April 9th, 2024
Dr. Thomas Bell, MD
Did you know breast implants are one of the most popular cosmetic procedures in the world? Over the years, there have been many technological advancements that have led to better, more natural-looking breast implants. The recovery process is quicker than most procedures, and the risks are also relatively low compared to others. Whether you want to enhance the natural appearance of your breasts or correct severe asymmetry, women from all walks of life are taking advantage of the benefits of the results this procedure provides.
In this article, we’ll discuss the latest stats and figures on breast implants and take a closer look at data from the International Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery (ISAPS). The American Society of Plastic Surgeons conducts comprehensive surveys on plastic surgery in the United States and other major countries around the world.
Here’s what their most recent data uncovers about breast augmentations:
The Demographics
Breast augmentations are most popular among women in Western countries. Over 98% of individuals who get breast implants are women. Breast augmentations are ranked as the number one cosmetic surgery for women based on gender distribution data, while breast implants are ranked as the 13th most popular procedure among men.
How many women get breast implants worldwide?
It’s estimated that over 4,388,607 have had some type of breast surgical procedure in 2022. According to ISAPS, 2,174,616 of those women have had breast implants.
What percentage of women have breast implants?
In 2022, breast augmentations accounted for 16.5% of all plastic surgery procedures performed on women. Therefore, every seventh woman who underwent plastic surgery in 2022 chose to have breast augmentation.
We expect this number to continue to increase as breast implants become more popular, accessible, and affordable around the world.
Popularity and Prevalence
Based on the number of procedures performed annually, breast augmentations are the second most popular surgical cosmetic procedure in the world. Over the years, these procedures have grown in popularity in many countries, including the USA, Brazil, and Mexico.
How Common is Breast Augmentation?
Breast augmentation is the most common plastic surgical procedure in the world among women. Over 54.6% of women getting breast augmentations are between the ages of 18-34, and 35.6% are between 35-50.
While breast augmentations are relatively uncommon for women 17 or younger, they do makeup around 6.6% of the overall percentage. The reasons for the procedure can vary. 42% of women under 17 receiving a breast augmentation opt for the surgery because of tubular breasts, and 27.3% because of severe asymmetry.
What Is an Average Age for Breast Augmentation?
The weighted average age for breast augmentation is 35 years. This is calculated by taking the weighted average age distribution of patients receiving breast augmentations. Here’s how the data compares:
- 17 years or younger: 21,746 (1.0%)
- 18–34 years old: 1,187,340 (54.6%)
- 35–50 years old: 774,163 (35.6%)
- 51–64 years old: 171,795 (7.9%)
- 65 years or older: 19,572 (0.9%)
Over one million women between 18-34 are receiving breast implants every year. A popular reason women after the age of 30 get breast implants is because of childbirth. The look and feel of breasts change after pregnancy. A breast augmentation can help correct these postpartum imperfections.
Breast augmentations can also help correct imperfections caused by rapid weight loss, breast cancer, and severe asymmetry.
Are Breast Implants Still Popular?
Yes, breast implants are still one of the most popular surgical cosmetic procedures in the world. From 2018 to 2022, breast implants saw a 16.8% increase. Even though the COVID-19 pandemic back in 2020 saw a slight dip in augmentations, once things returned to normal, these procedures continued to grow in popularity.
From 2021 to 2022, there was a 29% boost in worldwide breast augmentations. We expect this number to continue to increase over time as technology and strategies advance and these procedures become safer and more accessible.
What Percentage of Women Are Happy with Breast Implants?
According to the American Society of Plastic Surgeons, a high percentage of women are satisfied with their breast implants. Studies have shown that around 98% of women are satisfied with the results of their breast augmentation. These women report significant improvements in self-esteem and quality of life after the procedure, with 92% experiencing an increase in self-esteem and 64% noting an enhanced quality of life. The majority of women also find their breast size and firmness to be “just right” post-surgery.
However, it’s important to note that not all experiences are positive. Some women experience complications such as breast implant illness (BII), which includes symptoms like fatigue, joint pain, and memory loss. The awareness and diagnosis of BII have increased due to social media and patient advocacy, but it remains a controversial topic within the medical community (National Center for Health Research).
Locations and Preferences
Even though breast augmentations are the second most popular surgical cosmetic procedure in the world, it isn’t the most popular procedure in every country. Many individuals travel to other countries to get these procedures performed, leading to an uptick in medical tourism over the years.
What Is the Best Country For Breast Augmentation?
The amount of money that patients are willing to spend often serves as the most reliable indicator of which country provides the best surgical care. Therefore, the United States is considered the best country for breast augmentation.
In the United States alone, 255,200 breast augmentation surgeries were performed in 2022, making it the leader in this category globally with approximately 11.7% of the total number of breast augmentations performed worldwide.
Which Countries Have the Most Breast Implants?
The top three countries with the highest number of breast implants are the USA, Brazil, and Mexico. Along with Argentina and Germany, they account for 35% of total breast augmentations worldwide. Here’s how the numbers compared in 2022:
- USA: 255,200
- Brazil: 243,923
- Mexico: 103,524
- Argentia: 77,710
- Germany: 76,658
It is noteworthy that four of the top five breast augmentation countries are located on the American continent.
Another North American country, Canada, performs significantly fewer breast implants than the countries listed above. However, they only have around 450 surgeons and are ranked number 23 for the number of surgeons. This is significantly less than the 7,461 surgeons in the United States. However, many Canadian surgeons have a similar educational background as the United States. So, you patients expect a similar level of care, quality, and professional expertise from Canadian plastic surgeons.
What states have the most breast implants?
The Pacific and Mountain regions have the highest number of breast augmentations in the United States. The Mountain region includes Arizona, Colorado, Idaho, Montana, Nevada, New Mexico, Utah, and Wyoming, while the Pacific region comprises Alaska, California, Hawaii, Oregon, and Washington.
Approximately 37% of all breast augmentations in the United States are performed in these states. The East South Central and West South Central regions are the next most popular for this procedure.
The next most popular regions for breast augmentations are East South Central and West South Central.
Toronto is the most popular city in Canada that sees the most breast augmentations. If you’re on the East Coast and can’t drive to the Pacific and mountain regions, Toronto is a great alternative.
FAQs
How Common Is the Breast Augmentation Procedure Among Men?
In 2022, 42,640 male breast augmentation procedures were performed, accounting for 2% of the total breast implant procedures worldwide.
What Are the Top 3 Most Common Breast Procedures?
In second place is Breast Lift, with 955,026 procedures performed, following Breast Augmentation. Breast Reduction ranks third, with a total of 632,860 procedures performed worldwide in 2022.
Dr. Thomas Bell, MD
Dr. Thomas Bell has been one of Canada’s most renowned cosmetic surgeons for 25 years. He prides his excellence on the harmonious balance of vision, aesthetic appearance, and patient care.
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