The first mention of nose surgery to improve appearance and function (rhinoplasty, nose job) date back to the 6th century BC when the “forehead flap” was described by the Indian physician Sushruta. This procedure was designed to help people whose noses had been cut off for committing crimes.

During the Middle Ages diseases like syphilis ran rampant resulting in destruction of nose tissues. Crude procedures were performed to help repair these defects and various types of nasal prostheses were designed to help cover up the defects. The famous imagery of Medieval physicians wearing masks with long beak-like shapes were designed to keep diseases and foul smells away from their noses.

In 1887, Dr John Orlando Roe (an ENT doctor practicing in Michigan) developed techniques that were simple and elegant to help change the structure of normal noses into a more pleasing aesthetic. His work with helping improve “pug noses” was groundbreaking and the first steps towards modern concepts of structural and cosmetic rhinoplasty.

The injuries sustained by soldiers during World War I often involved gruesome nose and face injuries due to the direct and brutal nature of trench warfare. Battlefield surgeons were forced to improvise and develop repair techniques that helped progress rhinoplasty even further. Sadly, as wars have continued throughout history the one silver lining has been the increased knowledge and clinical expertise gained by the brave surgeons serving the armed forces. They have been able to bring their knowledge and techniques back to civilian life.

Modern Rhinoplasty (nose job) has evolved dramatically since these early procedures. Increased understanding of the science of healing has allowed surgeons to understand that these surgeries have both short- and long-term outcomes and how to plan for that. Newer cutting-edge techniques and technologies blended with older ones has provided a broadly strategic approach for each individual patient’s needs. The days of the “Park Avenue Nose” are long gone as more natural and ethnically influenced results are desired. The procedures can be as minimally invasive (fillers, botox) or deeply invasive (rib and skin grafting) as desired and medically appropriate.

At the office of Dr Kamran Jafri MD FACS, Dr Jafri offers his patients both procedures and objective consultations on what may be the best option for them whether they are seeking functional or cosmetic improvement or both. Dr Jafri is board certified by the American Board of Facial Plastic and Reconstructive surgery and has over 17 years of experience in cosmetic surgery and procedures. Often Dr Jafri will work with select cosmetic surgeons to provide his patient with comprehensive functional and cosmetic care. Having been in training in New York City since 1997, Dr Jafri has established relationships with cosmetic surgeons that he has found to be excellent to work with and ethical in their patient care.