While many people view plastic surgery procedures as being modern in nature, facial reconstruction actually has ancient origins. If you are considering some facial plastic surgery in the near future, you may be interested to know how your desired procedure has evolved through the ages.
Here are three ancient civilizations that found a use for plastic surgery, with each having helped give birth to the modern plastic surgery movement.
1. Nose jobs in Ancient India.
Many people opt to have their nose reshaped through modern plastic surgical procedures. If you are making the choice to have a nose job, recognize that you will be engaging in a practice that began in India during the 6th Century BCE.
The Ancient Indians used to cut off the noses of criminals as a form of punishment. An Indian physician by the name of Sushruta began performing nasal reconstruction as a way to help foster forgiveness within his society. Skin was taken from either the cheek or the forehead, and then applied to the nasal region to reconstruct the shape of a nose.
While your own modern nose job won't require you to sacrifice any facial skin, it will be an evolution of the procedures first performed in Indian over 2,500 years ago.
2. Scar removal in Ancient Rome.
The Ancient Romans were among the first to use plastic surgery as a way to alter the appearance in order to remove social stigma. When an individual was sold into slavery, he or she was often branded to indicate ownership.
Once freed, this brand served as a reminder of desperate times for not only the individual wearing the brand, but for those who viewed the brand as well. In an attempt to gain the respect of their fellow countrymen, many freed Roman slaves saved to invest in scar removal procedures.
Ancient Roman physicians used primitive versions of the tools your own plastic surgeon might use to help remove scar tissue; including forceps and scalpels.
3. Facial reconstruction in Ancient Egypt.
The Ancient Egyptians are known for their devotion to the afterlife, a value made evident by the painstaking mummification process many people within the civilization underwent. Having the ability to recognize an important Egyptian in the afterlife was considered to be vitally important, and gave rise to the most primitive of plastic surgical practices.
Much as modern plastic surgeons attempt to recreate facial features that have been damaged through injury or accident, the Ancient Egyptians reconstructed the faces of their dead to ensure they would be recognizable in the afterlife.
Plastic surgery has been in practice for thousands of years, and your facial procedure will be part of a legacy spanning many ancient civilizations. Contact a clinician that specializes in SPECIAL SURGERY for more information.