As seasoned and busy plastic surgeons, we dedicate countless hours to our patients, helping them look and feel their best. But even the most passionate professionals need a mental reset now and then. One of the best ways to recharge is through travel—immersing ourselves in new cultures, history, and experiences. This week, we find ourselves in Portugal, a gem of a country that doesn’t always get the attention of its larger European neighbors.

We began our journey in Lisbon, a city steeped in history, with its stunning blend of traditional and modern influences. Walking through the narrow streets of Alfama, we marveled at the iconic São Jorge Castle and the breathtaking views over the Tagus River. No visit would be complete without sampling the famous pastel de nata at a local bakery and riding the iconic yellow Tram 28 through the city’s historic quarters.

Next, we made our way to Queluz, home to the magnificent Palace of Queluz, often referred to as Portugal’s answer to Versailles. The ornate interiors and beautiful gardens transported us to a bygone era of royal grandeur.

In Setúbal, we enjoyed fresh seafood along the harbor and took in the beauty of the Arrábida Natural Park, with its rugged coastline and crystal-clear waters.

Our journey also brought us to Évora, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Walking through the Roman Temple of Diana and the hauntingly fascinating Chapel of Bones reminded us of the deep history woven into this country’s fabric.

Soon, we’ll shift gears from exploration to education as we attend our conference at the southern tip of Portugal in Albufeira. But for now, Portugal offers the perfect blend of relaxation, inspiration, and cultural enrichment. Stay tuned for more insights from our travels!

With Dr. Ekstrom, enjoying….

Throughout Portugal, one can find “pousadas”, hotels converted from old castles and monasteries. For our time in Lisbon, we stayed at the Pousada Queluz. Wonderful old building across the street from the king’s summer palace

We visited the Portuguese King’s Summer Palace, the National Palace of Queluz, built in the 18th century. The palace is very opulent and we drew parallels to how many of the world’s autocrats and kleptocrats live today.

Proper brow position is essential to a balanced and youthful facial appearance. While some individuals naturally have higher brows and others lower, both can be beautiful in their own right. However, as we age, most people experience a gradual descent of the brows and the appearance of forehead creases, which contribute to a tired or aged appearance. Fortunately, there are both nonsurgical and surgical options available to restore the brows to a more youthful position.

Nonsurgical Brow Enhancement

The brows are positioned near the supraorbital rim and are influenced by two key muscles: the frontalis muscle, which elevates the brows, and the orbicularis oculi, which pulls them downward. A simple and effective way to achieve a subtle brow lift without surgery is through the use of neurotoxins such as Botox® or Dysport®. By injecting a small amount of neurotoxin beneath the lateral brow, the downward pull of the orbicularis oculi is weakened, allowing the lateral brow to lift slightly. This effect typically lasts about three months and can provide a temporary yet noticeable improvement.

The Evolution of Brow Lifts

When I first began practicing plastic surgery, the standard brow lift technique involved a bicoronal incision—an extensive cut made from ear to ear across the top of the scalp. This allowed for significant forehead and brow elevation but required excising a strip of skin along the incision, often resulting in visible scarring.

Another historical technique involved direct skin excisions above the brows to elevate them. While effective, this method also fell out of favor due to the noticeable scars it left behind.

Modern Brow Lift Techniques

Today, we achieve natural-looking brow elevation using minimally invasive endoscopic techniques. This approach involves making tiny incisions behind the hairline or, in individuals with insufficient frontal hair, through the upper eyelids. The brow is then repositioned and secured using either dissolvable Endotine devices or small screws, which protrude slightly from the scalp and are removed in the office after three weeks.

These modern techniques aim to restore the brows to their original youthful position rather than artificially elevating them to an unnatural height. When done correctly, an endoscopic brow lift not only rejuvenates the upper face but also softens forehead lines, providing a refreshed and natural look—never resulting in an overdone or “surprised” look.

For those considering brow rejuvenation, a consultation with an experienced plastic surgeon can help determine the best approach to achieve your aesthetic goals while maintaining a natural, balanced appearance.

Call us today for consultation!

Celebrity photos to show, in the case of Mike Jagger, normal forehead wrinkling and brow descent due to aging, and a photo of Ruth Bader Ginsberg in her youth and at an elder age, to demonstrate how facial rejuvenation with a face and brow lift can maintain a more youthful appearance.

Female in her early 50’s, not mentally ready for a face or brow lift, shown here before and after injections of two vials of Sculptra Aesthetic into her cheeks to address her mid cheek grooves and 40 units of Botox® into her forehead to address the transverse creases, the vertical “11’s” between the brows, and under her lateral brows to elevate the brows, performed by Dr. Juris Bunkis.

51-year-old female patient with an Upper Lid Blepharoplasty (Eyelid Surgery) and Endoscopic Brow Lift by Dr. Deborah Ekstrom.

85-year old female, shown here before and after a facelift and endoscopic brow lift performed by Dr. Juris Bunkis to restore a more youthful appearance. You can see from these before and after photos that tightening her neck/cheek/jowls alone would not have left her with a harmonious result, whereas adding a brow lift completed the rejuvenation.

Join us at our new office!