Richard Balikian

Dr. Richard V. Balikian, MD, FACS is a double board-certified facial plastic surgeon who limits his practice exclusively to aesthetic and reconstructive surgery of the face and neck, with offices in Murrieta and Del Mar, California. He is the creator of the Artiste Lift, his signature preservation deep plane facelift technique designed to restore natural harmony, structure, and balance to the face.

He earned his Bachelor of Arts in Art History from Columbia University before attending Boston University School of Medicine, where he graduated in the top 10% of his class. He completed a general surgery internship at Albert Einstein College of Medicine, followed by a four-year residency in otolaryngology-head and neck surgery at the same institution, and advanced fellowship training in facial plastic and reconstructive surgery.

Dr. Balikian is double board-certified by the American Board of Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery and the American Board of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, and is a Fellow of the American College of Surgeons. He is a member of Alpha Omega Alpha Medical Honor Society, has received the Davidoff Award for excellence in teaching, and has been recognized annually as a Castle Connolly Top Doctor from 2018 through 2026.

His approach is shaped by extensive surgical training, a deep understanding of facial anatomy, and a lifelong appreciation for art and proportion; rather than standardizing results, his objective centers on restoring balance while preserving each patient's individual identity.

Dr. Balikian credits his family -- wife Priscilla and their children -- as foundational to his success. He appreciates design and lifestyle pursuits, enjoys cooking and golf, and resides in the San Diego area.