Dr. Amir Karam

Dr. Amir Karam Creator of Vertical Restore®, natural-looking facial rejuvenation, and KaramMD Skin Trifecta. Passion: Help people Look as Young as They Feel.
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Practice is located in San Diego, CA Dr. Karam specializes in facial and skin rejuvenation. 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.

04/22/2026

Your hands didn’t suddenly become “veiny.”

What you’re actually seeing is volume loss.

As we age, we lose the layer of fat that once softened and covered the tendons and veins in our hands. That natural padding disappears over time, and as a result, everything underneath becomes more visible.

That’s why hands start to look more bony, skeletal, and aged.

And this is where a lot of people get it wrong.

Treatments that focus only on the surface—like lasers or peels—can improve skin quality, but they don’t address the underlying issue.

Because the issue isn’t just the skin.

It’s what’s happening beneath it.

Once you understand that, everything about how you approach aging hands starts to change.

Full video on my YouTube channel. Watch now link in bio

04/22/2026

Comment “inflamed” and I’ll send you the full video.

Why did your skin suddenly change?

For a lot of people, it feels like it happened overnight. More reactive, less glow, and signs of aging that seem to accelerate out of nowhere.

There’s a reason for that.

It’s not just age, it’s chronic inflammation.

This is incredibly common, especially over 40 and around menopause. Your skin barrier changes, collagen is affected, and things start to look and feel different.

In this video, I break down how to tell if your skin is inflamed, what’s causing it, and what you can do about it.

04/21/2026

Update on my beautiful patient Kim 64 and just 2 weeks out from surgery!!

If you saw her pre-op yesterday, you know this was a big transformation for her. (If you don’t, check it out!!) At this stage, it’s important to understand that this is still very early. There is a lot of swelling, especially along the jawline, which is exactly where we’re seeing it here.

Healing at 2 weeks is not linear and it’s not easy. This is the phase where patients can feel unsure because everything hasn’t settled yet.

But even through that, you can already see the direction she’s going.

She looks like herself. Just more refreshed, more balanced.

And for someone who said she’d rather look old than look weird… I think it’s safe to say we’re right where we need to be.

To address her aging-related changes, we performed:
✅ Vertical Restore
✅ Facial Fat Transfer
✅ Upper Blepharoplasty
✅ Skin Pinch to Lower Lids
✅ Hand Fat Transfer
✅ Contour TRL
✅ Consistent use of the Trifecta to support skin quality of the face, neck, and hands

04/20/2026

“I’d rather look old than weird.”

This was my patient Kim the day before surgery.

Honestly… I think a lot of people can relate to that.

She just wanted to look like herself nothing overdone, nothing unnatural. Just more in line with how she feels. And I’m so glad and honored that she trusted me to be her surgeon. It’s a big deal!

Can’t wait to share an update on her post op progress😊

04/20/2026

Meet my beautiful 64-year-old Vertical Restore patient, Kim, from Idaho.

In this video, we go over her surgical plan and how we’re addressing her facial aging concerns in a comprehensive, natural way.

Because Kim wears her hair short, there is also a careful focus on her incisions along the hairline. This is something we are always mindful of, and the Vertical Restore incision design allows us to place them in a way that heals discreetly while still achieving the result she needs.

She also takes great care of her skin, which will continue to enhance her results and allow everything to look even more refined as she heals. But we are going to do a laser treatment around the mouth for some of those deeper lines she sees in that area.

To address her aging-related changes, we performed:
✅ Vertical Restore
✅ Facial Fat Transfer
✅ Upper Blepharoplasty
✅ Skin Pinch to Lower Lids
✅ Hand Fat Transfer
✅ Contour TRL
✅ Consistent use of the Trifecta to support skin quality of the face, neck, and hands

Comment if you want to see after her procedure!

04/19/2026

57 years old patient post op Vertical Restore facelift transformation 💯 This is what Vertical Restore + Trifecta creates natural looking comprehensive facial and skin rejuvenation. As we age our faces give way to gravity and fall ⬇️down. The only way to comprehensively and naturally reverse these signs of aging is through the deep deep plane. When we release those ligaments, we are able to lift and reposition the face back to its youthful position. ⬆️

My jaw is seriously on the floor at this unbelievable transformation for my 57 year old patient. I couldn’t be happier for my beautiful patient, and I’m humbled to have been apart of her journey.

