ellacor™ for sagging: Microneedling on steroids? More like a facelift? I had it done, w/BEFORE/AFTER

NOTE: this submit is not sponsored – I simply needed to share my expertise 🙂

There isn’t any affiliate relationship with Cytrellis or the Dr workplaces the place I had the procedures. When you point out my identify (please do) to them I’ll obtain no relax of any variety. That stated, they had been gracious and I’d love for them to know I referred you IF you select to e-book with them! I put their information on the second weblog (therapeutic development).

Simply over a 12 months in the past I examine a captivating new in-clinic machine that was quickly to be launched. The machine, referred to as ellacor, had simply acquired FDA approval for the remedy of reasonable and extreme wrinkles within the mid to decrease face. Press protection concluded that Ellacor was the primary ‘minimally invasive different to a facelift’.

Since then, I’ve completed a ‘deep dive’, studying about Ellacor from a wide range of sources together with instantly from the corporate that makes it (Cytrellis), speaking to docs and different practitioners, studying peer reviewed research, and even having the process completed (together with my good friend Nancy). On this weblog and accompanying video I will share all that I’ve discovered. This weblog is prolonged, so I’ve damaged it down into a number of sections:

1. Background: how did it come about?

2. What’s it?

3. What is not it?

4. Outcomes: what are you able to count on?

5. What are my impressions of Ellacor?

6. FAQ
   
   

Along with the knowledge above, I’ve created a separate weblog that features day-to-day Ellacor™ therapeutic progress pictures, plus recommendations on what we discovered concerning the therapeutic course of from having ellacor™ two instances.

Usually I focus my consideration on home-based remedies and merchandise that may enhance the well being and look of the pores and skin. So why have I chosen to do a ‘deep dive’ on Ellacor? For a number of causes. Firstly, Ellacor™ is the first medical machine in its class, pioneering a wholly new know-how in dermatology referred to as microcoring. The overwhelming majority of the aesthetic gadgets and injectables launched yearly are ‘predicated’ on a know-how that was pioneered years in the past (that is not as a result of there’s little innovation however relatively as a result of landmark innovations equivalent to laser and hyaluronic acid-based fillers had been extraordinarily progressive and have extraordinarily sturdy analysis validating their security and efficacy).

Secondly, Ellacor™ is the brainchild of maybe essentially the most acclaimed inventor/doctor in dermatology; R. Rox Anderson. Rox Anderson is the pioneer of laser-based remedies and procedures now generally utilized in medical care to take away birthmarks, scars and different pores and skin lesions. Anderson’s groundbreaking laser know-how superior laser-based options for different areas, together with everlasting hair removing, pimples remedy, tattoo removing and the remedy of burn victims. Anderson has been awarded greater than 80 nationwide and worldwide patents and has co-authored over 250 scientific books and papers. So when Rox Anderson develops a pioneering know-how, the world listens!!

Ellacor™ makes use of Micro-Coring™ to handle reasonable to extreme wrinkles and laxity in a minimally invasive means. It makes use of no warmth, however relatively creates a core (suppose apple core or pores and skin biopsy). The needles have in-built vacuums to stabilize the encircling tissue whereas eradicating the tiny columns of extra pores and skin. Not just some both, throughout a single process on the mid-face to neck the affected person may need in extra of 20k microscopic cores of pores and skin eliminated.

“Ellacor™ is indicated to be used by medical professionals for the remedy of reasonable and extreme wrinkles within the mid and decrease face in adults aged 22 years or older with Fitzpatrick pores and skin varieties I-IV.”

Relying on the pores and skin thickness, wrinkle severity, affected person objectives and different elements, the practitioner may select to take away from 1% to eight% of the pores and skin’s floor and create cores from depths various from 2.5mm to 4mm. Each instances I had the process I had 8% eliminated.

ellacor™ Pores and skin Elimination Sample and Depth

With any new modality, many people are attempting to place into context what Ellacor™ is by understanding what it is not. Since letting individuals know that I used to be having the process completed, maybe the most important query I’ve had has been ‘How is it totally different from ______’. I’ve summarized my findings beneath (I’m engaged on a desk, I will add it as quickly because it’s full!).

How is Ellacor™ totally different from a facelift?

