tailor product placement to each side | Perfect symmetry cannot be guaranteed |
| Overall hip curve | Create a smoother transition | Degree of correction varies |
| Tissue support | Encourage a collagen response | PowerFill-specific firmness evidence is limited |
| Deep hip dip | Build volume gradually | May require staged treatment and still remain visible |
Can PowerFill Make Both Sides Completely Symmetrical?
Perfect symmetry is rarely realistic, as your pelvis, muscles and fat distribution may naturally differ between sides. PowerFill may help improve visible asymmetry by allowing your practitioner to tailor the placement to each hip, but it cannot guarantee identical results.
Your posture, stance and camera angle can also affect how symmetrical your hips appear. Your practitioner should assess any existing differences before treatment, with the aim of improving your natural balance rather than achieving artificial perfection.
How Many PowerFill Sessions Might You Need?
There is no established PowerFill-specific number of sessions for hip dips. Your practitioner may recommend reassessment after one treatment or staged treatment depending on your anatomy, goals and response.
Schedules from PLLA or other PDLLA studies should not be applied automatically to PowerFill. Allow time for the initial result to develop before deciding whether further injections are appropriate. Ask for a written plan covering expected review visits, proposed total volume, possible additional sessions and overall cost.
Research Insight
A 2026 multicentre observational study reviewed records from 498 people who received PLLA treatment in non-facial areas. The gluteal region was the most frequently treated area, and 146 of the 1,651 recorded treatment sessions involved hip dips. This figure refers to sessions rather than individual patients. Most treatment-related adverse events were mild or moderate, although the findings relate to PLLA-SCA rather than PowerFill PDLLA.
Because the study reviewed past clinical records and included several treatment areas, its findings cannot establish PowerFill-specific safety outcomes or predict how an individual will respond to hip-dip treatment.
Is PowerFill the Same as a Brazilian Butt Lift or Fat Transfer?
No, PowerFill and a Brazilian Butt Lift (BBL) are different procedures. A BBL uses liposuction to remove your own fat before transferring it to another area, whereas PowerFill uses an injectable biostimulatory material without harvesting fat. PowerFill may suit you if you want targeted enhancement without fat-transfer surgery, but the volume and contour changes may differ.
Although PowerFill is injectable, you shouldn’t assume that body-contouring treatments are risk-free simply because they don’t involve traditional incisions. UK guidance highlights important safety considerations for dermal fillers used for buttock augmentation and body contouring. Your practitioner should explain the risks, expected results and how the treatment differs from surgical fat transfer.
UK Guidance Note
In England, CQC considers large-volume filler inserted into the breasts or buttocks by a healthcare professional to be cosmetic surgery and therefore a regulated activity. Not all routine cosmetic filler injections fall within CQC registration, and the classification of your proposed hip-dip treatment depends on its technique, location and volume. Ask your provider to confirm the requirements currently applicable to the procedure.
The UK Government has proposed further restrictions on high-risk cosmetic procedures, including buttock augmentation. These proposals should not be described as law until implemented. Check practitioner qualifications, registration, treatment setting and arrangements for managing complications before proceeding.
Can PowerFill Improve Skin Firmness as Well as Volume?
PowerFill may support changes in skin firmness alongside volume enhancement through its collagen-stimulating PDLLA ingredient. Research involving other collagen-stimulating injectables has reported improvements in certain measures of skin quality, including elasticity and dermal thickness. However, these findings cannot confirm the extent of firmness or tightening you may achieve with PowerFill specifically.
If you have loose skin around your hip dips, don’t assume PowerFill will significantly tighten it or replace a surgical lift. Discuss your concerns with your clinician so they can explain the likely benefits and whether another treatment may be more suitable for you.
How Long Might PowerFill Hip-Dip Results Last?
PowerFill is designed to provide longer-term contour improvement, as its biodegradable PDLLA material stimulates collagen production before gradually breaking down. However, there isn’t enough PowerFill-specific evidence to promise an exact duration, and your results may vary depending on your treatment, collagen response, lifestyle and changes in body weight.
Your hip contour may also change over time as your weight and fat distribution fluctuate. Rather than following a fixed maintenance schedule, your practitioner should reassess your results and discuss whether further treatment is appropriate for you.
Can PowerFill Be Dissolved if You Are Unhappy With the Result?
