Cosmetic surgery is an art whose origins date back to the dawn of time. This specialty was born under the impetus of all kinds of cultures and civilizations, and the political and historical factors that led to its creation are manifold. Today, cosmetic surgery has become a common practice, but along the way it has met with many refractory parties, notably religions, which have long forbidden cosmetic surgery. It was only after the Second World War that it really came into being, thanks to know-how already acquired during the First World War.
The beginnings of cosmetic surgery in ancient times
Manuals dating back more than 4,000 years and recounting facial surgery following injuries, show us that cosmetic surgery already existed among the Egyptians of Pharaonic times, the Greeks and the Romans. The Indians were already performing rough rhinoplasty and repairing the cut-off noses of adulterous women by taking skin from the forehead or cheeks. The first lipectomies were performed by the Hebrews.
The first treatise on plastic surgery in the 16th century
At the end of the Middle Ages, the first European treatise on plastic surgery appeared, written by Gaspare Tagliacozzi, but it was excommunicated by the Catholic Church, which took a dim view of the various aesthetic interventions and manipulations on the human body.
The first cosmetic procedures
In the 19th century, the first breast reduction was performed in France. The first abdominal surgery, now known as abdominoplasty, was performed in the United States.
It was in Europe and the United States that modern rhinoplasty was born, thanks to Jacques Joseph of Berlin and the American John Roe.
The XXth century chngers the history of cosmetic surgery
Aesthetic surgery was to see its full development in the 20th century, particularly during the First World War, when many soldiers in the trenches, protected only by their helmets, had their faces and bodies mutilated by bullets and shrapnel. Maxillofacial surgery units were set up.
Surgeons set about repairing these “broken faces”, developing a range of plastic and aesthetic surgery techniques. Cosmetic surgery was now better perceived by its opponents, and its benefits were recognized.
Facelifts were performed as early as 1920. Sarah Bernhardt was one of its beneficiaries, thanks to the first female plastic surgeon, Dr Suzanne Noël.
There were also unfortunate trials: injections of Vaseline and kerosene deformed some faces. Then, in 1920, Dr Willis performed the first fat injections under the skin to fill wrinkles.
The first breast prostheses were invented in 1930: balls of glass, ivory and ox cartilage, followed by celluloid, Plexiglas and synthetic foams! The first prostheses containing silicone gel were implanted in 1962.
The Second World War once again enabled us to repair faces and improve plastic and reconstructive surgery techniques. British doctors perfected a new reconstructive surgery technique, skin grafting, to repair the after affects of burns, particularly among soldiers with severe burns.
The first society of plastic surgeons was founded in France in 1952.
Progress continued after the Second World War:
- In 1952, the first dermabrasion was performed.
- In 1959, the first hair transplant.
- In 1961, the first laser surgery.
- In 1968, Dr. Ivo Pitanguy established the first cosmetic surgery clinic in Rio.
- In 1977, the renowned Dr. Illouz perfected the liposuction technique. Since then, liposuction surgery l has benefited from numerous advances and is now the most widely practised aesthetic operation in the world.
- At the end of the twentieth century, new facelift techniques were introduced, in which the operation was specialized according to the areas of the face to be treated, with variations linked to the planes of detachment.
Aesthetic surgery today
Aesthetic surgery has benefited from the considerable progress made in plastic reconstructive surgery techniques, and is now recognized as an essential surgical discipline.
Today, Several destinations have distinguished themselves for their cosmetic surgery services, and Tunisia is among the most outstanding. With its high medical standards, modern facilities and highly qualified surgeons, Tunisia has become a benchmark for cosmetic surgery. What’s more, costs here are often more affordable than elsewhere, attracting many international patients in search of quality at a reasonable price. This combination of quality and competitive rates has helped to make Tunisia a destination of choice for those considering aesthetic procedures. Chirurgia e Vcanze offers you the best rates for your cosmetic surgery in Tunisia.