The plastic surgery industry has been scrutinized for years, with cosmetic surgeons and plastic surgery patients on the receiving end. This is partly due to the social conditioning that cosmetic surgery is unnecessary, self-obsessed, and harmful, which is all false. Cosmetic surgery has numerous benefits for our bodies, both physically and mentally. There are various reasons one may undergo a cosmetic procedure, including health concerns. But it is hard to make everyone see the bigger picture, and for Dr. Nune Stepanyan, her move to change this mentality saw her face intense judgment.

When Dr. Stepanyan started in the cosmetic industry, she was like an “outcast.” She didn’t fit society’s standards of what a plastic surgeon should look like, and even more, her approach to cosmetic surgery was different.

When breaking into the field, Dr. Stepanyan’s weight was unacceptable in the aesthetic industry. She was very friendly but that did not matter. She was also very enthusiastic about learning all things aesthetics. But this was also not what the industry wanted to see at the time.

Dr. Stepanyan was once told by an online bully, “When I look at you, I don’t see aesthetics and beauty. I’d trust you with my life, but I’d trust someone who looks more aesthetically pleasing with my face.” She explains that in her first year of injecting, every time she would post a before and after, the online bullies would go off about how “You should only go to experienced injectors with five years of experience and above and surgeons who look aesthetically pleasing.”

But Dr. Stepanyan didn’t let their words get to her. She chose to stay and fight for what she believes in, and today, her distinctive approach to cosmetic surgery and aesthetics is her biggest selling point. Dr. Stepanyan is not only helping people achieve their dream bodies, but she is also creating awareness of cosmetic surgery and empowering others.

Thus, Dr. Stepanyan started her own practice. She is the founder and CEO of The Stepanyan Clinic, located in Los Angeles. The clinic offers a wide range of medical aesthetic procedures, including dermal fillers, PRP, Forma, and IPL. She uses her online platforms to help people understand aesthetic treatments, the different procedures, and the benefits.

Dr. Stepanyan posts before and after photos on her Instagram and TikTok. She also discusses lip injections, skin tightening, and botox facials, among other topics. By doing this, Dr, Stepanyan hopes to show the world that everyone is free to do what they want to improve their quality of life, and they don’t have to let what others think stop them. “People tend to forget the importance of quality of life, and while you like someone better when they look a certain way, they might not like the current version of themselves,” says Dr. Stepanyan.

Dr. Stepanyan also uses her platforms to educate people on the importance of realistic expectations. The explosion of social platforms like TikTok and Instagram has partly contributed to the boom in plastic surgery. Dr. Stepanyan explains that the “filter society” has led to a lot of cosmetic regrets as some people want looks that are not realistic. She is showing the world what is achievable and what is not.

From being an outcast to owning her own clinic, Dr. Stepanyan’s approach to medical aesthetic procedures has enabled her to break into the industry and become one of the most sought-after aesthetic injectors in Los Angeles.