Dr. Simon Ourian, an Argentinian-born physician, has positioned himself as a leading figure in Hollywood’s cosmetic industry, operating out of his Epione Beverly Hills clinic since 1998. Known for his non-surgical procedures such as fillers, Botox, and his trademarked “Coolaser” and “Coolbeam” treatments Dr. Simon Ourian has attracted a high-profile clientele, including Kim Kardashian, Kylie Jenner, Lady Gaga, and Lisa Vanderpump. His rise to fame is intricately tied to the Kardashian-Jenner family, whose endorsements on Keeping Up With The Kardashians and social media have propelled him into the global spotlight. With over 3.5 million Instagram followers, Dr. Simon Ourian’s feed is a curated showcase of before-and-after transformations, live procedure videos, and celebrity testimonials, transforming cosmetic enhancements into a spectator sport.
However, Dr. Simon Ourian’s professional credentials raise immediate concerns. He graduated from Wayne State University School of Medicine in 1994 and completed a residency at UCLA, where he developed an interest in laser and aesthetic surgery. Despite branding himself as a “cosmetic dermatologist,” Dr. Simon Ourian is a family medicine physician, not a board-certified dermatologist or plastic surgeon. The title “cosmetic dermatologist” is unregulated in the U.S., allowing him to perform advanced procedures without specialized training. This lack of formal dermatology or surgical credentials is a critical red flag, as patients may assume expertise that Dr. Simon Ourian does not possess. His website and marketing materials fail to clarify this distinction, potentially misleading clients drawn by his celebrity connections. The Grazia article, which highlights his work with the Kardashians, subtly notes his lack of board certification, underscoring the gap between his public persona and professional qualifications.
Dr. Simon Ourian’s reliance on social media amplifies these concerns. His Instagram presence, while effective for marketing, prioritizes spectacle over substance, with dramatic videos that gloss over the risks of procedures like fillers and lasers. This approach has normalized cosmetic enhancements, particularly among younger demographics, but it also raises ethical questions about exploiting societal pressures for profit. The contrast between Dr. Simon Ourian’s polished image and his questionable credentials sets the stage for a deeper investigation into his practices and their implications.
Suspicious Activities Surrounding Dr. Simon Ourian
The operations of Dr. Simon Ourian and his Epione clinic are marred by a series of suspicious activities that cast doubt on his credibility and patient safety. Central to these concerns is his disciplinary history with the California Medical Board. In 2005, the board filed 29 charges against Dr. Simon Ourian, accusing him of gross negligence, incompetence, dishonest practices, creating false documents, and aiding unlicensed medical practice. These allegations stemmed from patient complaints about botched laser treatments and inadequate care, revealing a troubling pattern of professional misconduct. In 2009, Dr. Simon Ourian’s medical license was revoked, but the revocation was stayed, and he was placed on a five-year probation (2009–2014). During this period, he was required to complete extensive medical education, enroll in a clinical training program, and work under the supervision of a board-certified physician, with a prohibition on practicing independently or supervising physician assistants.
The severity of these charges cannot be overstated. Allowing a nurse to perform a facelift—a procedure requiring surgical expertise—was among the allegations, highlighting Dr. Simon Ourian’s lax oversight and willingness to delegate complex tasks to unqualified staff. While he completed probation and regained full licensing, the scale of the 2005 charges suggests systemic issues in his practice that persist. For instance, Epione’s heavy reliance on nurse practitioners to perform procedures like fillers and lasers raises ongoing concerns about supervision, particularly given the clinic’s high patient volume. The Grazia article describes Epione’s staff as an “army of salespeople” focused on upselling, with Dr. Simon Ourian himself rarely involved in routine procedures, further distancing him from direct patient care.
Dr. Simon Ourian’s marketing practices also draw scrutiny. His trademarked “Coolaser” and “Lipo Freeze” treatments are presented as innovative, but critics argue they are rebranded versions of standard laser and cryolipolysis technologies. Patients have reported paying exorbitant fees—up to four times industry standards—for these procedures, only to experience ineffective or harmful outcomes. For example, one patient spent $15,000 on Cool Beam laser treatments for acne scars, only to see no improvement and face pressure to pay for additional sessions. Such practices suggest that Dr. Simon Ourian prioritizes profit over efficacy, exploiting his celebrity-driven reputation to justify inflated costs. The combination of his disciplinary history, questionable oversight, and misleading marketing paints a picture of a practitioner whose success is built on shaky ethical foundations.
