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.

02/27/2026

My wife Neda does almost the exact same thing every single day.

For a lot of people, that sounds extreme. For us, it’s freedom.

Consistency gives us energy. It gives us clarity. It gives us control. And over time, those small daily habits compound into real strength, better health, and a more youthful way of living.

Our routine has not always been this dialed but now after years of refinement we are at a really great place, and still always open to learning, adapting, and implementing new positive habits into our lives.

One thing that hasn’t changed in years?
We both drink this green smoothie every day. It’s simple. It’s intentional. And it works for our lifestyle. ✅Comment “smoothie” and I’ll send you the full recipe and why we’ve made this part of our daily routine.

Something else that has improved the quality of both of our lives is using the Trifecta daily. Both of our skin have improved tremendously and it is one more habit that optimizes our effeciency as well as our health.

No, you don’t have to overhaul your life overnight. But if you take one thing from this video, let it be this: pick one positive habit and commit to it. The power isn’t in intensity. It’s in consistency.

02/27/2026

Say hello to Stephanie. She’s 62 and 1 week post-op from her Vertical Restore facelift and countour TRL laser around her mouth.

This is real facelift recovery.

At seven days, there is still swelling. There is tightness. And yes — there can be discomfort. In this video, she shares exactly how she’s feeling at this stage.

Stephanie already looked youthful for her age before and as mentioned in this video this was actually her second facelift. Her first (done elsewhere about 10 years ago) carried her beautifully through her 50s, allowing her to enjoy the next decade feeling confident and at ease with the way she looked.

Ten years later, she started to notice deeper laxity and facial aging and decided it was time to restore that refreshed, natural look again with a Vertical Restore.

One week is not the final result. It’s simply part of the journey but I was so glad to have this moment to check in with her and learn about her week and send her home to finish her recovery.

Here’s what we performed:
✅ Vertical Restore
✅ Custom Facial Fat Transfer
✅ Contour TRL Peri-Oral
✅ Skin rejuvenation with Trifecta — our 3-step clinical anti-aging system for radiant, healthy skin

‼️ This procedure was performed under local anesthesia with IV sedation for a safer, more comfortable recovery.

Take a closer look at my 62-year-old Vertical Restore facelift patient’s 12 week healing progressStephanie already looke...
02/26/2026

Take a closer look at my 62-year-old Vertical Restore facelift patient’s 12 week healing progress

Stephanie already looked youthful for her age before surgery this was actually her second facelift. Her first (done elsewhere about 10 years ago) carried her beautifully through her 50s, allowing her to enjoy the next decade feeling confident and at ease with the way she looked.

The redness and dramatic healing you are seeing around her moth is due to the addition of contour TRL laser around her moyth.

She’s also been incredibly consistent with her skincare routine even while living in Hawaii and spending so much time outdoors. That commitment to skin health has played a huge role in how well she’s aged and in how beautifully she’ll continue to heal.

Ten years later, she started to notice deeper laxity and facial aging and decided it was time to restore that refreshed, natural look again with a Vertical Restore.

Here’s what we performed:
✅ Vertical Restore
✅ Custom Facial Fat Transfer
✅ Contour TRL Peri-Oral
✅ Skin rejuvenation with Trifecta — our 3-step clinical anti-aging system for radiant, healthy skin

‼️ this procedure was performed under local anesthesia with IV sedation for a safer, more comfortable recovery.

02/25/2026

Healing from facial rejuvenation is the definition of trust the process.

This is my 62-year-old Vertical Restore patient and 12 weeks of her post-op healing! I think it was worth the wait… what do you think?

The early phase of healing can feel uncertain. Swelling fluctuates. Things look different week to week. That’s normal. True facial rejuvenation doesn’t reveal itself overnight.

As time passes, swelling continues to resolve. Fat transfer integrates. The vertical lift settles into place. Definition in the jawline sharpens. The neck tightens. The midface repositions naturally.

No two patients heal the same. Anatomy, skin quality, genetics, and overall health all influence the timeline. Healing is gradual and layered and that’s exactly why patience matters.

To address her aging-related changes, we performed:
✅ Vertical Restore facelift
✅ Custom Facial Fat Transfer
✅ Contour TRL Peri-Oral
✅ Consistent use of the Trifecta

Results evolve. Structure restores. Trust the process.

Comment “consultation” to learn more.

02/25/2026

Are mini facelifts actually worth it?

They became popular as a “less invasive” alternative to a traditional facelift.

But when it comes to facial aging, the real question isn’t smaller vs bigger — it’s durability.

If you’re researching a mini facelift and wondering how long the results last, this is important to understand.

A facelift should look natural.
And it should hold.

Watch before you decide.

Patients ask me about these treatments every single day.Gua sha.Red light therapy.Microcurrent.At-home microneedling.“Wr...
02/24/2026

Patients ask me about these treatments every single day.

