Some people are not much bothered by their shape from the front, but are self-conscious about the hip dips they see from the side or behind — the hollows on the outer pelvis. In a thin body the curve between the pelvis and the thigh can look even more pronounced, and if there is not much fat to harvest, fat grafting may not be an option. In that situation, hip or pelvic filler can add volume exactly where it is missing. What matters more than filling a hip dip as much as possible is connecting it naturally to the existing shape of the pelvis and buttocks.
Contents
Why do hip dips look hollow at the side of the pelvis?
A hip dip is a structural feature of the body in which the side where the pelvis meets the thigh appears to curve inwards. It is not simply the result of losing weight: the width of the pelvis, the position of the femur, the shape of the gluteal muscles and where fat is distributed can all play a part.
That is why, at the same body weight, one person may have a relatively smooth line from pelvis to thigh while another looks hollow in the middle. Having hip dips does not mean anything is wrong, but some people want volume correction because the pelvic line looks interrupted in clothing or the figure looks flat from behind.
Are hip dips more visible in thin people?
In a thin body there is less fat beneath the skin, so the skeletal curve of the pelvis and buttocks shows more directly. When there is little fat at the side of the pelvis and the upper buttock in particular, the line from pelvis to thigh may not be smooth and can look deeply indented in the middle. In this case, rather than making the whole buttock larger, matching the height of the hollow to the surrounding area may matter more for creating a natural line.
Can you have hip filler if you lack fat?
If you are thin enough that there is not enough fat for autologous fat grafting, hip filler can be considered as an option. Fat grafting harvests fat from the thighs or abdomen and transfers it to the area that needs it, so a certain amount of harvestable fat is required. Hip filler, by contrast, adds volume to the area that needs it without a separate fat harvest.
It may therefore be considered in the following situations:
when overall body fat is low
when there is too little fat for autologous fat grafting
when only the hip dip needs partial correction
when you want a softer line along the side of the pelvis
when buttock volume has decreased after rapid weight loss
However, in people with thin skin and subcutaneous tissue, adding excessive volume can make the border stand out instead. The thinner the body, the more important it is to distribute the product naturally rather than to add a large amount.
In a systematic review of 10 studies (168 patients) using hyaluronic acid filler for gluteal volume, the average duration of effect was about 16 months, and some cases of injection-site inflammation and filler migration were reported.[1]
Read alsoThe difference between filler and BiVOL is covered in “Hip dips and a flat buttock: options other than filler” (Korean).
Where should filler be placed to look natural?
Hip filler is better thought of not as a treatment that always makes the buttocks bigger, but as one that fills what is missing so that the overall body line connects.
Even with the same hip dip, body shape differs from person to person. One person may have a deep hollow at the side of the pelvis, another may lack volume in the upper buttock, and another may differ in height or shape between left and right.
The following should therefore be reviewed before treatment:
the width of the pelvis
the location and depth of the hip dip
volume in the upper buttock
the line where the pelvis meets the thigh
differences between the left and right sides
the thickness of the skin and subcutaneous tissue
What matters is not “how many cc to inject” but “where to fill so that the whole line looks natural”.
In a prospective study following hyaluronic acid hip filler for one year, satisfaction fell from 90% at day 30 to 62% at 12 months.[2]
What should be checked before treatment?
Because hip filler covers a wider area than facial filler, it is important to check the material used and the treatment plan thoroughly. In particular, it is worth confirming:
which filler is used
whether it is a genuine product
whether the material is approved for use
which area will receive how much
the current thickness of skin and subcutaneous tissue
how left–right differences will be balanced
whether the change you want is within what filler can achieve
Also, depending on the volume you want and your current shape, fat grafting or another body contouring procedure may be more suitable than hip filler. It is therefore more important to review your current shape and the line you want before choosing a method, rather than deciding on a method first.