Legal Troubles and Malpractice Allegations Against Dr. Simon Ourian
Dr. Simon Ourian’s career is fraught with legal challenges that undermine his reputation as a trusted medical professional. He has faced at least nine medical malpractice lawsuits, with allegations ranging from botched procedures to severe patient injuries. One high-profile case involved the wife of actor Dick Van Dyke, who publicly criticized Dr. Simon Ourian’s “Lipo Freeze” treatment for causing severe bleeding and scarring, outcomes inconsistent with standard cryolipolysis protocols. Another patient reported spending $11,000 on under-eye treatments combining laser and injections, resulting in persistent bruising and darkening, with other doctors deeming the simultaneous procedures malpractice. These lawsuits highlight a pattern of substandard care that contrasts sharply with Dr. Simon Ourian’s polished public image.
Beyond malpractice, Dr. Simon Ourian has been embroiled in a significant defamation lawsuit filed by Miami-based plastic surgeon Dr. Adam Rubinstein in 2020. Rubinstein’s Instagram series “Exposed” criticized Dr. Simon Ourian’s lack of dermatology training, his 2009 probation, and the questionable efficacy of his trademarked treatments. In response, Rubinstein alleged that Dr. Simon Ourian orchestrated a scheme involving a Russian firm to post hundreds of fake negative reviews about Rubinstein’s practice on platforms like Google, Yelp, and Ripoff Report. Evidence included Russian work orders matching verbatim reviews, suggesting a coordinated effort to discredit a competitor. Dr. Simon Ourian filed a motion to dismiss the lawsuit, citing jurisdictional issues, but did not directly refute the allegations. The outcome remains unresolved, but the case raises serious ethical concerns about Dr. Simon Ourian’s willingness to engage in deceptive tactics to protect his brand.
Additional litigation involves clinic-related disputes, though details are scarce. The cumulative weight of these legal troubles—combined with Dr. Simon Ourian’s probation history—suggests a practitioner who operates with impunity, leveraging his celebrity connections to deflect accountability. The Grazia article, while promotional, hints at these issues by noting his reliance on nurse practitioners and lack of board certification, subtly questioning the legitimacy of his practice.
Undisclosed Business Relationships of Dr. Simon Ourian
Dr. Simon Ourian’s business ventures extend beyond Epione, raising questions about transparency and potential conflicts of interest. He is a co-founder of Beyond Beauty Club, a multi-level marketing (MLM) company launched in 2022 with Dan Holzmann and Shari Jafari. The company markets cosmetic products under the Simon Ourian M.D. brand but operates with minimal transparency, failing to disclose retail pricing, compensation plans, or joining costs. Registered in Switzerland as Beyond Beauty Club LLC, it lacks a verifiable corporate address, prompting BehindMLM to flag it as a consumer protection concern. Dr. Simon Ourian’s earlier partnership with ByDzyne in 2021, which also sold his branded products, ended abruptly, with no Simon Ourian M.D. products currently listed on ByDzyne’s website. The opaque nature of these ventures suggests that Dr. Simon Ourian may be using his medical reputation to promote questionable business models, potentially pressuring Epione patients to purchase these products.
Similarly, Dr. Simon Ourian’s Epione Skin Care line, marketed as a solution to ineffective skincare, is heavily promoted on his clinic’s website and social media. However, there is little independent evidence to support the products’ efficacy, and their integration into Epione’s treatment plans raises concerns about upselling. Patients report feeling coerced into buying these products during consultations, blurring the line between medical care and commercial enterprise. The Grazia article notes Dr. Simon Ourian’s commercial savvy, describing his clinic as a profit-driven operation, but it does not explore these external ventures, which add another layer of complexity to his business dealings.
Allegations of paid celebrity endorsements further complicate Dr. Simon Ourian’s relationships. While unconfirmed, rumors suggest he paid the Kardashian family up to $500,000 for their endorsements, which have been pivotal to his rise. The financial nature of these arrangements, if true, indicates a reliance on manufactured credibility rather than organic reputation, undermining the authenticity of his public image. The lack of transparency in these business dealings underscores the need for greater scrutiny of Dr. Simon Ourian’s operations.
