Richard V. Balikian, MD, FACS, is a facial plastic surgeon serving patients throughout Temecula Valley and San Diego. With more than 20 years of experience, he specializes exclusively in aesthetic and reconstructive surgery of the face and neck.
His approach is shaped by extensive surgical training, a deep understanding of facial anatomy and a lifelong appreciation for art and proportion. He is known for listening carefully, developing highly individualized treatment plans and creating refreshed results that still look authentically like the patient.
Dr. Balikian approaches facial rejuvenation as both a technical and artistic discipline. Every procedure is guided by the patient’s individual anatomy, facial proportions and natural expressions.
Rather than creating a standardized look, his goal is to restore balance and harmony so patients appear refreshed, rested and recognizably themselves.
Dr. Balikian earned his Bachelor of Arts in Art History from Columbia University, where he developed an appreciation for aesthetics, proportion and the evolution of beauty.
He graduated in the top 10 percent of his class from Boston University School of Medicine and was inducted into the Alpha Omega Alpha Medical Honor Society.
After medical school, Dr. Balikian completed a general surgery internship and a four-year residency in otolaryngology–head and neck surgery at Albert Einstein College of Medicine in New York City. During his residency, he received the Davidoff Award for excellence in teaching.
He was then selected for advanced fellowship training in facial plastic and reconstructive surgery, further refining his expertise in aesthetic procedures of the face and neck.
Dr. Balikian established his Temecula Valley practice in 2007 and later expanded to Del Mar. Today, he continues to serve patients at both locations while advancing his signature approaches to facial rejuvenation.
Dr. Balikian’s credentials reflect decades of advanced education, specialized surgical training and a continued commitment to excellence in facial plastic surgery.
Together, this foundation of academic achievement, specialized training and professional recognition shapes the thoughtful, highly individualized care he provides each patient.
Dr. Balikian has authored medical journal articles and textbook chapters addressing plastic surgery of the face, head and neck. His academic work reflects his commitment to understanding facial anatomy and advancing surgical care.
He remains actively engaged in continuing medical education so his patients benefit from thoughtful, contemporary techniques grounded in established surgical principles.
Dr. Balikian participates in professional organizations dedicated to facial plastic surgery and surgical excellence.
He has also volunteered through the Face to Face program, which provides reconstructive care to survivors of domestic violence.
Dr. Balikian believes successful facial rejuvenation begins with listening. Every recommendation is based on the patient’s anatomy, concerns and goals.
His objective is not to change the person in front of him, but to restore balance, definition and a refreshed appearance while preserving the features that make that person unique.
Dr. Balikian believes that balance is essential to great surgical care. He credits time spent with his wife, Priscilla, and their children as the foundation of his happiness and productivity.
Together, they share a deep appreciation for design, lifestyle, and the quiet details that shape how life is experienced beyond the operating room. That perspective is reflected in Rancho Santa Fe Life & Style, Priscilla’s editorial platform, where she explores elevated living, architecture, and the art of intentional spaces.
Outside of medicine, he enjoys cooking and playing golf.
Explore a collection of real experiences from patients who partnered with Dr. Balikian for their facial rejuvenation.
Each story highlights the unique path behind their transformation including what brought them in, how the process unfolded and the meaningful changes they experienced afterward. Whether shared in their own words or explained by Dr. Balikian, these journeys offer an authentic look at the care, expertise and results that define our practice.
