The first evidence for cosmetic surgery dates back nearly five thousand years although it is unlikely the surgeons of that ancient time were quite as considerate and caring as the cosmetic surgeons of today. It is also even more unlikely that operating methods were of a similar standard to those used today.

What this evidence does suggest however, is that mankind has been seeking to alter appearance for as long as history can remember. We will never know for what reason the earliest cosmetic surgery was carried out. It could have been for ceremonial purposes or just possibly it could have been for similar reasons that thousands of patients use cosmetic procedures today, namely, to improve aspects of their appearance that make them self-conscious in an effort to be comfortable with themselves.

Modern cosmetic surgery has really only taken off in the last twenty years. Although the roots of many modern cosmetic practise date back to the restorative operations performed after both World Wars it is only since the 1980s that they have been used for purely cosmetic reasons, although this date is a little later for cosmetic surgery in the UK.

In the UK, cosmetic surgery was originally seen as something that was a little alien, almost fundamentally un-British. But over the years as we have seen the benefits of various cosmetic procedures, initially dental treatments such as tooth whitening and porcelain veneers, and later more surgical practices like breast augmentation, we have eventually accepted that cosmetic surgery has a very valid place in the medical treatment canon.

Cosmetic surgeons now offer a dazzling array of treatments to benefit the appearance of many thousands of patients each year. Covering every aspect of the body from head to toe, cosmetic procedures have enabled patients to finally deal with their appearance anxiety and grow in confidence, happy with their new look.

As medical technology continues to improve we are likely to see the number of people using cosmetic treatments steadily increase. As social acceptance becomes widespread, more and more people are considering their options, no longer put off by the idea of cosmetic surgery. To find out more about which kinds of cosmetic surgery may be available and suitable for you, make an appointment to see a cosmetic surgeon to discuss the possibilities and likely cost of treatment.