There’s a new kind of beauty energy taking over bridal prep and Dr. Alexis Parcells is leading the charge. You won’t find overdone filler or last-minute panic tweaks in her clinic.

Board-certified, deeply modern, and with a cult-following on social media, Dr. Parcells is rewriting the rules of what pre-wedding beauty should feel like. She’s the founder of Parcells Plastic Surgery (with locations across New Jersey and NYC), creator of clean, medical-grade skincare line Sunnie Skin, and a fierce advocate for women taking control of their bodies and their confidence.

We sat down with Dr. Parcells to talk about wedding prep timelines, microneedling musts, the injectable rule every bride should know, and why her approach to plastic surgery is more about power than perfection.

You grew up around medicine — but when did plastic surgery become the clear path?

I grew up in New Jersey, and my dad is a surgeon. His office was connected to our house, so I was around patients from a young age. In high school, I started volunteering in the OR, but it was meeting the founders of Operation Smile that really changed everything. I started going on mission trips at 15 to Morocco, Vietnam, Kenya — and I thought, “I want to be a plastic surgeon so I can do this kind of work.

How did your focus shift from mission work to aesthetic surgery?

Initially, I trained to do breast reconstruction for women with cancer. I connected deeply with that work. From there, my practice naturally expanded to aesthetics — breast lifts, reductions, mommy makeovers, abdominoplasty, labiaplasty. The bulk of my work is breast-related, but I also do a lot of body work.

What I really care about is offering women a place where they’re heard. Early on, I worked under a much older male surgeon and hated the dynamic; it felt paternalistic, dismissive. I knew I wanted to build something different, and that’s what my practice has become: a place where women feel seen, heard, and supported.

You lead an all-women team — a rarity in plastic surgery. Why was that important to you?

95% of plastic surgery patients are women but only 15% of surgeons are. I wanted to create a space that felt open, warm, and nonjudgmental. We don’t tell you what to fix. We ask what matters to you and help you get there.

We create a nonjudgmental, welcoming space. It’s about education and empowerment — not telling someone what to fix, but listening to what *they* want and helping them feel good about it.

You also founded a skincare brand, Sunnie Skin. What sparked that?

Patients kept asking, “What should I put on my scars?” There were options, but nothing I felt great about. So I made my own — ScarSmooth, a three-step scar care kit. From there, we expanded to clean, medical-grade products: vitamin C, retinol, hyaluronic acid, SPF. It’s not a huge line, but it’s what I use myself.

Let’s talk bridal beauty. What’s the ideal timeline for non-surgical treatments?

For major surgery — rhinoplasty, liposuction, breast lifts — you need six to nine months. For smaller procedures like eyelid lifts or earlobe repairs, three months is ideal. You want your face to be camera-ready at least six weeks before the wedding.

What about injectables — Botox, filler, that kind of thing?

You don’t want your first time to be right before the wedding. For brides and MOBs, we say try it six to nine months before, make sure you like the result. Then, do touch-ups four to six weeks out. That gives you time to tweak if needed.

For brides who want to look fresh, but not frozen — what do you recommend?

Start with microneedling and light laser resurfacing. They stimulate collagen, smooth texture, and brighten your tone without altering your expressions or changing your features. If you’re considering injectables like Botox or filler, start months in advance and keep it light. The goal is to look like you, just well-rested.

What about skincare mistakes? What should brides absolutely avoid?

Don’t try new products or makeup right before the wedding. Stick to what you know. Don’t go on vacation and skip sunscreen; I’ve seen so many sunburns two weeks before a wedding. And please, no risky adventures that could lead to injuries. Save the ATVs for the honeymoon.

Lasers can be overwhelming. Can you explain the difference in a way brides can understand?

Totally. If you’re treating dark spots or redness, you need a laser that targets *color*. If you want overall resurfacing — new collagen, smoother skin — you need a *thermal laser* like CO2 or erbium. Those are big guns, and they require downtime, but the results are powerful.

Do grooms come in too, or is it mostly brides?

Honestly? It’s 99% women. I see brides, moms, even divorced women starting fresh. I love supporting women through these life transitions — whether it’s post-baby, post-divorce, or just owning their next chapter.

What beauty trends are brides bringing in lately?

The ‘soft glam’ look is everywhere right now — think Sofia Richie’s wedding. It’s glowy, fresh, and completely effortless-looking. Brides are moving away from the heavily contoured, high-drama aesthetic that used to dominate Instagram. Now, it’s about subtle radiance: dewy skin, natural lashes, and the kind of face that says ‘I slept well and take care of myself’ rather than ‘I just left a med spa.’

Even mothers of the bride are embracing it. We’ll do small earlobe fillers so earrings sit better, or refresh the skin with light lasers.

Is there a treatment you think is about to blow up?

Fat transfer. We’re already seeing more facelifts incorporating fat grafting instead of traditional fillers, especially for women over 50. It’s not just about volume; it’s about longevity and biology. When we do fat grafting, we’re taking fat from areas like the abdomen or thighs, processing it on the table, and then reinjecting it into the face, neck, or hands. What makes it powerful is that it’s your own tissue, complete with stem cells. That means it integrates naturally, stimulates collagen, and offers permanent results in a way filler never could.

We’re also moving into the era of biodynamic injectables — products that do more than plump. Think of ingredients like NAD and exosomes, which are being studied for their ability to support cellular health, DNA repair, and even slow signs of aging from within. It’s not about chasing lines anymore; it’s about building skin that ages better, heals faster, and performs more like it did a decade ago.

Finally, what’s your own skincare ritual?

Simple. Cleanse twice a day, don’t wear makeup unless you need it, apply one power product like vitamin C or retinol and moisturise. That’s it. Less is more.

To learn more about Dr. Parcells’ practice and her skincare line, visit www.parcellsplasticsurgery.com

Interview by Raluca Tudose