The 19th Century Origins of Facial Cosmetic Surgery and John H. Woodbury

John H. Woodbury was a self-trained dermatologist who, from 1870 to 1909, established a network of cosmetic surgery institutes across 6 states, employing 25 physicians and surgeons. He pioneered several facial cosmetic surgeries, such as browlifts and rhinoplasties, and developed a successful soap and cosmetic line sold to Jergens. Despite his innovations, Woodbury's career ended in bankruptcy and legal troubles, as he was not a licensed doctor. His contributions were historically significant, marking some of the earliest known cosmetic surgeries in the U.S., although his story remained largely unknown due to his focus on nonacademic publications.