Ellacor
Serving Danville, Oakland, Walnut Creek, Dublin, Livermore, and across the East Bay metro area
While traditional non-surgical treatments often rely on heat to shrink lax tissue, Ellacor represents a paradigm shift in aesthetic medicine by physically removing micro-cores of redundant skin.
This FDA-cleared technology allows Dr. Ronan to address skin laxity at a structural level, offering a middle ground for patients who desire more than a laser can provide but aren't yet ready for a surgical face or neck lift.
By extracting thousands of microscopic segments, Ellacor literally reduces the surface area of your skin, resulting in a firmer, smoother, and more youthful contour without a single horizontal incision.
Ellacor works through a groundbreaking technique called micro-coring, which removes thousands of tiny skin cores to tighten and rejuvenate the skin without leaving scars. Unlike traditional surgical methods that require large incisions or energy-based devices that provide minimal results, Ellacor directly targets sagging skin by extracting micro-sized cores with a specialized device.
As the skin naturally heals, collagen production is stimulated, tightening and firming the treated area over time. This minimally invasive procedure is precise, safe, and effective, making it ideal for areas like the face, neck, arms, and thighs where subtle but noticeable tightening is desired.
Over 90% of ellacor patients show an improvement in the appearance of moderate to severe wrinkles.
With no cutting and minimal downtime, ellacor offers a revolutionary solution for anyone seeking firmer, more youthful skin without surgery.
Ellacor uses a specialized method that removes small skin cores without heat or lasers. This process is designed to be less invasive than traditional skin resurfacing methods.
The ellacor system’s primary application is in treating moderate to severe wrinkles. By removing tiny skin tissue segments, the system promotes the skin’s natural healing process, leading to rejuvenation and reduced wrinkles.
One of the significant advantages of ellacor is the reduced recovery time compared to more invasive dermatological procedures. Patients can expect minimal downtime, making it a convenient option for those who cannot afford long recovery periods.
Your ellacor treatment begins with a detailed consultation at our Danville office to ensure this is the right path for your skin goals. On the day of your treatment, a local anesthetic is applied to the targeted areas to ensure you remain comfortable throughout the ellacor procedure.
Once the area is numb, the provider uses the ellacor device to remove micro cores of skin in a precise grid pattern. The hollow needles remove micro cores so small that the skin is able to heal quickly without scarring. The entire ellacor session typically takes about 30 to 60 minutes. Because the device does not generate heat, there is minimal risk of heat-related complications, making the healing process predictable and efficient.
While ellacor is a powerful standalone solution for skin tightening, its true potential is often unlocked when paired with other advanced procedures to achieve a holistic facial transformation. Because ellacor focuses on the physical removal of excess skin without thermal energy, it can be seamlessly integrated into a larger surgical or non-surgical plan to address multiple layers of the aging process simultaneously.
Whether performed as a primary treatment on the face, neck, or body, or as a sophisticated addition to surgery or laser skin resurfacing, ellacor offers the flexibility to be customized to your specific anatomy. During your consultation, Dr. Ronan will determine if you are an ideal candidate for a combination treatment, ensuring that every layer of your rejuvenation plan is handled with clinical integrity and artistic balance.
Dr. Ronan frequently utilizes ellacor in the following combinations:
For patients undergoing a facelift, Ellacor can be performed during the same surgical session to refine the skin texture and address fine vertical wrinkles that a traditional lift might not fully resolve.
Combining Ellacor with a CO2 laser allows for a "total surface" reset. While Ellacor provides structural tightening through micro-coring, the laser targets surface pigmentation and deep sun damage, resulting in a dramatic improvement in both skin tone and firmness.
For those experiencing significant hollows, ellacor is often paired with facial fat transfer. This "lift and fill" approach addresses the two primary signs of aging—skin laxity and volume loss—using your body’s own natural tissues and healing mechanisms.
*Individual Results May Vary
Ellacor is ideal for patients looking for a non-surgical solution for mid-to-lower face wrinkles and excess skin. Ellacor is approved for Fitzpatrick skin types I-IV, which means it may not be a good option for patients with darker skin tones. Ellacor should not be performed on people who have medical conditions that inhibit proper wound healing or women who are pregnant.
Ellacor recovery time is significantly shorter than that of a surgical procedure. Immediately following your ellacor micro-coring treatment, you can expect some redness, swelling, and minor bruising in the treated area. These side effects are a normal part of the healing process and typically peak within the first few days.
We provide comprehensive aftercare instructions to support proper wound healing. Most patients feel comfortable returning to social activities within three to seven days. While you should avoid direct sun exposure and strenuous activity for a short period, the minimal downtime makes this a popular choice for busy professionals in the Bay Area.
You should see some initial results in one week, although redness and swelling can obscure your results for several weeks. Expect to wait 3 to 6 months for all side effects to subside so you can see the complete results of your treatment.
As your skin heals and collagen production increases, you will notice a gradual improvement in skin texture and firmness. The most impressive Ellacor results often appear after a series of treatments, providing a smoother, more vibrant appearance. Because the device removes micro cores of skin, the tightening is physical and enduring. You can expect a significant reduction in the appearance of moderate to severe wrinkles, leaving you with youthful skin that feels as good as it looks.
When undergoing a treatment as advanced as Ellacor, the experience of your provider is paramount. At Blackhawk Plastic Surgery & MedSpa, our team is led by a board-certified plastic surgeon who understands the intricacies of facial anatomy. We don't just use the technology; we master it to ensure your results are subtle, sophisticated, and natural. From your initial treatment to your final follow-up, we prioritize your safety and your aesthetic vision.
While everyone's pain threshold is different, we use a local anesthetic to ensure the treated area is fully numbed before the needles remove micro cores. Most patients describe the sensation as a light pressure rather than pain.
Most skin-tightening lasers use heat to "shrink" the skin. Ellacor is different because it physically removes micro cores of skin. This means there is no risk of thermal damage to the surrounding tissue, and the tightening is achieved through a reduction in skin surface area.
Yes. To achieve comprehensive facial rejuvenation, some patients combine Ellacor with dermal fillers or other skin resurfacing treatments. Dr. Ronan can help you design a holistic plan during your consultation.
The number of treatments you need will depend on the severity of your skin concerns and skin goals. Most patients see excellent results with one session, but you can choose to have 2 to 3 sessions for optimal results. Your provider at Blackhawk Plastic Surgery & MedSpa will recommend the best number of treatment sessions based on your individual needs.
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Located in Danville’s Blackhawk Plaza, Blackhawk Plastic Surgery & MedSpa is Northern California’s largest, most advanced plastic surgery and medspa center.
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