Dr. Julie K. Karen, MD

Julie K. Karen, MD, specializes in dermatology at CompleteSkinMD in New York, NY. Dr. Karen has special expertise in Mohs micrographic surgery, laser treatments, and cosmetic dermatology, including facial rejuvenation, fillers, and injectables.

She also diagnoses and treats the full spectrum of routine dermatologic issues, including acne; skin cancer; sun damage; rosacea; spider veins and varicose veins; unwanted scars, birthmarks, tattoos, and hair; wrinkles and skin laxity; sun spots and brown spots; and melasma.

Dr. Karen is co-director of CompleteSkinMD, the private practice that she founded in 2014 with her sister Dr. Elizabeth K. Hale, also a Castle Connolly Top Doctor. Prior to that, she was with Laser & Skin Surgery Center of New York for six years.

Dr. Karen says she and her sister have the same philosophy of patient care: It’s about keeping patients’ skin healthy and helping it look its natural best over time.

“We came up with the idea for CompleteSkinMD when we were running a half-marathon together, and the name really captures what it’s about: exceptional, compassionate, and comprehensive skin care,” Dr. Karen says.

“It’s become kind of a trend to give up the medical care and focus more on the aesthetic treatments, but we definitely stress the medical, too — continuing with things like skin-cancer checks, managing dermatologic issues, and helping patients age naturally and gracefully.”

Dr. Karen earned her medical degree (Alpha Omega Alpha) at Weill Cornell Medical College of Cornell University in New York City. She completed a three-year dermatology residency at NYU Langone Health, serving as chief resident in her final year. She completed a fellowship in procedural dermatology at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center/NYU School of Medicine.

Certified by the American Board of Dermatology, Dr. Karen is licensed to practice in New York.

Dr. Karen has received many professional recognitions, is highly respected in her field, and is featured frequently in the national media. She has shared her knowledge and experience with publications and outlets that include Forbes, Vogue, Martha Stewart, Oprah.com, Parents, Cosmopolitan, Sun & Skin News (Skin Cancer Foundation), Real Simple, TODAY, T Magazine (The New York Times), and InStyle.

Outside of her practice, Dr. Karen has many other professional activities and roles. These include serving as a clinical assistant professor of dermatology at NYU Langone Health, an attending dermatologist at the Manhattan VA Hospital, a member of the American Academy of Dermatology Core Curriculum Task Force, and a member of the Women’s Dermatologic Society editorial committee.

In addition to the many academic articles and book chapters she has had published, Dr. Karen — along with Dr. Hale and Dr. Perry Robins — wrote the Handbook of Dermatologic Surgery. The 2014 book is used by dermatology trainees, practicing dermatologists and dermatologic surgeons, and medical students rotating through dermatology.