Ellacor Micro-Coring
Wrinkle Reduction
Ellacor is a micro-coring device that tightens skin and reduces wrinkles by removing tiny cores of skin without surgery and without causing scars. Two treatments are recommended. Micro-coring removes between 5% and 10% of skin in the treated area with each treatment. Wrinkle-reduction occurs due to: 1) the removal of skin; and, 2) the healing process which creates collagen and elastin.
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For comparison, radio-frequency micro-needling and micro-focused ultrasound, do not remove skin and are better used for fine lines and mild sagging. Where Ellacor is FDA cleared for moderate-to-severe skin sagging and wrinkling.
While a surgical facelift provides the most dramatic reduction of wrinkles and excess skin, surgery is associated with greater risk, scarring, downtime, recovery and cost.
New innovative micro-coring technology has the benefit of treating moderate-to-severe skin laxity and wrinkles with minimal downtime and no scarring. Ellacor uses hollow coring needles that remove cores of skin the size of the needle diameter. Ellacor Micro-coring should not be confused with micro-needling which only punctures the skin. Ellacor actually removes skin. Ellacor is very customizable allowing us to adjust the settings based on each patient’s needs and skin condition. With a series of 2 - 3 treatments, we can remove up to 18% of extra skin. This compares with a surgical face lift which averages a little less than 20% skin removal.
WHO IS A CANDIDATE?
Most people with moderate-severe skin laxity and wrinkles are good candidates. The most common and popular areas treated are the mid/lower face to address a soft jaw line, nasolabial folds, and marionette lines. Ellacor can also be used to treat other areas of the body (abdomen, knees, arms, etc.) which can be discussed at your consultation.
Not everyone is a good candidate for Ellacor micro-coring. People with bleeding issues, skin-healing issues, high-dose medication (chemo, steroids, etc.) and those with skin disorders in the treatment area may not be candidates for Ellacor. To determine if you are a candidate for micro-coring, our staff will review details of the procedure as well as your medical history at your consultation.
Ellacor Micro-Coring is recommended for patients with the following skin concerns:
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Moderate-to-severe wrinkles of the mid-and lower-face
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Sagging skin around the jaw line and mouth
WHAT TO EXPECT
During your consultation, your medications and health history will be discussed in detail to ensure that you are a good candidate for the procedure.
You will also be provided with a Pre-Procedure checklist and information sheet as well as a Post-Care Instructions handout.
The actual procedure lasts for about 30 minutes, but plan on being here for an hour. We will cleanse and numb your skin to ensure your comfort. You will find that the numbing keeps you from feeling the micro-coring. Unlike laser treatments, there is no heat, so the procedure is relatively painless. Dress for comfort, choosing clothes that are not your best. During the procedure your skin will bleed from the micro-cores, but most of the bleeding will stop by the time you go home. You will leave the office with red "pin-dots" all over the treated area. These pin-dots will form tiny scabs over the next 24 hours.
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Ellacor patients usually experience 3-5 days of social down-time. Over those recovery days you can expect:
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the red pin-dots to heal, leaving pinkness
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resolving bruises (mostly under the chin)
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rough, dry, itchy skin that may flake as it heals
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swelling and very mild tenderness
RECOVERY AFTER YOUR ELLACOR
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You will receive a Post-Care Instruction handout at your consultation and / or at your Ellacor procedure. Our post-care instructions detail how to care for your face over the next 1-2 weeks. Some of the frequently asked recovery questions are answered below:
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Do not apply anything to your face, except Vaseline, or products recommended by your provider, until the micro-core holes have closed (usually 2 days).
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Refrain from the following activities until the holes have fully closed:
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Shaving
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Make-up, sunscreen, and skin care products
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Tanning or sunless tanning creams
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Scrubbing, scratching and/or picking at the treated area
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Do not submerge in a pool, whirlpool, lake, ocean or river
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Avoid any contact sports which could cause injury to the treated area
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Avoid activities that result in overheating and sweating, such as long exposure to hot baths, spas or excessive exercise for at least one week
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Once the micro-cores close, use a broad-spectrum sunscreen with SPF >30 and avoid direct and prolonged sun exposure until your skin has fully healed (at least 1 week, 2 weeks is preferred).
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Most patients see results in as little as 4-6 weeks.
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MAINTAINING YOUR ELLACOR RESULTS
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A Dermaplane and HydraFacial are recommended approximately 2 weeks after your procedure to remove any micro-cores that have not fully released along with any flaking and loose skin cells. The HydraFacial will also deeply hydrate your skin.
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Good skin care also helps maintain your beautiful results. We always recommend a mineral sunscreen with zinc oxide and titanium dioxide such as EltaMD, SkinBetter Tone Smart, or Isdin which has an added DNA repair component.
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SkinBetter's AlphaRet Overnight Cream and Alto Defense Serum are a great addition to your skincare regimen to help maintain your results.
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SkinPen micro-needling, done approximately 6 months after your Ellacor procedure, is often recommended to boost skin cell turn-over and continue collagen and elastin formation.
Linda's Ellacor Journey
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Curious to find out what the Ellacor experience is like? YH Derm's very own Linda underwent this revolutionary treatment and is here to tell you all about it!
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See Linda's complete account of her journey on our YouTube channel:
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Lisa's Ellacor Journey
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Yag-Howard Cosmetic Dermatology's very own Esthetician Lisa is here to tell you all about her Ellacor experience!
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See Lisa's complete account of her journey on our YouTube channel:
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ELLACOR & SOFWAVE – A PERFECT PAIR
Ellacor works to remove skin and add firmness at skin depths up to 4mm. These relatively deep micro-cores are the reason it is FDA cleared for moderate-to-severe lines.
Sofwave uses parallel beams of ultrasound to heat the skin at a precise depth of 1.5mm. By targeting superficial tissues, Sofwave lifts and smooths your skin surface.
Working at different tissue levels, using different modalities, Sofwave and Ellacor work together to give your skin firmness, smoothness, and elasticity. Sofwave has the added benefit of essentially no downtime!
CONTACT US
At Yag-Howard Cosmetic Dermatology our Cosmetic Consultations are at no charge. We would love to see you and talk through treatment options that can offer you real benefit and real change. Whether you just want to look and feel your best, or are looking to restore a more youthful appearance, treatments like ellacor are an excellent choice.
Call us at 239-529-DERM(3376) for a Consultation or schedule online.
What Our Patients Say
Naomi C.
"Dr. Cyndi is so amazing. She provides the quality of care that you could expect to receive from someone who is a family member. You receive true TLC at this practice!"