Christina AguileraRecent photos that were taken of pop singer Christina Aguilera have once again sparked rumors that the songstress has had breast implants placed to add shape to her figure.

While waving to fans in Tokyo at the premiere of the film Burlesque, Aguilera's left underarm was captured in a photo. The photo reveals a noticeable scar in the singer's armpit. Since the transaxillary (underarm) incision technique is commonly used during breast augmentation surgery, the media began speculating that the scar could be the result of an implant operation.

While it does appear that Aguilera had a breast augmentation procedure performed in the past, the nature of the scar in question leads many plastic surgeons to doubt that it is from plastic surgery. The majority of cosmetic surgeons performing transaxillary breast augmentation create an incision along the natural crease of the armpit so it is more discreet; the scar on Aguilera's armpit runs across the natural crease, rather than with it.

Is Cosmetic Surgery Losing its Stigma?

Considering the public response to Aguilera's wave, we wondered if people have a general bias against plastic surgery. According to a survey of U.S. consumers conducted by RealSelf.com and published in the American Society of Plastic Surgeons 2009 plastic surgery statistics report, 60 percent of men and 78 percent of women would undergo cosmetic procedures ranging from tooth whitening to rhinoplasty.

The online survey took place in March of 2010, and 2,148 adults age 18 and older responded. Respondents were also asked which specific aesthetic procedures men and women would undergo if money were not an issue.

Plastic Surgery Procedures

  • Breast augmentation: 2% of men, and 10% of women
  • Breast lift: 1% of men, and 26% of women
  • Breast reduction: 2% of men, and 8% of women
  • Facelift: 8% of men, and 17% of women
  • Lip augmentation: 4% of men, and 2% of women
  • Liposuction: 18% of men, and 26% of women
  • Rhinoplasty: 4% of men, and 5% of women
  • Scar removal: 10% of men, and 11% of women
  • Tummy tuck: 15% of men, and 40% of women

Non-invasive Procedures

  • Teeth whitening: 51% of men, and 46% of women
  • Vision correction surgery: 44% of men, and 35% of women
  • Hair removal: 18% of men, and 35% of women
  • Cellulite treatment: 3% of men, and 21% of women
  • Vein treatment: 6% of men, and 18% of women
  • Dermal filler injections: 7% of men, and 15% of women
  • Microdermabrasion: 4% of men, and 14% of women
  • Hair replacement: 16% of men, and 5% of women
  • Laser skin treatment: 7% of men, and 11% of women
  • Chemical peels: 5% of men, and 9% of women
  • BOTOX® injections: 4% of men, and 9% of women