Thirty years in the past, having a ‘facelift’ sometimes meant having pores and skin eliminated and the remaining pores and skin pulled as much as tighten the face, maybe with some removing of fats. The sort of surgical procedure did not contain deeper connective and muscle tissues. Outcomes had been typically quick lived, because the underlying tissue wasn’t addressed. Since then, numerous extra superior procedures (most evolutionary) have been launched which permit surgeons to raise deeper tissues whereas, on the similar time, eradicating lax pores and skin.

Ellacor™ removes lax pores and skin, however microcoring differs from the newest facelift know-how in a number of vital methods. The important thing factor to recollect is {that a} facelift can reposition tissues beneath the pores and skin whereas Ellacor can’t. Moreover, a surgeon can take away a bigger amount of tissue with surgical procedure than is feasible with a sequence of ellacor™ remedies. A facelift leaves a number of scars, and whereas surgeons will take care to place these discreetly, there isn’t any approach to keep away from scars with conventional surgical procedure. An Ellacor™ remedy is way much less invasive than cosmetic surgery of the decrease face, so the resultant irritation and swelling is way much less and therapeutic time is far faster.

FACELIFT: Throughout a facelift, extra facial fats is often eliminated, facial muscle tissues are tightened, lax pores and skin is eliminated and remaining pores and skin is stretched to offer a smoother look. The SMAS (superficial musculoaponeurotic system), is a tissue sheet of collagen and elastin fibers, and fats cells extending from the neck as much as the brow connects mimetic expression muscle tissues to the dermis. The newest facelifts make changes on this SMAS layer along with impacting the pores and skin. Scars are created the place the pores and skin is stitched again, however these are typically completed discreetly and heal over a interval of months/years. Facelifts are carried out by plastic surgeons.

Ellacor™ : Pores and skin is eliminated however not surgically stretched. Moderately, the tiny holes rapidly shut up and heal collectively. Deeper facial tissues will not be impacted. Ellacor will be carried out by docs (together with plastic surgeons and dermatologists) and doctor’s assistants.

How is Ellacor™ different from fractional laser remedies equivalent to C02?

Fractional lasers are resurfacing lasers that focus on wrinkles and textural points by creating columns of warmth injury within the pores and skin. By sending columns of warmth into the pores and skin (contrasted with allover injury) pores and skin is ready to heal and regenerate extra rapidly resulting in the looks of a revitalized complexion.

FRACTIONAL LASER. Fractional lasers ship tiny beams of warmth into the floor of the pores and skin with the target of collagen transforming

Ellacor™ . Ellacor™ makes use of no warmth however as an alternative removes cores of the dermis and dermis.

How is Ellacor™ totally different from microneedling?

In contrast to microneedling, which induces new collagen and a sequence of occasions that assist to make the pores and skin healther, by utilizing needles to pierce small holes within the pores and skin, Ellacor™ removes cores of pores and skin utilizing extraordinarily wonderful hole needles. With microneedling at dwelling, shallow depths are advisable (<.3mm for="" cosmetic="" needling="" and="" to="" medical="" whereas="" ellacor="" has="" needle="" coring="" depth="" reaching="" into="" the="" depths="" of="" dermal="" layer.="" microneedling="" can="" be="" done="" at="" home="" with="" appropriate="" equipment="" sanitary="" conditions="" while="" microcoring="" is="" only="" in="" a="" clinical="" setting="" pain="" reliever.="">

MICRONEEDLING: Needles pierce small holes to elicit collagen induction and pores and skin remodelling.

Ellacor™: Hole needles take away cores of tissue

How is Ellacor™ totally different from plasma fibroblast?

Plasma fibroblast (additionally referred to as plasma pen) tasks a centered high-frequency electrical present to tiny areas of the pores and skin. The tip of the machine doesn’t instantly contact the pores and skin, however relatively, releases a focused present simply above. The new present creates micro-injuries within the dermis which breaks down proteins within the dermis. Proponents declare that the process encourages tissue regeneration by stimulating fibroblast exercise and causes the pores and skin to tighten.

