Cosmetic surgery is a subspecialty of medicine and surgery that exclusively deals with the enhancement of appearance through medical and surgical techniques. It is a multi-disciplinary and methodical approach that targets the different areas of the head, neck and the rest of the body. Cosmetic surgery is highly specialized and is characterized by meticulous preparation of a patient’s skin and tissues, through precise cutting and suturing skills in order to lessen scarring. Cosmetic surgery is performed to maintain normal appearance, restore it, or aesthetically enhance it above the average level. The face is the most common area where cosmetic surgery is performed, usually to either fix disfigurement or to improve a person’s features. The most common cosmetic surgery procedures in adults are rhinoplasty, blepharoplasty, rhytidectomy and mammoplasty. A lot of people still think that cosmetic surgery is only for women, but there are now more men who choose to get facelifts, eyelid surgery, hair transplants and even tummy tucks. In the United States, the top 10 most commonly done cosmetic surgery procedures are liposuction, breast augmentation, eyelid surgery, face lift, tummy tuck, collagen injections, chemical peel, laser skin resurfacing, rhinoplasty and forehead lift. Cosmetic surgery should not be confused with plastic surgery. Both types of surgery share a few common techniques and approaches but possess somewhat different emphases. Cosmetic surgery refers to surgery that is intended to just improve cosmetics or appearance and basically make a person look younger. While plastic surgery is devoted to the surgical repair of defects of form or function. This type of surgery is usually done to correct birth defects and to get rid of skin blemishes such as birthmarks, warts or acne scars. The history of plastic surgery began in early 800 B.C. when surgeons in India practiced restoring noses to persons who have had theirs removed as a form of punishment. An ancient Indian physician named Susrutha started employing skin grafts for reconstructive work as early as 8th century B.C. Rhinoplasty and otoplasty were some procedures that were described in his work called Sushruta Samhita. Up until the late 18th century, this knowledge of plastic and cosmetic surgery has existed in India. In the other part of the world, the Romans were able to do simple procedures such as repairing injured ears during the 1st century B.C. But during the mid-15th century in Europe, a German physician named Henry Von Pfolspeundt illustrated a procedure on how to make a new nose for someone who lacks it entirely by getting skin from the back of the arm and then suturing it in place. But because of the risks and complications associated with surgeries, especially those concerning the face or head, it was not until the 19th and 20th centuries that plastic or cosmetic surgery became common. All surgery that involved healthy tissues, whether plastic or cosmetic surgery, caused a great deal of pain up until the practice of anesthesia was established. But with the introduction of sterile techniques and disinfectants, the infection from surgery was greatly reduced. Also, the invention of antibiotics and use of drugs such as penicillin and sulfa made elective surgery possible. The first plastic surgeon in the United States, Dr. John Peter Mettauer, performed the first cleft palate surgery in 1827. He also designed the instruments that he used during the operation. But it was Sir Harold Gillies from New Zealand who is considered the father of modern plastic surgery since he developed plenty of modern plastic or cosmetic surgery techniques while helping those who suffered facial injuries during World War I. One of his former students and cousin, Archibald McIndoe, expanded his work during World War II. He even found treatments for the Royal Air Force aircrew that suffered severe burns. His experimental and radical treatments brought about the formation of the Guinea Pig Club, whose goal was to assist in the rehabilitation of its members during their lengthy reconstructive treatments. Plastic and cosmetic surgeries only became common in the 20th century. By 2004, there were about 11.9 million cosmetic surgery procedures performed in the United States alone. The common cosmetic surgery procedures are: · Abdominoplasty or “tummy tuck” involves the reshaping of the abdomen. · Blepharoplasty or “eyelid surgery” is a kind of cosmetic surgery that involves reshaping of the eyelids. · Breast Augmentation requires the insertion of either saline or silicone gel prosthetics to enlarge the breasts. · Buttock Augmentation involves the use of silicone implants or fat grafting and transfer from the other parts of the body in order to enhance the butt. · Chemical Peel helps minimize the appearance of scars, acne, wrinkles, age spots and photo damage in general. Active agents like carbolic acid, trichloroacetic acid, glycolic acid or salicylic acid are usually used in chemical peels. · Chin Augmentation involves the insertion of an implant or sliding genioplasty of the jawbone. · Mastopexy or “breast lift” has to do with raising sagging breasts. · Labiaplasty is the reshaping of the labia or its surgical reduction. · Otoplasty or “ear surgery” is a cosmetic surgery that involves the reshaping of the ear. · Rhinoplasty or “nose job” is the reshaping of the nose. · Rhytidectomy or “face lift” entails the removal of wrinkles and other signs of aging from the face. · Suction-Assisted Lipectomy or liposuction is the removal of fat from different parts of the body. · Collagen, fat and other tissue filler injections like hyaluronic acid are other types of cosmetic surgery procedures. Cosmetic surgery offers a lot of physical and psychological benefits. You will not only look younger and more attractive, but your self-esteem would increase as well. But cosmetic surgery also carries some risks, like any other surgical procedure. There are some complications but these rarely occur. Modern procedures and equipment have greatly decreased the potential risks. Before undergoing cosmetic surgery, make sure that you have a healthy condition and that you choose a reliable and experienced plastic surgeon in order to ensure your safety. 

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