From Ancient Times to Hollywood: The History and Progress of Cosmetic Surgery Throughout the Ages
We all want to enhance our appearance, right? Self-improvement is an industry that’s worth billions, and it doesn’t exclude the improvement of our physical selves. Gyms, makeup lines, and clothing brands all serve as tools for you to create your ideal look.
When it comes to plastic surgery, it has certainly flowed back and forth between being viewed as a taboo practice and being widely accepted over the years. However, it seems to have steadily gained traction throughout the ages since a person’s appearance is known to impact their quality of life and their overall success.
While cosmetic surgery originated in ancient times, long strides have been made to improve the safety and success of procedures over time. These strides have made the cosmetic enhancement industry a booming one today.
Evidence of Plastic Surgery in Ancient Egypt
As far back as 4,000 years, cosmetic enhancements have been documented. The Edwin Smith Papyrus is an Ancient Egyptian inscription that’s dated between 2500 and 3000 BC, and is actually thought to be the first mention of rudimentary rhinoplasty (which eventually moved west because of syphilis and the effect it had on the nose). It cites the practice of repairing the nose after a facial injury and details the use of tools to manipulate the shape of the nose into a desirable position and hold it in place to heal.
Ancient Egyptians are also the first known civilization to use prosthetics to improve quality of life after an amputation. A mummified woman was discovered in 2000, and archeologists were shocked to discover that she had a prosthetic toe made of leather and wood. The materials dated back between 1069 and 664 B.C.
Ancient India: The First Known Elective Cosmetic Surgeries
It’s in Ancient India, however, that true plastic surgery is thought to have begun. This is where elective surgical procedures began that were for purely cosmetic purposes.
Justin Yousef has had his ancient plastic surgery research published in the European Journal of Plastic Surgery. His findings suggest that Sushruta, an Indian physician, was performing a type of skin graft to repair the nose. The procedure was thought to have been done to alleviate societal shame associated with a missing nose.
"In ancient India, there was a practice of having one's nose removed as punishment for adulterous acts or (other acts that were) against the law at the time," Yousef says. "It was a public sign of shame. If you walked around with an absent nose, people knew that you'd done something."
Ancient Rome Leads the Way in Correcting Eye Bags?
Aulus Cornelius Celsus, an encyclopedist during the height of the Roman Empire, detailed a surgical procedure that removed excess skin from around a patient’s eye.
"Celsus described what we today would call blepharoplasty, or eyelid rejuvenation," Yousef says.
However, Yousef believes that the procedure was not purely cosmetic since it was likely performed to correct inverted eyelashes that hindered the patient’s sight. Since alcohol was the only anesthetic used during ancient times, few people would have been willing to have elective surgery like we do today.
Cosmetic Enhancement was a Slow-Moving Practice
While there is evidence of cosmetic enhancements during ancient times, the practice of surgically modifying one’s appearance had a slow road to societal acceptance. After the fall of the Roman Empire, Christianity rose in popularity, and the church frowned upon surgical enhancements. In fact, Pope Innocent III made a declaration that surgery of any kind went against the principles of the church.
Even though there is evidence of some cosmetic facial surgeries and even breast reductions during the Renaissance period, cosmetic surgery slowed to a halt for several centuries after Rome fell.
How Wartime Advanced the Cosmetic Surgery Industry
The next leap in progress for plastic surgery came by necessity during World War I. Soldiers returning from war had been wounded in the face and head, requiring major reconstructive surgery to restore their appearance as much as possible. Military surgeons in Europe devoted a ton of time and resources to improving cosmetic procedures in order to make them safer and more successful for wounded vets.
Once the war ended, there were several factors that contributed to the rise of elective cosmetic surgery:
Knowledge had grown regarding infection control, so procedures became safer for patients.
Incomes increased after the war and people could more readily pay for cosmetic enhancement.
The war created a surplus of doctors with new skills and interest in cosmetic surgery.
Cosmetic Surgery and Enhancements in the Modern Era
During the 1960s, surgeries like rhinoplasty, breast augmentation, and the reshaping of the face started to become more popular. However, advances in treatments were still largely need-driven and performed on patients needing reconstructive surgeries after trauma, cancer, or birth defects. It wasn’t until the 1990s, after the feminist movement, that elective cosmetic surgeries started to boom, due in large part to celebrities embracing the practice.
Today, in our post-pandemic world, cosmetic enhancements continue to rise in popularity. Whether it’s due to a new generation moving into its older years, or the fact that people are staring at their own facial imperfections on Zoom calls every day, beauty enhancements continue to grow in popularity and acceptance.
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