PLASMA FIBROBLAST: Plasma fibroblast primarily burns small holes within the very high degree of pores and skin – the dermis. Whereas some tightening might seem to happen initially, the process has drawbacks which embrace danger of eye harm and danger of hyperpigmentation. Some international locations, together with Canada, have banned the process.

Ellacor™: Ellacor™removes tiny cores from the pores and skin with out the usage of warmth. Ellacor presents no danger or burning nor danger to the attention. Ellacor goes into the deepest degree of the dermis.

How is Ellacor™ totally different from Morpeus8™ and different radiofrequency/microneedling remedies?

Morpheus8™ and different RF/MN instruments are utilized in a scientific setting to advertise collagen manufacturing and elastin to agency pores and skin and decrease wrinkles. RF/MN gadgets use tiny needles to ship RF power to totally different depths of the pores and skin. The needles and warmth from the radio frequency power create micro-injuries, which set off the physique’s pure therapeutic response

Morpeus8™ (MN/RF): MN/RF makes use of microneedles to ship radio frequency generated warmth into deep layers of the pores and skin

Ellacor™: Ellacor makes use of no warmth, however relatively removes tiny cores of pores and skin.

RESULTS: WHAT CAN YOU EXPECT?

Okay, we all know what Ellacor is, and what it is not – now for the great things: BEFORE/AFTERS!!

A constant approach to measure outcomes

Let’s rapidly deal with how the dermatology career gauges the efficacy of a tool like Ellacor™. Of their research, Cytrellis, the maker of Ellacor™, centered on wrinkles of the mid to decrease face. The examine adopted 51 ladies with an common age of 63 (starting from age 57 to 69) who had two to a few remedies. As a device to gauge the effectiveness of the process, the Lemperle Wrinkle Severity Scale (LWSS) was used. The LWSS scale was developed over 20 years in the past to evaluate the effectiveness of varied fillers at lowering wrinkles, so its a tried-and-true approach to decide the effectiveness of Ellacor. The examine additionally used the International Aesthetic Enchancment Scale (GAIS) which measures participant and clinician’s perceptions.

To be included within the examine, the themes wanted to be between 40 and 70 years of age at baseline with mid to decrease face wrinkles with a grade of three (reasonably deep wrinkles) and/or 4 (deep wrinkles, well- outlined edges) on at the very least one aspect utilizing the Lemperle Wrinkle Severity Scale (LWSS) and Fitzpatrick Pores and skin Sort I to IV. I feel it is a key factor to notice – the examine was aimed squarely at ladies who had reasonable to deep wrinkles, not delicate laxity.

Lemperle Wrinkle Severity Scale

1: simply perceptible wrinkle

3: reasonably deep wrinkle (Ellacor™ sweetspot)

4: deep wrinkle with well-defined edges (Ellacor™sweetspot)

5: very deep wrinkle with redundant fold

The 51 members within the Ellacor™ trial skilled a imply enchancment of 1.3-grades on the Lemperle Ranking Scale after two to a few Ellacor™ remedies. Successfully that signifies that a examine participant who had ‘deep wrinkles with well outlined edges’ initially of the examine moved down a rung to having ‘reasonably deep wrinkles’ within the areas handled. Fairly spectacular, as you will see within the beneath pictures.

International Aesthetic Enchancment Scale (GAIS)

Along with enhancements that had been bodily measurable, the pivotal examine measured how members perceived the remedy, Enchancment within the GAIS was reported for 89.7% of handled websites within the Ellacor examine, and common enchancment of GAIS was 1.5 (midway between ‘a lot improved’ and ‘very a lot improved’.) I feel this is a vital measurement. In spite of everything, it is how we really feel concerning the modifications in our pores and skin that issues essentially the most!!

Under we’ve got a sequence of pictures depicting the outcomes of two to a few Ellacor remedies on ladies in varied age brackets. The primary two are me and my good friend, the remaining six are courtesy of Cytrellis, the model that makes Ellacor™. The third photograph was taken by a training clinic and the remaining pictures had been taken as a part of Cytrellis’ examine on the efficacy of Ellacor™.

As you may see from the pictures above, the examine demonstrated that certainly, ladies with reasonably deep and deep wrinkles confirmed vital enchancment after one to a few Ellacor remedies. You possibly can see from the primary two pictures of me and my good friend that gentle laxity, whereas improved (Nancy’s, not mine), would not give the ‘wow’ issue as does the remedy outcomes on deeper wrinkles and laxity.