Who wants to see her other angles?

To address her aging related changes, we performed:
✅ Vertical Restore

A little look at our team outside of the office. We spent the evening together hiking, getting outside, and sharing a m...
04/17/2026

A little look at our team outside of the office. We spent the evening together hiking, getting outside, and sharing a meal. And we got the most beautiful weather and sunset! Feeling lucky to live in San Diego.

This team shows up for our patients every single day, and getting to step away and spend time together like this is a good way to slow down and appreciate them. There is so much trust, support, and care goes into what we do. And we actually like spending time together 😂

Being active and outside is my favorite thing to do outside of work so I love connecting with my team in this way. ❤️

My patient Erin is 55 and 6 months post-op from her Vertical Restore, and she’s finally looking as young as she feels.Th...
04/16/2026

My patient Erin is 55 and 6 months post-op from her Vertical Restore, and she’s finally looking as young as she feels.

This is what a natural result with meaningful improvement looks like.

With the Vertical Restore, I’m working in the deep plane to release and reposition the underlying structures of the face. That’s what allows the result to look balanced, refined, and completely like her.

At 6 months, everything is still settling, but you can already see how her jawline and neck have been restored in a way that looks effortless and natural.

When it comes to the Vertical Restore, there are two things I deliver every time:
a result that looks natural and never overdone, and a clear, significant improvement.

She’s also been consistent with the Trifecta, and her skin continues to improve alongside her surgical results.

This is always the goal.
Not to look different, but to look like yourself again.

04/16/2026

There are two types of anesthesia commonly used for a facelift: general anesthesia and local anesthesia with IV sedation.

Over the past 20 years, I’ve chosen to perform my procedures under local with IV sedation because, in my experience, it leads to a smoother recovery and avoids some of the risks associated with general anesthesia.

Since sharing more about this on YouTube, I’ve seen many comments from patients saying this made them feel more comfortable moving forward—and that’s exactly the goal. A facelift is an elective procedure, so if we can minimize risk as much as possible while still achieving a beautiful result, that should always be the priority.

The story at the end of this video is not meant to scare you, and it is not a common occurrence—but it was my patient’s experience, and I’m grateful I had an approach that made her and her family feel more comfortable moving forward.

Some patients still choose general anesthesia, and that is absolutely a valid option when done appropriately. What matters most is understanding your options and having a surgeon that you trust to prioritize your safety and make the right decisions for you.

comment “awake” to get a link to the full video.

04/15/2026

At 52, Candus made the decision to undergo a Vertical Restore. Now at 55, after losing 30 pounds, her results have held up in a way that still looks natural, balanced, and completely like her. You guys always ask what happens if you lose weight after surgery, and this is a great example of how results can last when things are done comprehensively.

Looking as young as she felt gave her a new level of confidence, and it truly inspired her to keep improving her life beyond just her face. That momentum carried into her health, and ultimately led to her weight loss and overall lifestyle changes.

From a surgical standpoint, the reason her results have lasted comes down to how the lift is performed. The Vertical Restore works through the deep plane, releasing and repositioning the deeper structures of the face rather than just tightening the skin, which allows the result to maintain its integrity even through changes like weight loss. This is why I emphasize a comprehensive approach. When the structure is properly restored, the result not only looks natural, it holds up over time.

04/14/2026

Erin is 55 and now 6 months post-op from her Vertical Restore facelift!!!

Her results keep getting better and better! Swelling will continue to subside and the fat transfer will integrate over the first year of healing.

One of the most noticeable improvements in Erin’s journey is her neck. The neck is often where aging shows first, and it’s also where you can immediately tell whether a facelift was truly comprehensive. Her result reflects the vertical lift and deep-plane technique that defines the Vertical Restore.

I’ve also received many questions about her skin. Erin has been consistent with the Trifecta since before surgery, and that consistency matters. Over time, we see improvements in tone, texture, hydration, and fine lines that support and enhance surgical results.

To address Erin’s aging-related changes, we performed:
✅Vertical Restore facelift
✅Facial Fat Transfer
✅Upper Blepharoplasty
✅Lower Blepharoplasty
✅Consistent daily use of the Trifecta

If you’re considering facial rejuvenation and want to understand the process, comment “consultation” to learn more.

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

Website

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