Ellacor

We are excited to be one of the first in Texas to offer Ellacor.  Ellacor is a revolutionary, non-surgical skin tightening treatment option that utilizes fractional tissue extraction to rejuvenate the skin. Ellacor is FDA-cleared to tighten loose or sagging skin in the mid and lower face.

Ellacor is currently available at our Westlake location.

Benefits of Ellacor

Ellacor is a highly effective method to correct moderate lines, wrinkles, and sagging skin without the pain, downtime, and scarring risks inherent to some surgical or CO2 treatments. Micro-coring treatments do not require incisions or general anesthesia, making it an ideal option for patients who are not wanting to undergo surgery.

Results of an Ellacor treatment can include:

• Diminished appearance of lines and wrinkles
• Ability to correct marionette lines
• Ability to correct minor to moderate jowls
• The reduction of excess or sagging skin

Before and After Ellacor

View Ellacor Photo Gallery

How Does Ellacor Work?

The Ellacor system uses a series of hollow needles to excise tiny segments of targeted loose or excess skin through a method known as micro-coring. Each needle is less than 0.5 mm in size, allowing for skin removal without the risk of scarring. While tiny, these cores extend through both the dermal and epidermal layers of the skin. During a single Ellacor treatment session, between 6,000 to 12,000 microcores of skin will be removed, equating to nearly 8% of the skin’s volume along the treatment area.  The treatment does not utilize laser, radiofrequency, or ultrasound energy.

The removal of these micro skin cores, called fractional tissue extraction, stimulates a natural healing response of the skin. The combination of lax skin removal and the body’s natural healing response to this controlled trauma results in smoother and tighter skin.

The process of micro-coring is different than microneedling treatments. Microneedling alone does not involve the extraction of skin during treatment. Ellacor needles are hollow and connected to a suctioning device, allowing the device to remove numerous cores of tissue on a micro-scale.

How Is The Treatment Performed?

The procedure begins with numbing of the treatment area to reduce pain or discomfort during the procedure. Next, the Ellacor handpiece is moved across the treatment area creating micro-cores along the skin in a grid pattern. Simultaneously, a vacuum system in the device provides suction that removes the core through the hollow needle. The process of coring and removal is very quick; a 10mm square of skin can be treated in less than three seconds.

Similar to fractional skin resurfacing, Ellacor leaves areas of intact skin between extracted cores which triggers the skin to heal rapidly. In fact, the micro-cores begin to close before the patient leaves the office so no bandages are required.

Ellacor treatments are highly customizable, providers can determine the depth and intensity of each treatment in order to tailor the session to the unique needs of each patient.

What Areas Can Be Treated?

Ellacor is currently FDA cleared to treat the mid and lower face including the cheeks, area around the mouth, and under the chin. Use in other areas, including the chest, may be possible but considered off-label. Results may vary from person to person.

How Long Does Treatment Take

While treatment duration can vary depending on treatment area, most Ellacor treatments are completed in 30 minutes or less.

Is Ellacor Painful?

Since numbing is applied, most patients will not experience pain during treatment. However, some patients may experience some degree of tenderness or discomfort along the treatment area. Most patients in a clinical trial of Ellacor reported post procedure pain as a “2” on a 0-10 pain scale.

Are Multiple Treatments Required?

While patients typically realize a noticeable improvement in their skin after a single treatment session, multiple treatments may be needed to fully achieve desired results. Most patients will require a series of 2-3 treatment sessions, each spaced approximately 30 days apart. Since Ellacor results rely on the skin’s natural healing process, many patients will notice continued improvement in their skin until six months following their final treatment session.

Are Ellacor Results Permanent?

While Ellacor results are long lasting, they are not permanent as the procedure will not stop the natural aging process of skin. Patients can extend the duration of their Ellacor results by following a sound skin care regimen and practicing safe sun care that includes using a high SPF sunscreen daily. Patients can also undergo periodic maintenance Ellacor treatment sessions to revive results.

Who is a Good Candidate for Ellacor?

Ellacor is ideal for any patient over the age of 22 who is in good general health and wants to address facial aging symptoms including wrinkles and laxity. Ellacor is approved for individuals with Fitzpatrick skin types of I-IV; those with darker skin tones may be more at risk for unwanted pigmentation issues. Additionally, people who are currently pregnant or nursing, have a history of scarring or hyperpigmentation, or have a medical condition that inhibits proper wound healing are not good candidates of the procedure. Individuals who have had dermal fillers in the treatment area within the past 6 months may also be disqualified from candidacy.

Results will depend upon the unique condition of each patient’s skin. Patients with good skin elasticity and lower amounts of excess skin can greatly benefit from Ellacor. Patients who have low skin elasticity and/or large amounts of excess skin may benefit instead from a surgical procedure like facelift or neck lift, as Ellacor is not designed to tighten underlying muscles or provide significant skin tightening.

Does Ellacor Require Downtime?

Ellacor treatments require minimal downtime and post-procedure care is simple. While patients can return to most normal daily activity following treatment, they may experience bruising, redness, and swelling in the treatment area for 3-7 days following the procedure. Patients may also need to keep the treatment area covered with ointment for 1-2 days post-procedure. Makeup and skin care products will also need to be avoided for approximately a week to allow skin to completely heal.

Since the healing process is critical to achieving a good result, all post-procedure instructions should be followed carefully.

Ellacor Virtual Information Session

Are There Any Side Effects?

Common side effects may include pain or discomfort as well as bruising, swelling, redness, dryness, numbness, tightness, tenderness, or skin peeling along the treatment area. Patients with darker skin tones may be at risk for post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation or hypopigmentation, which may or may not resolve on its own over time.

The micro-cores removed by Ellacor are extremely small, falling under the normal scarring threshold for most individuals. However, patients with darker skin tones or a history of keloid scarring following skin trauma may be at risk for developing scars from treatment.

While extremely rare, other side effects can include itching, infection, tissue necrosis, and skin irregularities.