Ellacor™: THE PROCEDURE – MY EXPERIENCE

The Ellacor process itself was very straight-forward. These are the steps I went by:

1. ‘Earlier than’ pictures had been taken

2. Numbing cream utilized

3. Session with the practitioner and objectives re-discussed, areas on face outlined for remedy.

4. Nerve blocks (lidocaine with epinephrine injected). This was the trickiest half. Actually, it is a bit intimidating seeing all of these needles lined up on a tray. Most injections aren’t too painful however the ones across the mouth/chin are a bit spicy and unnerving.

5. The process. As soon as the ache medicine was in full pressure I discovered the process nearly painless. Actually there is a little bit of a vibration and a sense that the physician was form of ‘jack hammering’ my face, however it was a bit humorous/odd relatively than regarding. There was a good quantity of blood (sure, I am a ‘bleeder’ 🩸) however it was rapidly dabbed away by the PA’s damp fabric. I had each face and neck completed (together with sub-mental space) and the process itself took about 25 minutes.

6. After I was completed I used to be fairly a bit puffy for some time, however I used to be given prednisone to assist deliver down the puffiness.

Ellacor™ : THE HEALING – BEFORE-CARE AND AFTERCARE and therapeutic pictures

ELLACOR: WHAT ARE MY RECOMMENDATIONS AND IMPRESSIONS?

1. This can be a process, not a ‘remedy’. Be ready, be sure it is for YOU and that it is the optimum approach to put money into addressing the particular points that you just need to deal with (do not simply bounce on the bandwagon as a result of it is new!!)

2. Be sure to e-book a pre-procedure session. Ask questions (I’ve an inventory for you right here!). Be sure to discover a practitioner who has expertise particularly with Ellacor. Sure, the modality is new, however many practitioners who’ve solely had the machine for 6-12 months have centered on Ellacor of their observe and carried out in extra of 100 remedies.

3. Be sure to’re conscious of what Ellacor is finest at. From what I’ve noticed, the most effective outcomes are within the areas of jawline definition and smile traces (accordion traces), and essentially the most spectacular outcomes come from sufferers with extra vital wrinkling and laxity than Nancy and I had.

4. Be sure to’re ready with aftercare – BEFORE you go into the remedy. I took longer to heal the primary time – I paid extra consideration to prep and submit take care of my second remedy.

Maybe the second most typical query I get once I point out to folks that I had Ellacor™ was ‘had been you glad you probably did it?’ For me it was a unbelievable studying expertise. I had gone into the remedy to assemble information and expertise to share and presumably get slightly lip raise. Nancy was in search of a ‘raise’ that may come about after eradicating 15% of pores and skin (two remedies). Did we see this raise? Not a lot. But when I look again at what Ellacor™ guarantees, it actually would not declare to supply a raise for individuals with gentle laxity. As an alternative, its focus is the removing of extra pores and skin that is contributing to wrinkles. Additionally, I am vulnerable to hyperpigmentaion and skilled PIE/PIH and a few textural (above my lip has texture that I did not have earlier than…I’m hoping it will resolve itself) modifications to my pores and skin which can be taking time and funding to resolve. My good friend Nancy did not expertise these items. That is why it’s so vital for us to study all we are able to about procedures, mirror on what we learn about our personal pores and skin and the way it responds, discover an skilled practitioner and ASK QUESTIONS.

I feel Ellacor is a really compelling process for girls (there haven’t but been research on males) who’ve reasonable to deep wrinkles and will not be vulnerable to hyperpigmentaion.

Q. What’s the ‘ultimate affected person profile’ for ellacor?

ellacor is indicated for the remedy of reasonable and extreme wrinkles within the mid and decrease face in adults aged 22 years or older with Fitzpatrick pores and skin varieties I-IV. It seems that essentially the most profitable remedies are people who deal with accordion traces and laxity that creates folds/wrinkles within the mid and decrease face (take a look on the earlier than/after pictures, above)

Q. How is Ellacor totally different from different remedies that deal with laxity equivalent to Morpheus8, lasers and a facelift?