Unlike hyaluronic acid fillers, PDLLA-based collagen stimulators cannot generally be dissolved using hyaluronidase, the enzyme commonly used to break down hyaluronic acid fillers. This means correcting unwanted volume or contour changes may be more complicated and could require specialist assessment.
Before treatment, ask your practitioner what options would be available if you were unhappy with the result or developed a persistent lump. Understanding these limitations can help you make a more informed decision.
What Side Effects and Complications Should You Understand?
After PowerFill treatment, you may experience temporary swelling, bruising, tenderness, discomfort or unevenness around the injection sites. More significant complications may include infection, persistent nodules, delayed inflammatory reactions and contour irregularities. Injectable fillers can also cause rare but serious vascular complications if blood flow is obstructed. You should discuss these risks, the limitations of available PowerFill-specific safety data and the clinic’s complication-management arrangements before treatment.
Contact your treating clinic promptly if you develop increasing swelling, spreading redness, unusual warmth, discharge, fever or a persistent painful lump. Severe or worsening pain, particularly with skin that becomes pale, dusky, mottled or unusually cool, requires immediate medical assessment because it may indicate a problem with blood circulation. Do not wait for a routine follow-up appointment if these symptoms occur. If you develop chest pain, sudden breathlessness, collapse or another life-threatening symptom, call 999 or attend A&E immediately.
Who Might Be Suitable for PowerFill Hip-Dip Treatment?
You may be suitable for PowerFill if you want to soften a localised hip dip without undergoing traditional fat-transfer surgery. It may be more appropriate if you’re looking for modest or moderate contour improvement rather than a dramatic increase in hip size, and you understand that results develop gradually.
Your practitioner should review your medical history, previous treatments, medicines, allergies and overall health before recommending treatment. If you want significant skin tightening, greater buttock projection or a major change in your proportions, PowerFill may not be the right option for you.
Before treatment, tell your practitioner if you are pregnant or breastfeeding, have an active infection near the proposed injection area, have previously experienced complications from fillers or have a history of significant scarring or inflammatory reactions. You should also disclose any medicines that affect bleeding or immune function. These factors require individual assessment, and your clinician should check the current product instructions before confirming whether treatment is appropriate.
How Should You Choose Where to Have PowerFill Treatment?
Choosing an experienced, appropriately qualified practitioner is essential for PowerFill body contouring. You should understand their experience, how they select injection sites and depths, why the proposed amount of product suits your anatomy, and what results you can realistically expect.
Before agreeing to treatment, ask how the clinic manages complications and who you can contact if you have concerns afterwards. Rather than comparing prices or social-media photographs alone, focus on practitioner qualifications, safety procedures and clear aftercare arrangements.
Clinical Tip
Before treatment, ask how much PowerFill is planned for each hip, which tissue plane will be used and why that approach is suitable for your anatomy. Also ask how the clinic would manage infection, persistent lumps, contour irregularity or another unexpected reaction.
Ask specifically whether the proposed hip-dip use is supported by the current PowerFill product information rather than assuming that evidence or protocols for another collagen stimulator apply automatically.
Myth vs Fact
| Myth | Fact |
| Exercise can always remove hip dips. | Their appearance is strongly influenced by underlying anatomy and soft-tissue distribution. |
| PowerFill can permanently erase hip dips. | It cannot change your pelvic structure or guarantee complete correction. |
| All PDLLA and PLLA hip studies are PowerFill studies. | Different products and formulations should not be treated as interchangeable. |
| Immediate fullness is the final result. | Early appearance can include treatment volume and swelling; collagen-related change develops later. |
| Injectable body contouring is automatically low-risk. | Large-volume body augmentation can carry significant risks and requires appropriate clinical and regulatory oversight. |
Key Takeaways
1. Hip dips are a normal anatomical feature influenced by your pelvis and soft-tissue distribution.
2. PowerFill is offered for injectable body contouring, but direct PowerFill hip-dip evidence remains limited.
3. A 2026 study reported short-term improvement in hip contour among 30 women treated with a different PDLLA-containing product, but these findings do not establish PowerFill-specific outcomes.
4. PowerFill cannot change your bone structure or guarantee complete correction or symmetry.
5. The number of sessions, recovery timeline and duration should not be borrowed directly from other PDLLA or PLLA products.
