The History Of Cosmetic Surgery

Today, most of us associate cosmetic surgery with celebrities. However, this form of surgery actually goes back further than 4,000 years ago.

The Beginnings

There are records dating to 2000 BC from India. These documents state how surgeons carried out particular methods of reconstructive surgery. These procedures were then able to spread across the Middle East and as far as Europe. There's evidence of the Egyptians using certain methods, and the Romans also record how they carried out basic surgery, for example, to repair earlobes that were damaged due to fighting.

Method Modernization

Cosmetic surgery as we know it came about during the early 1900s. This was mainly due to the fact that surgeons now had more advanced equipment, more improved anesthesia, and more of an understanding conce
ing hygiene and the importance of sterile equipment. However, the main aim was still focused on reconstructive surgery, for instance, skin grafting, cleft palate repair, and mastectomies.

In this respect, it may not come as a surprise to learn that a lot of breakthroughs conce
ing cosmetic surgery were due to war wounds. Surgeons were forced to try their best in reconstructing damaged tissue. For example, during WW1, there were a lot of advances made within this field as soldiers came back suffering from disfigurements due to weapons and chemical warfare. This surgery meant that they could have a more normal-looking appearance despite their injuries.

The Turning Point

1931 saw the introduction of the American Society of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgeons within the USA. This was a major turning point for the future of cosmetic surgery. This meant that regulations could be created and proper marketing of this form of surgery could move ahead.

With the development of technology, it was possible for surgery procedures to become more advanced. And, cosmetic surgery was very much part of this. It was during the middle of the 20th century that elective cosmetic surgery took off. It promoted the fact that surgery was not only for improving your health, for example, through reconstructive procedures but also to improve your looks. Initially, such procedures were reserved only for those with money. In addition, no one tended to speak openly about it.

The Present Day

Today, the climate is very different. It's not only the rich and famous who can indulge in this form of beautification. New and better techniques have been developed, and some of the most popular cosmetic improvement procedures include liposuction, breast augmentation, abdominoplasty, rhinoplasty, and eyelid surgery. Health and fitness are much more of a focus, and cosmetic surgery is an area people talk more freely about. In addition, the Internet has made it much easier for people to gain access to information as well as marketing campaigns.

Cosmetic surgery is a great way to make an individual look and feel better. There are a number of cosmetic procedures available, both surgical and nonsurgical. Every year, more and more people opt for some form of surgery. For beast augmentations alone, there were more than 318,000 carried out in 2010 in the USA.