Meet Dr. Richard Balikian
Double Board-Certified Facial Plastic Surgeon
Combining surgical precision with an artistic eye, Dr. Balikian is dedicated to helping patients look refreshed, youthful, and confident.
Artistry Meets Expertise
Dr. Richard Balikian is a highly respected facial plastic surgeon serving the San Diego area.
With over 20 years of experience and double board certification in Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery as well as Head and Neck Surgery, Dr. Balikian offers a unique combination of technical expertise and artistic vision.
He is part of an elite group of surgeons with extensive training focused exclusively on the face and neck.
An Education in Art and Medicine
Dr. Balikian earned his undergraduate degree in Art History from Columbia University, where he developed an early appreciation for the aesthetic principles that guide his surgical artistry today.
He graduated in the top 10% of his class from Boston University School of Medicine and was inducted into the prestigious Alpha Omega Alpha (AOA) Honor Medical Society.
His surgical training includes a Head and Neck Surgery residency at Albert Einstein College of Medicine and a fellowship in Facial Plastic Surgery with one of the world’s leading experts.
Certifications & Credentials
Dr. Richard Balikian’s background blends elite surgical training with artistic insight, setting the foundation for his reputation as a leader in facial aesthetics.
- Double Board-Certified – Facial Plastic & Reconstructive Surgery and Otolaryngology – Head & Neck Surgery
- Fellow – American College of Surgeons
- Fellowship – Trained in Facial Plastic & Reconstructive Surgery
- Residency – Head & Neck Surgery, Albert Einstein College of Medicine
- Medical Degree (MD) – Boston University School of Medicine
- Bachelor of Arts (BA) – Art History, Columbia University
These credentials reflect not only Dr. Balikian’s advanced surgical expertise, but also his deep commitment to excellence, compassion, and the art of facial restoration.
Industry Recognition
Since opening his practice in 2007, Dr. Balikian’s work is consistently recognized by both peers and prestigious publications for his leadership in facial aesthetics and surgical excellence.
- AOA Medical Honor Society – Recognized for academic excellence and leadership in medicine
- Davidoff Award – Given for outstanding clinical performance in medical school
- San Diego Magazine – Best Facial Plastic Surgeon (2023–2025)
- Modern Luxury – Best Facelift
- Ranch & Coast Magazine – Best Facelift (2022–2025)
- Castle Connolly Top Doctor – Honored for excellence in facial plastic surgery
- RealSelf Top Doctor – Awarded for patient satisfaction, transparency, and education
These honors reflect not only Dr. Balikian’s surgical expertise, but also his unwavering dedication to patient care, natural results, and innovation in the field of facial aesthetics. His consistent recognition underscores the trust he has earned from both the medical community and the patients he serves.
Trusted by Thousands
Dr. Balikian’s commitment to personalized care and refined results has earned him a reputation for integrity, artistry, and lasting impact. With hundreds of five-star reviews and countless patient success stories, his work speaks for itself, and so do the faces he’s helped transform.
Aesthetic Leadership
Dr. Balikian is more than a surgeon, he’s a thought leader in the field. Known for pioneering the Artiste Lift™, a comprehensive deep-plane facelift that harmonizes structure and softness, he’s invited to lecture, mentor, and demonstrate advanced techniques across the country.
- Creator of the Artiste Lift™, a signature approach to natural facial rejuvenation
- Trusted resource for surgical innovation and facial harmony
- Regular speaker at national and international plastic surgery conferences
- Has authored numerous academic publications and textbook chapters
Through his innovative techniques and commitment to education, Dr. Balikian continues to shape the future of facial plastic surgery, elevating standards and inspiring the next generation of surgeons.
Giving Back
Beyond the precision of the operating room, Dr. Richard Balikian is deeply committed to making a difference in the lives of others. Through his volunteer work with the Face to Face program, a national initiative offering pro bono reconstructive surgery to survivors of domestic violence, he helps restore not only appearances but dignity and confidence to those in need. This meaningful work reflects his belief that the practice of medicine extends far beyond aesthetics.
Dr. Balikian is also proud to support scientific advancement through his involvement with the renowned Salk Institute for Biological Studies, an organization at the forefront of biomedical research. His support of the Salk Institute aligns with his dedication to progress, healing, and the betterment of human health on a broader scale.
Life Outside the O.R.
Outside of his surgical practice, Dr. Balikian treasures time with his family above all. He lives in Southern California with his wife and children, including his daughter, whose name inspired the Aria Plastic Surgery Center. When he’s not in the operating room, he enjoys cooking, spending quality time with his loved ones, and unwinding on the golf course.
For Dr. Balikian, maintaining a healthy, balanced life is key, not only to being a better surgeon, but to being fully present for his patients, his team, and his loved ones.
Trust Your Face to a Facial Plastic Surgeon
Dr. Balikian is an experienced, double board-certified, facial plastic surgeon. He is double board-certified both in Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery as well as Head and Neck Surgery. Dr. Balikian belongs to a very select group of elite cosmetic surgeons with at least six years of specialized surgical training exclusively in aesthetic and reconstructive surgery of the face and neck.
Richard V. Balikian, MD, FACS
Double Board-Certified Facial Plastic Surgeon
Balikian Facial Plastic Surgery: Richard V. Balikian, MD, FACS