With age often comes a wealth of wisdom, cherished memories, and a deeper understanding of the world around us. However, it also brings with it some less celebrated companions, like the inevitable sagging skin. It’s a reminder of the passage of time that many of us would rather not see in the mirror each morning. Fortunately, there’s a beacon of hope in this landscape of aging: Ellacor.

Ellacor is a non-surgical treatment that promises to rejuvenate the skin, reducing the appearance of sagging skin and letting our exterior match the youthful spirit we feel inside.

What Is Ellacor?

Ellacor is the most aggressive nonsurgical face-tightening technology presently available, and Thaxton Plastic Surgery is the only practice in West Virginia that offers Ellacor or any type of micro-coring.

This FDA-approved technology removes excess skin without surgery and more than 90% of patients reported an improvement in the appearance of moderate to severe wrinkles.

The Ellacor device contains several hollow needles and as we pass over the skin, these needles penetrate and remove micro-cores of your skin in the dermal and epidermal layers. This is why Ellacor also is known as micro-coring or fractional tissue extraction.

Once the tiny cores or holes are made and we remove the skin, this stimulates the skin to begin healing itself. During the healing process, the skin begins closing up the cores, which tightens up the treated area, leaving it smoother with a more youthful appearance.

Unlike a surgical facelift, Ellacor procedures are minimally invasive and can be completed quickly and with little downtime. Of course, we’ve all seen people who have “gone under the knife,” and ended up with an odd, unnatural look. With Ellacor, you won’t have to worry about this issue because we aren’t pulling or lifting the skin, we are simply activating the body’s own healing response.

We use Ellacor to address sagging and wrinkles in the mid to lower face, and micro-coring technology can target areas that we cannot address with a surgical facelift. This includes areas such as the upper lip as well as certain areas around the mouth and chin.

(As a side note, a great plastic surgeon can provide you with a surgical facelift that still delivers a natural look. Dr. Thaxton is a member of the American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery, and his goal is always to provide you with a youthful, yet natural appearance. This is truly both an art and a science, so if you do prefer a surgical approach, rest assured that Dr. Thaxton has the experience and skill to provide you with a great new look that you love.)

Does Ellacor Hurt?

We use local anesthesia to reduce pain, but there may be some discomfort. Everyone’s pain threshold is unique, but generally, most patients only find the procedure to be mildly uncomfortable.

Patients should expect some swelling, redness and bruising after the procedure is complete. With surgical treatments, such as a facelift, you would experience significant downtime to heal from the surgery. With Ellacor, the downtime is minimal when it comes to resuming regular activities.

However, there can be a week or more of “social downtime,” while the redness, swelling and marks on your skin are still visible. Keep in mind that the Ellacor procedure is designed to prevent scarring, so that will not be an issue, but it does take some time for the body to heal so it’s important to have realistic expectations about the procedure.

How Many Ellacor Treatments Are Needed?

You will need to undergo more than one Ellacor procedure. Typically, we recommend two to three sessions for optimal results. Each session takes about 30 to 45 minutes to complete. Patient appointments will be spaced about 30 days apart to allow the skin time to heal from the previous treatment.

How Long Does It Take To See Results?

In many cases, you will notice an improvement in your skin in just a few weeks, but full results take about three to six months. This depends on the severity of your skin sagging and wrinkles as well as the number of treatments and how fast your body heals in general.

How Long Do Ellacor Results Last?

With proper care, Ellacor results can last for several years. However, results will last longer if you take excellent care of your skin. This includes using a quality cleanser and moisturizer as well as using products with sun protection. Staying hydrated also helps maintain the results of Ellacor as well as many other skin treatments.

Who Is A Good Candidate?

At present, Ellacor is FDA-approved for use on only certain skin types, ranging from fair skin tones to light brown tones. While Ellacor presently is not approved for darker skin types, it may be available in the future and we do have other non-invasive options for patients with darker skin types.

Ellacor micro coring also should not be considered if you are pregnant or nursing. If you have current skin issues such as wounds or open sores, we will want to delay treatment. We also would not recommend this treatment to anyone allergic to stainless steel. In some cases, this procedure might not be a good option for those with a condition that inhibits the body’s natural ability to heal itself.

Please let us know about all of your medical conditions during your consultation, as well as providing a list of all medications and supplements you take and any allergies you may have.

Other Options

Ellacor stimulates the production of collagen, and while it has been shown to be highly effective, we do have other options for patients to consider. Here’s a quick look at what we offer.

Morpheus8

Morpheus8 is a non-surgical aesthetic treatment that combines microneedling with radiofrequency (RF) energy. It’s designed to stimulate collagen production in the skin, leading to improved skin texture, reduced wrinkles, and overall skin rejuvenation. By targeting the deeper layers of the skin, Morpheus8 can provide contouring and tightening effects, making it popular for addressing signs of aging and skin laxity.

Fraxel

Fraxel (also known as fractional laser) is a non-invasive laser treatment used to address various skin concerns. It works by creating tiny micro-injuries in the skin, stimulating the body’s natural healing process and promoting collagen production. Fraxel commonly is used to treat wrinkles, sun damage, acne scars, and age spots, resulting in improved skin texture and tone.

Juvéderm Volux

This is an FDA-approved dermal filler, sometimes simply called jawline filler. Juvederm is a hyaluronic acid-based filler, and we can use it to enhance and reshape the chin and jawline, contouring your face for a more youthful look. We often combine this with Juvéderm Voluma XC (to enhance the cheeks) and with Botox or Morpheus8, for a non-invasive “liquid facelift.”

Of course, we also offer many other types of treatments to help improve the look of your facial skin. This includes microdermabrasion, facials, chemical peels and much more. To discover if Ellacor or another treatment is the best fit for your needs, give us a call at any time to set up a consultation. We will do our best to help you find options that allow you to look and feel your best.