History of Cosmetic Surgery

The history of plastic surgery began more than 4,000 years ago. Although reconstructive surgery was used in India in 800 BC, the history of plastic surgery moved very slowly for thousands of years, especially in European medicine. (Eastern medicine’s history of plastic surgery is much more lengthy, with skin grafts and reconstruction described in several books on the history of plastic surgery.)  It was then until World War I that these reconstructive procedures became slightly mainstream because of necessity.  Doctors were called upon to treat a large number of individuals who had experienced severe head injuries and as a result were often missing noses, ears, lips and other body parts. During World War II the popularity of plastic surgery continued to grow and become more advanced which made doctors more well prepared for the even greater conflict.  Around that time surgeons learned to perform the procedures with speed, precision and accuracy and this allowed more people than ever before to benefit from the surgery.  Cosmetic surgery continued to evolve over the years, but plastic surgery wasn't truly recognized or defined until two European surgeons named Jacques Maliniac and Gustave Aufricht founded the American Society of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgeons, which is now known as the American Society of Plastic Surgeons or ASPS. 

          The modern and more well-known, history of plastic surgery begins in the 1960s and 70s.  The past few decades in the history of plastic surgery have brought enormous advances in treatment and awareness among the public.  As the history of plastic surgery continued to improve and expand, more techniques were perfected through research, study, and practice.  Cosmetic surgery was able to fulfill the promise of allowing everyone to look as good on the outside as they feel on the inside.  Doctors fully realized in the influence of appearances on individual success.

In 2006, the popular cosmetic choice, breast augmentation reported 329,000 people. This is the first time breast augmentation have passed nose reshaping surgery, performed on 307,000 people that year as well.  Liposuction followed in with 302,000 procedures.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

www.aboardcertifiedplasticsurgeonresource.com/plastic_surgery/history.html

www.resource4cosmeticsurgery.com/topics/history.html

http://newsmax.com/archives/articles/2007/3/22/132047.shtml