Hip filler: common myths and facts
| You may think… | In practice |
|---|---|
| "Hip filler is permanent." | Hyaluronic acid filler lasted about 16 months on average. |
| "In a thin person, filler is enough to fill it out." | If the hollow is deep, a large volume may be needed, and another method may be better. |
| "Filler has almost no side effects." | Inflammation and filler migration have been reported in some cases. |
In a hip-dip filler consultation I first estimate the depth and width of the hollow by hand to judge how much volume is needed. If a large volume is required, I also explain other options, comparing how long each lasts and what it costs.
Some people are unconcerned from the front but bothered by the hollow at the side of the pelvis seen from the side or behind. In a thin body the curve between pelvis and thigh can look more obvious, and when there is little fat, fat grafting may be difficult. In that case hip filler can be considered — but rather than filling as much as possible, the goal should be a volume that connects naturally with the surrounding shape.
🔬 The research behind this article
These are the international journal papers that support the content above. Select a title to open the abstract on PubMed.
- Aesthetic Plastic Surgery 2023 — HA hip filler, 10 studies and 168 patientsMortada H, Alkadi D, Saqr H, et al. Effectiveness and Role of Using Hyaluronic Acid Injections for Gluteal Augmentation: A Comprehensive Systematic Review of Techniques and Outcomes. Aesthetic Plast Surg. 2023;47(6):2719-2733.Key: average duration of effect about 16 monthsText [1] · PMID 37407710 · DOI
- Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology 2025 — HA hip filler, 1-year prospective studyBussade M, Faria G, Barros M, et al. Assessment of Hyaluronic Acid Filler in Gluteal Augmentation and Contouring: A 1-Year Prospective Study. J Cosmet Dermatol. 2025;24(12):e70600.Key: satisfaction 90% at day 30 → 62% at 12 monthsText [2] · PMID 41423732 · DOI
🎬 Watch: Dr. Park Seong-Soo on video
Korean-language videos from BongBong Plastic Surgery's official channel and Dr. Park's channel, “Seongsu-ro Doctor”. Titles are translated for reference; selecting one opens YouTube.
- How to fill the hips in a thin body: hip dips plus skin elasticity with BiVOL hipSeongsu-ro Doctor · 2025.12.22
- Can you have an apple hip with hip dips? BiVOL hip without implantsSeongsu-ro Doctor · 2026.08.26
Frequently asked questions
Can a hip dip be removed completely with filler?
A. A hip dip is a structural feature created by bone, muscle and fat distribution together. Filler can add volume to the hollow, but the underlying bone does not change, so improvement should be planned within the limits of your current shape.
Are hip filler and pelvic filler different?
A. The terms are often used according to the area treated. Filler focused on the line at the side of the pelvis may be called pelvic filler, and filler focused on the hip dip or buttock volume may be called hip filler; in practice the whole body shape is assessed and designed together.
Will hip filler be obvious in a thin person?
A. If the skin and subcutaneous tissue are thin, excessive volume can make the border stand out. In a thin body it is important to adjust the volume so that it blends naturally with the surrounding area rather than filling one spot heavily.
Does hip filler make the whole buttock larger?
A. Not necessarily. It can be planned to correct only a specific area that is lacking, such as a hip dip or the side of the pelvis.
📖 References
Select a [number] in the text to jump to the source, and ↩ to return. Only papers whose title, journal and year were verified on PubMed are included.
- Mortada H, Alkadi D, Saqr H, et al. Effectiveness and Role of Using Hyaluronic Acid Injections for Gluteal Augmentation: A Comprehensive Systematic Review of Techniques and Outcomes. Aesthetic Plast Surg. 2023;47(6):2719-2733. — Aesthetic Plastic Surgery 2023 — HA hip filler, 10 studies and 168 patients. ↩
- Bussade M, Faria G, Barros M, et al. Assessment of Hyaluronic Acid Filler in Gluteal Augmentation and Contouring: A 1-Year Prospective Study. J Cosmet Dermatol. 2025;24(12):e70600. — Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology 2025 — HA hip filler, 1-year prospective study. ↩
BongBong Plastic Surgery · Dr. Park Seong-Soo, Medical Director
Contact us for a consultation