Gua sha.
Red light therapy.
Microcurrent.
At-home microneedling.
“Wrinkle patches.”

So instead of giving vague answers, I rated them.

Some have a role.
Most are temporary.
A few concern me.

Here’s what I want you to understand: aging is structural. It’s collagen loss, volume loss, and descent. If a treatment doesn’t meaningfully address one of those layers, it’s not going to create lasting change.

I’m not against innovation. I’m against confusion.

Focus on what actually works. Build from there.

If you want more science-backed breakdowns like this, comment “JOURNAL” and I’ll send you the link to sign up for the KaramMD journal.

02/23/2026

My wife, Neda, has made it a personal mission to age well.

Not in a dramatic way. In a disciplined, consistent, intentional way.

These aren’t extreme habits. They’re small things done daily that compound over time.

This is how she starts her morning.

And for those of you who don’t know, I performed a Vertical Restore facelift on Neda almost two years ago. She’s also been using the Trifecta twice daily for over four years, and the consistency has made a remarkable difference in her skin.

Her routine today is really the culmination of years of building habits that support how she wants to feel — strong, clear, and energized.

Check out the KaramMD Journal for more lifestyle tips and recipes!

02/20/2026

As we age, the face naturally shifts from a heart shape to a more rectangular shape.

Over time, we lose volume and tissue descends, creating heaviness in the lower face and jawline.

If you’ve looked in the mirror and felt like your facial shape has changed, you’re not imagining it.

This is exactly what the Vertical Restore and fat transfer are designed to address restoring youthful facial shape by lifting and replacing lost volume.

Can you relate? Leave a comment below.

02/20/2026

Is it better to get a facelift before or after menopause?

The truth is, it’s not necessarily about menopause. It’s about your anatomy, your skin quality, and how much structural aging has occurred.

Menopause accelerates collagen loss and volume changes, but the right timing for surgery depends on what’s actually happening in your face not your age alone.

A comprehensive facelift can be done beautifully before or after menopause. What matters most is addressing real structural changes at the right time.

If you’re wondering where you fall, leave a comment below.

02/20/2026

As we age, the face naturally shifts from a heart shape to a more rectangular shape.

Over time, we lose volume and tissue descends, creating heaviness in the lower face and jawline.

If you’ve looked in the mirror and felt like your facial shape has changed, you’re not imagining it.

This is exactly what the Vertical Restore and fat transfer are designed to address — restoring youthful facial shape by lifting and replacing lost volume.

Can you relate? Leave a comment below.

02/19/2026

My beautiful 52 year old patient Vertcial Restore facelift neck before and after. Prepare to be amazed!

Wow. The glow. The confidence. The transformation.

When I saw this update, my jaw honestly dropped. She was beautiful to begin with, but now she can fully embrace looking as young as she feels.

This is what comprehensive facial rejuvenation looks like when shape, volume, and skin are all addressed together.

To address her aging-related changes, we performed:
✅ Vertical Restore
✅ Facial Fat Transfer
✅ Upper Blepharoplasty
✅ Lower Blepharoplasty
✅ Consistent use of the Trifecta to improve tone, texture, and overall skin quality

Natural. Refreshed. Still completely her.

My beautiful 50 year old patient Barbara traveled all the way from Italy for her Vertical Restore… and today, two years ...
02/19/2026

My beautiful 50 year old patient Barbara traveled all the way from Italy for her Vertical Restore… and today, two years later, she looks as natural, refreshed, and confident as ever. (Swipe to see what procedures she had! )

When she first reached out, she shared something I hear often.
She was living a healthy, active life — eating well, staying fit, traveling, raising her young kids — but her reflection no longer matched how she felt inside. Her face was aging faster than her energy, and she stopped recognizing the woman looking back at her.

So she started researching.
She followed my work on Instagram, learned about the Vertical Restore, and resonated with the philosophy of looking like yourself, just younger — never different, never pulled, never overdone. She wanted a result that would be natural, durable, and aligned with her lifestyle.

For her, traveling across the world wasn’t about distance.
It was about peace of mind, clarity, and choosing a surgeon whose approach truly matched what she wanted for her face and her future.

She had her surgery at 48.
Now at almost 50, she feels completely aligned again — confident, vibrant, and able to show up as the best version of herself for her kids, her husband, and most importantly, for herself.

These are the stories that make this work meaningful.
And she still has years of beautiful, natural results ahead of her.

If you have questions about the Vertical Restore, traveling for surgery, or what the journey looks like, ask below.

Barbara has also been impressively committed to the Trifecta for the past 4 years, she shared that the incredible change in her skin from the Trifecta was when she knew I had to be her surgeon, if the KaramMD Trifecta is that effective, she knew she could trust me.

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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