The history of cosmetic surgery is probably longer than you might expect! In fact, you may be surprised to know that plastic surgery goes back hundreds of years!

History-Plastic-SurgeryHere are some of the more notable moments:

  • 1500s: The first plastic surgery textbook is written by Italian surgeon Gaspare Tagliacozzi, who developed the “Italian method” of nose reconstruction.
  • 1895: First breast augmentation. Tissue from the back of the breast was brought to the front, correcting asymmetry.
  • 1899 – Breast Implant materials are developed and used. These included beeswax, oil and paraffin.
  • 1910 – Plastic Surgery Training for WWI soldiers is developed in France.
  • 1910 – Skin grafting takes a step forward thanks to Dr. Vilray Blair, also to help treat soldiers of WWI
  • 1924 – First formal training program and fellowship for plastic surgery in the US is developed at Johns Hopkins.
  • 1930 – Plastic surgeons and ER doctors spur the invention of shatterproof windshields.
  • 1940 – Facial trauma centers are created during WWII to better treat soldiers.
  • 1943 – First Female Plastic Surgeon Alma Dea Morani.
  • 1950 – Plastic surgery is integrated into the medical establishment fully with board certification programs.
  • 1962 – Silicone breast implants are unveiled.
  • 1990 – Plastic Surgeon Dr. Murray wins Nobel Prize for his work in organ and cell transplantation.
  • 1999 – First successful hand transplant.