Dr. Amir Karam

Dr. Amir Karam Carmel Valley Facial Plastic Surgery is a leading provider of innovative and individualized aesthetic Dr. Karam specializes in facial and skin rejuvenation.
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He is an innovator, researcher, author, educator, thought leader, and has been in clinical practice for nearly 20 years. He is double board-certified by the American Board of Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery and the American Board of Otolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery. Dr. Karam graduated from UC San Diego with degrees in Biochemistry/Cell Biology and Biological Anthropology. He then went on to study medicine and his surgical specialty at UC Irvine School of Medicine. During these 14 years, Karam was extensively involved in basic science and clinical research at these institutions. This work led to numerous peer reviewed publications and scientific presentations. He has written multiple textbook chapters and his own textbook Rejuvenation of the Aging Face. Since 2006 his entire clinical focus has been on helping his patients look as young as they feel. His surgical practice is one of the popular destinations for facial rejuvenation in the world drawing patients for his unique approach, the trademarked Vertical Restore and Vertical Prevent procedures. These popular procedures along with customized fat transfer and skin rejuvenation create a harmonious and natural-looking outcome without any of the stigma of traditional facelift surgery. Learning from the challenges of his patients when faced with too many products to choose from, complicated routines, and convoluted marketing claims, Dr. Karam devoted himself to solving these issues. His solution, a highly effective yet extremely simple 3 step skin treatment system (KaramMD Trifecta) that is meant to integrate into the users daily life, delivering transformative results over time. The concept is analogous to the lifestyle, exercise, and dietary changes that lead to long term health, strength, and wellness. Clinically studied and backed by the experiences of thousands of daily users, the approach is applicable for all skin types, gender, age, and even the most sensitive skin. Dr. Karam’s experience and innovations in both surgical and skin rejuvenation fields offers him a unique opportunity to help people navigate the concepts of preventative and restorative facial rejuvenation.

01/13/2026

Before you book your Microneedling appointment… watch this video 👀

Drop the rest of your Microneedling questions below 👇🏻👇🏻👇🏻

Facial aging isn’t one problem… it’s two.Skin quality and facial structure age differently, respond differently, and req...
01/13/2026

Facial aging isn’t one problem… it’s two.

Skin quality and facial structure age differently, respond differently, and require different solutions.

Skincare can dramatically improve texture, tone, and collagen health but it cannot lift or reposition facial anatomy.

Surgery can restore facial shape but it won’t create healthy skin on its own.

Real rejuvenation happens when both are addressed thoughtfully, honestly, and at the right time.

This philosophy guides everything I do.

Save this if you want a clearer understanding of facial aging.

My philosophy has always been simple:Surgery restores changes in facial shape and volume.Skincare maintains and restores...
01/12/2026

My philosophy has always been simple:
Surgery restores changes in facial shape and volume.
Skincare maintains and restores youthful skin.

Even if you never intend to have surgical rejuvenation, you can still enjoy healthy, resilient skin for life with the right skincare and consistency.

Vertical Restore is my solution for facial shape change.
Trifecta is my solution for skin change.

The results are proven.
The rest is commitment and consistency.

Follow to learn more and comment “Trifecta” to shop now.

Quick trip with the family. I just love the mountains ❤️⛷️ my true happy place.
01/10/2026

Quick trip with the family. I just love the mountains ❤️⛷️ my true happy place.

Thank you to The Chalkboard and Cameron Lee for the opportunity to reflect on aging, identity, and feeling aligned with ...
01/09/2026

Thank you to The Chalkboard and Cameron Lee for the opportunity to reflect on aging, identity, and feeling aligned with yourself. This conversation goes beyond procedures and into what aging well truly means.

I hope you’ll take a moment to read it. Link is in my bio a@d on stories.

01/09/2026

9 weeks post-op and Tami continues to look better and better.

She’s back home in Las Vegas, living her life, and healing beautifully. At this stage, swelling continues to settle, tissues continue to soften, and the face begins to look more and more effortless and natural.