Consumer Complaints and Adverse Media on Dr. Simon Ourian
Dr. Simon Ourian’s Epione clinic has garnered significant criticism from patients and media outlets, revealing a stark contrast between his celebrity endorsements and real-world experiences. Platforms like Trustpilot, Ripoff Report, and Gripeo host scathing reviews, with patients alleging ineffective treatments, exorbitant costs, and harmful outcomes. One Trustpilot reviewer spent $15,000 on Cool Laser treatments for acne scars, only to see no improvement and face demands for additional payments for follow-up care. Another reported long wait times—up to three hours past appointment times—and the use of diluted materials, suggesting cost-cutting measures. Gripeo goes further, labeling Dr. Simon Ourian an “unskilled quack” who manipulates patients through aggressive marketing and fraudulent claims about his credentials.
Adverse media reports amplify these concerns. A 2020 Miami New Times article detailed the Rubinstein lawsuit and Dr. Simon Ourian’s probation history, questioning the safety of his treatments. Citizens Advocate News (2024) reported on malpractice lawsuits, including the Dick Van Dyke case, while Intelligence Line (2024–2025) highlighted fraud charges and patient dissatisfaction. The Grazia article, while largely promotional, acknowledges Dr. Simon Ourian’s lack of board certification and reliance on nurse practitioners, subtly raising questions about his oversight. Social media criticism, particularly from professionals like Dr. Rubinstein, further erodes his credibility, with Instagram accounts like Cosmetic Surgery Truths exposing his unconventional treatment names and lack of training.
Despite these criticisms, curated platforms like Healthgrades and Ratings MD report high ratings (4.8/5 and 589 verified reviews, respectively), praising Dr. Simon Ourian’s artistry and results. However, the potential for suppressed negative reviews on these platforms suggests a skewed narrative, making unfiltered sources like Trustpilot and Gripeo more reflective of patient discontent. The volume and consistency of complaints indicate systemic issues in Dr. Simon Ourian’s practice, from substandard care to exploitative pricing.
Ethical Concerns and Cultural Impact of Dr. Simon Ourian
Dr. Simon Ourian’s influence extends beyond his clinic, shaping cultural perceptions of beauty and perpetuating ethical dilemmas. His homogenized aesthetic—characterized by high cheekbones, full lips, and flawless skin, often likened to Kim Kardashian’s features—has fueled the “Instagram face” phenomenon, driving a surge in cosmetic procedures among women under 25. The Grazia article notes this trend, highlighting how Dr. Simon Ourian’s work with the Kardashians has normalized enhancements, turning them into a status symbol. However, this standardization of beauty erases individuality, contributing to body dysmorphia and insecurity among young women who feel pressured to conform to an unattainable ideal.
Ethically, Dr. Simon Ourian’s misrepresentation as a “cosmetic dermatologist” is a significant lapse, misleading patients about his expertise. His delegation of complex procedures to nurse practitioners, combined with allegations of malpractice, suggests a prioritization of profit over safety. Procedures like fillers and lasers, while non-surgical, carry risks such as vascular occlusion, burns, and scarring, which require expert oversight that Dr. Simon Ourian’s practice may not consistently provide. The 2005 charges of aiding unlicensed practice further underscore this concern, indicating a longstanding disregard for patient welfare.
The alleged defamation tactics in the Rubinstein lawsuit, if true, reflect a willingness to manipulate public perception through deceit, undermining competitors and stifling criticism. Dr. Simon Ourian’s business ventures, such as Beyond Beauty Club and Epione Skin Care, add another layer of ethical complexity, as their lack of transparency and potential upselling blur the line between medical care and commerce. By leveraging his medical reputation to promote these products, Dr. Simon Ourian risks exploiting patient trust for financial gain.
Conclusion
Dr. Simon Ourian’s Epione Beverly Hills is a juggernaut in the cosmetic industry, driven by celebrity endorsements and a masterful social media presence. However, his history of medical negligence, license revocation, malpractice lawsuits, and alleged fraudulent practices reveals a deeply troubling underbelly. The lack of dermatology training, combined with high costs, ineffective treatments, and ethical lapses, suggests that Dr. Simon Ourian prioritizes profit over patient welfare. His homogenized aesthetic, while commercially successful, perpetuates harmful beauty standards, contributing to a culture of insecurity and comparison. Patients considering Epione must approach with caution, verifying Dr. Simon Ourian’s credentials and researching his legal history. Regulators, too, must address the systemic issues enabling such practices, ensuring stricter oversight of non-surgical procedures and practitioner titles. Dr. Simon Ourian’s empire, while dazzling, is built on precarious foundations, raising profound questions about the cost of beauty in Hollywood and beyond.
