If you are looking for a way to reduce wrinkles and tighten your skin without surgery or thermal energy, you may want to consider Ellacor, a new treatment that uses micro-coring technology to remove tiny cores of excess skin.
In this article, we will explain what Ellacor is, how it works, what are the benefits and risks, and who is a good candidate for this procedure.
What is Ellacor?
Ellacor is the first-and-only micro-coring technology to remove the skin on the microscale, resulting in a reduction in the appearance of wrinkles.
Micro-coring, also called fractional tissue extraction or micro-excisional skin removal, uses hollow needles to precisely remove between 6,000 and 12,000 tiny “microcores” of excess skin, without surgery or thermal energy.
These tiny cores extend through the full thickness of the skin, but they’re so minuscule (less than half a millimeter in diameter) that they’re intended to not leave a scar.
As much as 8% of the skin’s volume can be removed in a single treatment session, to make it smoother and tighter once it heals.
Ellacor is FDA-cleared to treat moderate and severe wrinkles in the mid-to-lower face. According to Dr. Jason Pozner, a plastic surgeon in Boca Raton, Florida, who was involved in Ellacor clinical trials, treatment areas commonly include the cheeks, around the mouth, and under the chin.
Some doctors are also using it on areas like above the knees and on the décolletage, but these areas are considered “off-label”.
How does Ellacor work?
Ellacor is a minimally invasive procedure that typically takes less than 30 minutes and requires only local anesthesia.
The device has three hollow stainless-steel needles moving rapidly in a 10 mm x 10 mm (about 0.4 x 0.4 inches) area of the skin.
The needles create tiny punctures in the skin and extract microcores of tissue through suction.
The device can be adjusted to different depths and densities depending on the area and condition of the skin.
The removal of microcores creates microscopic spaces in the skin that stimulate the body’s natural healing response.
The skin contracts and produces new collagen and elastin fibers to fill in the gaps and restore its structure and elasticity.
The result is smoother and tighter skin with lfewerwrinkles.
What are the benefits and risks of Ellacor?
Ellacor has several advantages over other skin rejuvenation treatments:
– It improves the appearance of wrinkles and tightens mild to moderately sagging skin without surgery or thermal energy.
– It has a high satisfaction rate among patients. Clinical study results showed a 90% improvement in moderate or severe wrinkles within six months of up to three treatments, and 86% of the patients reported being “satisfied” or “extremely satisfied” with their results.
– It has a low risk of complications or side effects. Because it doesn’t involve lifting or pulling back the skin (like a surgical facelift does), the chance of having an unnatural-looking result is extremely low: your body’s healing response does the work. Ellacor can remove as much skin as some surgical procedures, according to Boston-based plastic surgeon Dr. William Austen, whose research contributed to the development of Ellacor.
– It has a short recovery time. Most people need three days of downtime, on average, for the initial healing phase. The treated areas may be red, swollen, bruised, or crusted for a few days, but these symptoms usually subside within a week.
You can resume your normal activities after that, but you should avoid sun exposure and use sunscreen for at least six weeks after treatment.
Ellacor also has some limitations and risks that you should be aware of:
– It is not suitable for everyone. You should not undergo Ellacor if you have certain medical conditions or allergies that may affect your healing or increase your risk of infection or bleeding.
You should also avoid Ellacor if you are pregnant or nursing, have open wounds or irritated skin in the treatment area, have had recent facial surgery or injections, or have scars less than six months old in the treatment area.
Your doctor will evaluate your medical history and skin type before recommending Ellacor.
– It may not achieve your desired results. Ellacor is designed to treat moderate and severe wrinkles in the mid-and lower face, but it may not be effective for fine lines, deep folds, or severe sagging.
You may need more than one treatment session to achieve optimal results, depending on the condition of your skin and your expectations.
Ellacor is not a substitute for a surgical facelift and cannot address the underlying muscles or fascia that may contribute to aging.
– It may cause some side effects or complications.
Although rare, some possible side effects of Ellacor include redness, swelling, bruising, burning, dryness, roughness, tightness/pulling of skin, crusting, pain/discomfort, tenderness, tingling, bleeding, numbness, skin peeling, or circular marks on the skin.
Other side effects not commonly observed with this procedure may include itching, hyper/hypopigmentation, hematoma, infection, scarring, skin irregularities, skin necrosis, uneven appearance of the treated regions (left and right sides of the face), or anesthesia toxicity (anesthesia-related complications may include allergic reaction and possibly death).
You should contact your doctor immediately if you experience any signs of infection or severe reaction after treatment.
Who is a good candidate for Ellacor?
Ellacor is suitable for adults aged 22 years or older with Fitzpatrick skin types I-IV who want to improve the appearance of moderate and severe wrinkles in the mid and lower face without surgery or thermal energy.
You should have realistic expectations about what Ellacor can and cannot do for your skin and be willing to follow your doctor’s instructions before and after treatment.
You should also be in good general health and free of any contraindications for Ellacor.
If you are interested in Ellacor, you should consult with a board-certified dermatologist or plastic surgeon who is experienced with this procedure.
They will assess your skin condition and goals and determine if Ellacor is right for you. They will also explain the procedure in detail, including the risks and benefits, the cost and payment options, and the expected results and recovery time.
Ellacor is a new and innovative treatment that uses micro-coring technology to remove excess skin and reduce wrinkles.
It is a minimally invasive procedure that can improve your skin’s appearance and texture without surgery or thermal energy.
If you are looking for a way to rejuvenate your skin with minimal downtime and a low risk of complications, Ellacor may be an option for you.
