As we age, it feels like each new day brings a fresh concern, whether it’s back pain or unwelcome cosmetic concerns. Even beyond those over 50, a common complaint is the drooping of the skin on the jaw, upper neck, arms and knees. It’s an especially stubborn cosmetic concern, and its solution is not always as simple as an injectable.
“Many people today are fatigued with using filler injections. Instead, they are looking for ways to stimulate their own skin to rejuvenate itself,” says board-certified Dallas dermatologist Lisa Pruett, MD. She says ellacor “is an excellent way to have a treatment that removes excess skin and gets your body working for itself to create a more youthful appearance.” Ellacor, now cleared for body resurfacing, has been an incredible option for her GLP-1 patients. She adds ellacor “fills a critical gap in treating the loose, sagging skin that often follows weight loss—it’s an exciting advancement for both patients and physicians.”
Sonia Lovett, a 72-year-old content creator who has had treatments with Dr. Pruett, agrees. “We can fill it and tighten it with whatever procedure, but all of that was nowhere near as effective as ellacor removing skin,” says Sonia. She feels that her before-and-after photos are proof enough that ellacor is the best way to stop the drop. “You can do 100 other things, but when it comes to really addressing the problem on multiple levels. I think ellacor is the way to go.”
What Is Ellacor?
Ellacor is a skin-tightening and rejuvenation treatment that uses microcoring, which removes microcores of skin without leaving a scar, says Dr. Pruett. “The healing response doesn’t just close the holes, but it also stimulates your skin to create more collagen and elastin, making it tighter and more youthful,” she explains. “The induction of new collagen and elastin has been shown to continue even 90 days after the procedure.”
Sonia’s Experience With Ellacor
“I kept looking in the mirror and seeing this issue, and it would bug the heck out of me,” Sonia says, gesturing toward her neck. “I didn’t know how to fix it. I knew one thing: I wasn’t going to go under the knife again in my 70s, but there was no way to solve this problem,” which she referred to as a “chicken neck situation,” until ellacor.
“Emotionally, it made a big difference in how I feel about myself. I’ve said before, it’s not about vanity, because when you look in the mirror and you feel youthful and you think that you are looking like your best self, that’s the energy that projects out,” says Sonia. “My energy level gets raised when I look better.” She adds, “When I didn’t have to be self-conscious about this area of my face, my confidence obviously skyrocketed and I felt a lot better.” Next, she’s planning to try the treatment on her arms.
What Does the Treatment Feel Like?
If you’re nervous about getting the in-office treatment, you’re not alone. “Of course, so was I,” says Sonia. However, she assures that it doesn’t feel like anything more than a bit of pressure. She notes that, in her experience, injectables have hurt more than Ellacor, with the most uncomfortable part being the numbing process. “Literally, no pain, just a little bit of pressure,” she says.
What Is Recovery Like?
“Recovery was fantastic,” says Sonia, which is not something you often hear. She reports that within 18 hours, the redness subsided a lot. On the second day, she went out without any makeup covering her skin, noting it looked like nothing more than a bit of sunburn. “By the third day, I was out and about and shooting content. That’s how easy it was,” says Sonia.
Who Is a Good Candidate for Ellacor?
“The best candidates for ellacor are those who are looking for skin tightening and rejuvenation. If you are starting to notice skin laxity in your lower face and jowls, or you have wrinkles in your lower face, you are a good candidate for ellacor,” says Dr. Pruett. “I have treated many women in their 70s who have had wonderful results. I also think it is an excellent option for those in their 40s (and maybe late 30s) who want a more robust treatment than the other skin tightening options that are available.” She notes that the treatment could also be beneficial for those with acne scars on the face or stretch marks on the abdomen.
Sonia feels that ellacor could even help delay a facelift. She recommends the treatment to anyone looking to sculpt the lower parts of the face. “I’d say 50s and on. Just look in the mirror and you know,” she says.
Ellacor vs. Ellacor 2.0
Ellacor now offers a 2.0 device that promises a faster, more precise and more comfortable procedure. “I have used both versions of the device, and ellacor 2.0 has perfected the needle shape and delivers better suction, so that maximum coring of skin occurs,” says Dr. Pruett. “I was getting great results with the first version, but the upgrades have allowed me to achieve even better coring on the face, neck and body.”