6. Discuss the total treatment volume, practitioner qualifications, current product information and complication plan before proceeding.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. What are hip dips, and why do they occur?
Hip dips are inward curves along the outer sides of your hips, between your upper pelvis and thigh. Their appearance depends on your bone structure, soft tissue and fat distribution, regardless of your weight or fitness level.
2. How can PowerFill help improve hip dips?
PowerFill may help soften your hip dips by adding volume around the indentation and stimulating collagen production. Your results depend on your anatomy, existing tissue thickness and treatment plan.
3. Will PowerFill fill your hip dips immediately?
You may notice fuller hips immediately after treatment, but some of this initial volume comes from the treatment solution and temporary swelling. Longer-term improvements develop gradually over the following weeks and months.
4. What should you expect during the first week after PowerFill?
You may experience temporary swelling, bruising, tenderness or discomfort around your treated hips. Follow your clinician’s aftercare advice and avoid judging your final results while the swelling settles.
5. How much can PowerFill change your hip dips?
PowerFill may create a rounder, smoother transition between your hips and upper thighs. However, it cannot change your bone structure or guarantee that your hip dips will disappear completely.
6. How many PowerFill sessions might you need for hip dips?
There is no fixed number of sessions suitable for everyone, as your needs depend on your anatomy, goals and individual response. Your practitioner should assess your results before deciding whether further treatment is appropriate.
7. Can PowerFill make both hips completely symmetrical?
PowerFill may help improve visible asymmetry by allowing your practitioner to tailor treatment to each hip. However, natural differences in your pelvis, muscles and fat distribution mean perfect symmetry cannot be guaranteed.
8. How does PowerFill differ from a Brazilian Butt Lift?
PowerFill uses an injectable collagen-stimulating material, whereas a Brazilian Butt Lift involves transferring your own fat from one area of your body to another. PowerFill avoids fat harvesting, but the volume and contour changes may differ from those achieved through surgery.
9. How long can PowerFill hip-dip results last?
PowerFill is designed to provide longer-term contour improvement by stimulating collagen production. However, PowerFill-specific evidence is limited, so the exact duration of your results cannot be guaranteed.
10. What side effects can you experience after PowerFill hip-dip treatment?
You may experience temporary swelling, bruising, tenderness, discomfort or unevenness around the treated area. Contact your treating clinic if you develop worsening pain or swelling, spreading redness, unusual warmth, discharge or fever.
Final Thoughts: PowerFill for Hip Dips
PowerFill may offer an option for softening the appearance of hip dips, but its suitability depends on your anatomy, treatment goals and the limitations of the available evidence. Before deciding, make sure you understand the expected degree of contour improvement, possible complications and the importance of individual clinical assessment.
If you’re considering PowerFill in London, you can arrange a consultation at LMA Clinic in London to discuss your hip contours, treatment suitability and realistic expectations with an appropriately qualified practitioner.
References:
1. Lee, K.W.A. et al. (2024). ‘Poly-d,l-lactic Acid (PDLLA) Application in Dermatology: A Literature Review’. Polymers, 16(18), article 2583. Available at: https://www.mdpi.com/2073-4360/16/18/2583
2. Lee, H.E. et al. (2026). ‘Non-Surgical Hip Augmentation With a PDLLA–Hyaluronic Acid’. Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 25(3), article e70695. Available at: https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC12957896/
3. Durairaj, K.K. et al. (2026). ‘Nonfacial Use of Injectable Poly-L-lactic Acid: Safety Data From a Multicenter Observational Study in the United States’. Aesthetic Surgery Journal Open Forum, 8, article ojag053. Available at: https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC13089639/
4. Durairaj, K.K. et al. (2020). ‘Poly-L-Lactic Acid for Gluteal Augmentation found to be Safe and Effective in Retrospective Clinical Review of 60 Patients’. Dermatologic Surgery, 46(Suppl 1), pp. S46–S53. Available at: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/32976171/
5. Zubair, R. et al. (2024). ‘SPLASH: Split-Body Randomized Clinical Trial of Poly-l-Lactic Acid for Adipogenesis and Volumization of the Hip Dell’. Dermatologic Surgery, 50(12), pp. 1155–1162. Available at: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/39503574/
