Our Practice
A legacy of care, close to home.
The Aesthetic Center for Plastic Surgery was founded by Dr. Julio Soares in Santa Barbara, California, over 40 years ago. Over four decades, the practice has built a reputation for top-notch plastic surgery, compassionate care, and patient safety.
Led by Dr. Marc Soares, the practice combines advanced surgical expertise with a highly-personalized patient experience.
The practice reflects a balance of technical precision, artistry, and compassionate care in an environment designed to feel personal, discreet, and welcoming.
Having performed over 10,000 procedures from head-to-toe, we make it our mission to deliver a treatment plan that meets your individual goals in a safe, ethical, and uncompromising fashion.
Our Philosophy
Thoughtful Care. Refined Results.
We believe that treatments should enhance and reflect rather than simply alter. Our approach emphasizes thoughtful planning, surgical precision, and results that feel balanced, natural, and deeply personal to each patient.
We value discretion, transparency, and individualized care. From consultation through recovery, patients work directly with us in a private, attentive setting designed around trust and long-term relationships rather than volume. Above all, our goal is to help patients feel more comfortable and confident in themselves—never unlike themselves.
Meet Dr. Marc Soares
Marc A. Soares, MD, is a board-certified aesthetic & reconstructive plastic surgeon in Santa Barbara, California specializing in facial surgery, aesthetic breast & body procedures, and complex reconstruction.
Dr. Soares has crafted his approach to patient care from training with leading plastic surgeons in the nation. With credentials from MIT, Cornell, & New York University, Dr. Soares prides himself on delivering natural, long-lasting results that are customized to his patient’s goals.
While upholding the tradition of uncompromising care that has defined the practice for over 40 years, Dr Soares brings a modern aesthetic and cutting-edge techniques to the practice. He is uniquely committed to incorporating the latest innovations in plastic surgery into his practice, reflected by his numerous awards and peer-reviewed publications.
Dedicated to providing the best patient experience the Central Coast has to offer, Dr. Soares's surgical approach focuses on safety to achieve results that are both beautiful & timeless. Outside of patient care, Dr. Soares values time with his family, raising his daughters in the community in which he grew up.
Meet Courtney Paxson, PA-C
Courtney Paxson is a certified Physician Assistant (PA) dedicated to providing high-quality, patient-centered care.
Courtney earned her Bachelor of Science in Biology from Saint Joseph’s University in Philadelphia, where she also competed on the NCAA Division I women’s soccer team, and went on to receive her Master of Physician Assistant Studies from DeSales University in 2017.
Courtney began her career in Emergency Medicine in Santa Barbara before joining the Aesthetic Center for Plastic Surgery in 2022. She brings broad clinical experience and a holistic approach to patient care, focusing on individualized treatment plans and strong patient relationships.
Her responsibilities include consultations, pre- and post-operative care, and assisting Dr. Soares in surgery. She is also extensively trained in injectables (fillers and neurotoxins), laser treatments, nanofat grafting, chemical peels, minor surgical excisions, and skin lesion biopsies.
Courtney is a member of the American Academy of Physician Assistants (AAPA), certified by the NCCPA, and licensed in California. Outside of work, she enjoys hiking with her dogs, playing soccer, practicing yoga, traveling, and spending time with family and friends.