History of Cosmetic Surgery

Cosmetic surgeons have always been required to have skill in precise surgical procedures, knowledge of technical instruments, astuteness and model ethics.

The history of cosmetic surgery begins in the early 9th century B.C. when surgeons in India repaired noses that had been removed as punishment. Successful surgeries were carried out from then on, although with little frequency as sterile conditions and general knowledge of the body were deficient.

It was not until the late 20th century that plastic surgery and cosmetic surgery became commonplace. While the first cleft palate was repaired in the US in the 19th century by a plastic surgeon who fashioned his own tools, plastic surgery was not routinely developed until WWI which saw a great many disfigurements that required healing techniques such as flap surgery. Flap surgery entails moving tissue sections from one part of the body (typically the side of the back) to other parts all the while keeping the tissues' blood flow continuous. This method is excellent for repairing and rebuilding the body toward an aesthetically and functionally normal state after injury.

Cosmetic surgery, thus, has its origins in the aesthetic enhancement of the body. Now a days, plastic surgery for reconstructive purposes is giving way to cosmetic surgery for appearance sake. In 2004, over 11 million persons sought to improve their image through surgery.