What I love most about this phase is that patients start to truly feel the change. The heaviness is gone. The shape is restored. And they begin to recognize themselves in the mirror again.

Tami has been incredibly open throughout this entire journey, and I’m so grateful she’s chosen to share these updates so honestly. Healing is not linear, but with patience and the right care, the results continue to refine week by week.

To address her aging-related changes, we performed:
Vertical Restore
Facial Fat Transfer
Upper Blepharoplasty
Lower Blepharoplasty
Lip Lift

More updates to come as her healing continues. If you’ve been following Tami’s journey, let me know what questions you have below.

I also want to thank everyone who has been following along and supporting Tami throughout her journey. Your curiosity, thoughtful questions, and encouragement mean a lot, and I know they mean a lot to her as well.

01/08/2026

Fat transfer is having a real moment and it’s not because it’s new.

It’s because people are finally understanding why facial volume loss happens and what actually restores it in a natural, long-lasting way.

We lose fat as we age. That loss changes how rested, healthy, and youthful the face looks. Replacing volume with your own fat, when done carefully and in the right hands, allows the face to age naturally without migration, puffiness, or overfilled features.

I’m seeing three things drive this shift:
• Better patient education
• Increased facial volume loss from weight loss and GLP-1 medications
• A growing awareness of the long-term limitations of repeated filler

Fat transfer isn’t about doing more. It’s about using the right tool for the right problem. Volume loss and facial sagging are not the same issue, and treating them the same way is how unnatural results happen.

When volume restoration is done thoughtfully and judiciously, it integrates with your face, moves naturally, and ages with you. That’s why it’s becoming the preferred option for long-term facial rejuvenation.

Natural. Strategic. Intentional.

Comment “2026” to get the full video sent to your DMs.

01/08/2026

My beautiful 41-year-old patient, Sara
2 months post-op Vertical Prevent facelift

This before and after is only 2 months apart, and she is now even further along in healing and looks incredible. Her confidence continues to grow, and she is truly thrilled with her decision.

Sara came in because she was already seeing early signs of facial aging and wanted to address them proactively, before those changes became more advanced. She felt ready, and this is exactly the stage where a Vertical Prevent can make a meaningful, long-term difference.

To address her early aging changes, we performed:
✅ Vertical Prevent
✅ Facial Fat Transfer
✅ Lower Blepharoplasty

Vertical Prevent vs. Vertical Restore:
Vertical Prevent is designed for patients in their 40s or early 50s who are beginning to see aging changes and want to preserve structure, reposition tissue, and slow the aging process.
Vertical Restore is a more extensive procedure used for more advanced aging. Both focus on natural, long-lasting facial rejuvenation without overfilling or altering the face.

As swelling continues to resolve, her results will only continue to refine, and she will look better and better over time.

Comment “consultation” to inquire and learn more about pricing and procedures

01/07/2026

What’s IN for facial rejuvenation in 2026 from a facial plastic surgeon.

Curious which points you agree with, and if there are any that you don’t. Comment them below.

10 Habits to Age Better in 2026Aging well isn’t about extreme routines or doing everything at once.It’s about simple hab...
01/07/2026

10 Habits to Age Better in 2026

Aging well isn’t about extreme routines or doing everything at once.
It’s about simple habits done consistently that support your skin, body, and overall health over time.

Here are 10 habits I personally follow and recommend to set yourself up for success this year:

1. Prioritize 7–8 hours of quality sleep
Sleep is when your body repairs tissue, regulates hormones, and supports skin renewal. Chronic sleep deprivation shows on your face.

2. Move your body every day
Daily movement supports circulation, joint health, and metabolism. Even 10 minutes counts.

3. Use active skincare daily
Use proven ingredients like retinol, vitamin C, niacinamide, peptides, and hyaluronic acid to support collagen, tone, and skin function.
KaramMD Skin’s Trifecta combines these actives into a simple three-step routine used morning and night — making long-term consistency realistic.

