MICRO-CORING FOR SELECTED SKIN-LAXITY CONCERNS
Ellacor micro-coring at BodyLuxe in Chicago removes tiny columns of skin without creating one continuous surgical incision. It may be considered for selected areas of skin laxity when a patient wants improvement without an excisional operation. The best use depends on the location, degree of laxity, skin characteristics, scarring history, and the amount of change you want.
Treatment at a glance
- Goal: improve selected skin laxity through micro-coring.
- Planning: treatment area, number of sessions, healing, and price are individualized.
- Difference: Ellacor removes microscopic columns of skin rather than removing fat or using an energy device beneath the skin.
How Ellacor micro-coring works
Ellacor creates very small, full-thickness cores in the skin in a controlled pattern. The surrounding skin then heals around those treated points.
In plain language, Ellacor removes microscopic columns of skin rather than removing fat, delivering energy beneath the skin, or cutting away one larger continuous section.
The degree of improvement depends on the area, treatment pattern, skin characteristics, and healing. Dr. Farrugia uses the examination to explain what is realistic for your concern.
Where Ellacor may fit
The manufacturer’s information centers on moderate and severe wrinkles of the mid and lower face in adults age 22 or older with Fitzpatrick skin types I–IV, and also lists fractional skin resurfacing. Dr. Farrugia combines that information with an in-person examination to decide whether Ellacor fits your skin and goals.
Bring the exact area that concerns you to the consultation so Dr. Farrugia can compare micro-coring with the alternatives for that location.
If you have recently had chin or neck treatment, we first allow healing to progress. Dr. Farrugia may reassess any remaining skin concerns at three months or later and discuss Ellacor as a separate option if it fits your plan.
What Ellacor may improve
Refining selected skin concerns
Ellacor may improve selected wrinkles or skin laxity when the treatment area and skin characteristics fit the device information and clinical examination.
When fat is the main concern
Liposuction treats localized fat, while Ellacor addresses selected skin concerns through micro-coring. The examination identifies which tissue is creating the contour you want to change.
When surgery may fit better
When a larger amount of loose skin requires excision, a facelift, neck lift, mini tummy tuck, or another surgical option may create a more appropriate degree of correction.
How Ellacor differs from Renuvion and surgery
Ellacor
Ellacor mechanically removes tiny skin cores in a controlled pattern, with treatment tailored to the area and your skin.
Renuvion
Renuvion uses energy beneath the skin to encourage tissue contraction and follows a different treatment and recovery plan.
Excisional surgery
Excisional surgery removes a continuous segment of skin and can provide a larger correction, with a surgical scar and different recovery.
Ellacor mechanically removes tiny skin cores. Renuvion uses energy beneath the skin to encourage tissue contraction. Excisional surgery removes a continuous segment of skin and creates a surgical scar. These approaches are not interchangeable; your anatomy and desired degree of correction determine which tradeoff makes sense.
When Ellacor may fit the concern
Ellacor may fit when
- you are concerned about wrinkles or skin quality in the mid or lower face;
- you want to understand how micro-coring differs from fat removal or an energy-based procedure;
- you are ready to discuss your skin type, prior procedures, medications, healing history, and treatment goals; and
- you want a personalized explanation of the change that may be realistic for you.
A different approach may make more sense when
- an open wound, active irritation, infection, or certain skin conditions affect the treatment area;
- pregnancy, nursing, an allergy, bleeding risk, medication, immune condition, or another medical factor changes what is appropriate for you;
- recent surgery, injections, implants, or another treatment affects the area-specific plan; or
- your goal calls for fat removal, removal of a larger amount of loose skin, or a degree of change Ellacor cannot reliably provide.
How your Ellacor plan is created
Ellacor may be worth discussing when skin laxity is the main issue, the planned area is suitable for micro-coring, and you accept that improvement develops over time and varies. Dr. Farrugia considers skin tone and thickness, healing history, scarring tendency, medications, prior procedures, the size of the area, and whether Renuvion or excisional surgery would better match the desired change.
- the Ellacor system and exact treatment area being considered;
- how that area fits the current manufacturer information;
- whether another procedure would suit your goal better or should occur at a different time;
- your preparation, anesthesia, aftercare, and follow-up plan;
- current availability and a written procedure-specific quote; and
- the expected benefits, realistic limitations, possible side effects, and symptoms that should prompt a call.
For a neck concern after liposuction, we allow time for healing and usually reassess at three months or later before considering Ellacor as a separate option.
What recovery may involve
Redness, swelling, bruising, tenderness, pinpoint crusting, temporary texture change, and downtime vary with the treatment area and intensity. The skin changes as the micro-cores heal and remodeling progresses. BodyLuxe provides individualized cleansing, skin-care, sun-protection, activity, and follow-up instructions.
Expected effects can include redness, swelling, bruising, tenderness, dryness, tightness, pinpoint crusting, temporary texture change, and small circular marks while the skin heals.
You receive written instructions for cleansing, skin care, sun protection, activity, medication, and follow-up, along with clear guidance about when to call.
Risks and limitations
Important risks include pain, bleeding, infection, delayed healing, pigment change, persistent redness, textural irregularity, scarring, asymmetry, an unsatisfactory degree of improvement, and the need for additional treatment. Ellacor is not scarless and may not provide enough correction for substantial excess skin.
Your treatment area, skin, medical history, medications, prior procedures, and aftercare all affect risk. Dr. Farrugia reviews those factors and the alternatives before you decide.
You can review the manufacturer’s current indication and important safety information before your visit. Bring any questions about alternatives, expected effects, warning signs, and your exact treatment plan so we can discuss them together.
Availability and personalized pricing
Contact the BodyLuxe team for current Ellacor scheduling. Your consultation confirms whether the procedure is available and appropriate for your treatment area.
If Ellacor fits your plan, you receive a written quote identifying the area, session plan, what is included, and any financing option you choose.
You can review our Pricing and Financing pages for general information. Your consultation will include a written quote for your specific plan.
Ellacor FAQs
What does Ellacor remove?
No. Ellacor removes tiny columns of skin. If fat is contributing to the contour, a different or combined plan may be needed.
Can Ellacor cause scarring?
No procedure can be described as scarless. Micro-coring avoids one continuous excisional incision, but healing and visible skin changes vary.
How is Ellacor different from Renuvion?
No. Ellacor is micro-coring; Renuvion is an energy-based procedure used beneath the skin. They have different mechanisms, treatment plans, and risks.
How does Ellacor compare with a facelift, neck lift, or mini tummy tuck?
Excisional surgery removes a continuous section of skin and can create a larger correction. The amount and location of laxity determine which approach is appropriately sized.
Can Ellacor be considered for the neck or body?
Current FDA-cleared indications center on moderate-to-severe mid- and lower-face wrinkles in adults with Fitzpatrick skin types I through IV. Any other area requires its own examination and treatment discussion.
When might Ellacor be discussed after chin treatment?
After chin treatment, Dr. Farrugia may reassess remaining skin concerns at three months or later and discuss whether Ellacor or another option fits.
What should I expect from recovery?
Recovery varies with the area and treatment plan. Before you decide, the team explains what to expect and gives you written aftercare instructions.
How are Ellacor scheduling and pricing confirmed?
Contact the team for current scheduling. If Ellacor is appropriate for you, you receive a written procedure-specific quote before proceeding.
Compare the skin-tightening options for your specific area
Dr. Farrugia will examine the skin you want to improve and explain whether micro-coring, an energy-based procedure, excisional surgery, or no procedure best matches the degree of change you want.