4. Hydrate daily
Hydration supports skin function, joint health, and circulation.
Aim for ~½ your body weight in ounces of water each day.

5. Get your greens in daily
Micronutrients and antioxidants help regulate inflammation and support skin and overall health.
Smoothies make consistency easy.

6. Stretch often
Stretching supports posture, mobility, circulation, and muscle health — all of which decline with age if neglected.

7. Plan meals ahead
Meal planning reduces decision fatigue and makes it easier to stay consistent with nutrition, especially during busy weeks.

8. Read before bed instead of scrolling
Reducing screen time before sleep improves sleep quality and recovery.

9. Protect your skin from the sun
Daily sun protection is one of the most effective ways to preserve collagen and slow visible skin aging.

10. Change pillowcases regularly
Clean pillowcases reduce bacteria, oil buildup, and skin irritation — especially if you’re acne-prone or using active skincare.

You don’t need to do all of this at once.
Start with one habit. Do it daily. Then build from there.

01/06/2026

This is what happens when you lose weight after a properly done facelift.

Candus came back to see me three years after her facelift, after losing a significant amount of weight while on a GLP-1 medication. I wanted to share her case because it’s an important example of how a comprehensive facelift can hold up even with major body changes.

I typically recommend patients be close to their ideal weight at the time of surgery, with a little extra volume to allow for fat transfer. That said, Candus’s results show that when a facelift is done correctly, weight loss does not have to dramatically compromise the outcome.

Because the Vertical Restore works in the deep plane and restores the facial foundation, the structure and balance of her face have remained stable despite her weight loss. The combination of a comprehensive lift and fat transfer is what allows results to age well and remain natural over time.

This is exactly why I focus on depth, anatomy, and long term durability rather than temporary fixes.

The second thing worth noting is her skin. Candus shared that since surgery, she has been consistent with sun protection and her KaramMD Trifecta routine. Her skin looks even, hydrated, and supple, and her overall complexion continues to improve over time. When skin health is supported alongside shape restoration, the results only get better.

To address her aging related changes, we performed:
✅Vertical Restore
✅ Facial Fat Transfer
✅Lower Blepharoplasty with Skin Pinch
✅Upper Blepharoplasty
✅Consistent use of the Trifecta to support long term skin health

procedures performed under local anesthesia with IV sedation. No general anesthesia.

Candus is a great example of how thoughtful surgery, realistic expectations, and consistent skin care create results that last.

Comment “consultation” for more info and pricing

As we move into 2026, the conversation around aesthetics is shifting and honestly, it’s overdue.What’s in is intention. ...
01/05/2026

As we move into 2026, the conversation around aesthetics is shifting and honestly, it’s overdue.

What’s in is intention. Education. Long-term thinking. Understanding how we age and choosing solutions that actually support that process instead of chasing trends or quick fixes.

This year is about going to specialists who truly understand facial anatomy, skin biology, and the difference between short-term fixes and real rejuvenation. It’s about approaching aging comprehensively while keeping things simple, effective, and sustainable. Comprehensive does not mean complicated. It means thoughtful and personalized.

We’re also moving past the stigma around facial rejuvenation. Taking care of your appearance, your skin, and your health is not vanity. It’s self-care. And it should always be guided by what feels right for you, not comparison or pressure.

Healthy skin, daily habits, overall wellness, and consistency are the foundation. That’s where everything starts. For many of my patients and for those serious about aging well, having a reliable skincare system like Trifecta is part of that foundation, alongside movement, nutrition, and informed decision-making.

2026 is about doing things the right way. With clarity, confidence, and respect for your own journey. It is overwhelming, but I’m here to guide you through it.

Here’s to aging well, feeling great, and choosing what’s truly best for you. I’m excited for this new chapter, how about you?

Address

11943 El Camino Real Ste 100
San Diego, CA
92130

Opening Hours

Monday 9am - 5pm
Tuesday 9am - 5pm
Wednesday 9am - 5pm
Thursday 9am - 5pm
Friday 9am - 5pm

Telephone

+18582593223

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