Q. How lengthy does the remedy take?

Whereas the remedy itself sometimes takes below an hour, my expertise is that you just’ll need to reserve at the very least 90 minutes earlier than and in addition after. Beforehand your practitioner will take pictures, numb you up and presumably inject further ache medication. Relying on what ache medicine you acquired, you’ll need time afterwards for any bleeding to cease, to reacclimate, and to prep your self for journey dwelling. Whereas I skilled little or no ache in the course of the remedy, it’s fairly an uncommon expertise to have cores eliminated out of your face (image a mini jackhammer – there’s a sensation/vibration). I feel it’s good to take time to ‘reset’ your self earlier than leaving a clinic.

Q. Is Ellacor preventative? In different phrases, if I’ve minor laxity at age 45-50 and have a sequence of 2-3 Ellacor procedures, will it assist me keep away from future laxity?

We can’t be capable to touch upon this as we do not at the moment have research to help it; info would wish to return from a health care provider.

You definitely wouldn’t need to have Ellacor with out good anesthetic. Usually, each topical and injectable anesthetics are used earlier than the process. Totally different clinicians might have totally different ache administration protocols so that is positively one thing it is best to talk about together with your physician. I discover the injection of nerve block fairly a ‘bracing’ expertise, so for me, that was the worst a part of it, however everyone seems to be totally different! The model communicates that the typical ache reported by pivotal examine sufferers was lower than a 2 on a 0-10 scale.

Q. What’s going to I appear to be instantly after? Will I be capable to drive dwelling? How a lot downtime can I count on?

I appeared very pink/pink after the classes and had minor pinpoint bleeding that stopped inside a number of hours of the process. The pinpoints go on to create tiny scabs that don’t slough off for a number of days. As for restoration time, I feel that is variable on numerous issues however I used to be in a position to exit in public with make-up and have little look of a process completed (I may nonetheless see the stamps however others might not have been in a position to…. the pores and skin positively wasn’t wanting its finest) inside about 10-12 days. Do comply with your practitioner’s directions about aftercare and take a look at my very own ‘restoration suggestions’ to set your self up for the most effective outcomes. Additionally, take a look at my and Nancy’s therapeutic pictures to get a way of how the 2 of us healed in another way. The model communicates that of their pivotal scientific trial, 70% of sufferers had been comfy going out in public or returning to work 3 days post-procedure. This was not my expertise. Nonetheless, everyone seems to be totally different. Some individuals might want a number of additional days of restoration time till they’re comfy going out in public, or till the pores and skin has totally healed post-procedure.

Q. What’s the diameter of the Ellacor coring needles compared with microneedles on the Dr. Pen cartridge?

A. Ellacor’s needles are 0.5mm. Dr. Pen’s needle varies relying on the cartridge however I’ve seen from 0.18mm on Dr. Pen M8 and A6S to 0.25 on the Dr. Pen A6. Understand that the ellacor needle is hole to allow to create the pores and skin core whereas the microneedling needles are stable.

Q. What’s the vary of depth of extraction of pores and skin that may be set? What’s the most typical depth?

The most typical depth is 4mm however the vary is 3-5mm

Q. I examine an organization referred to as Recros Medica who was bringing a device to market referred to as the Nuvellus which is meant to be much like Ellacor. Is there any information right here?

Recros Medix determined to not launch Nuvellus to the market. Ellacor is the first-and-only non-surgical process that removes sagging pores and skin with patented Micro-Coring® Know-how.

Q. What value vary can I count on?

Ellacor is charged per process and the standard affected person would require 2-3 procedures for optimum outcomes. The vary I’ve seen is $3,400 to $6,000 for two remedies.

Q. Is Ellacor accessible exterior the US?

At the moment, Ellacor is barely accessible within the US. Nonetheless, because the process is minimally invasive and has fast prep and therapeutic time, US Ellacor practitioners are reporting sufferers flying in from Europe and additional afield for remedies. Keep in mind that the typical individual would wish two to a few remedies to see the most effective outcomes, so the journey may get costly.

Q. Would Ellacor be a viable possibility to assist shorten the philtrum (the area between mouth and nostril?

Whereas the Ellacor course of removes as much as 8% of pores and skin throughout every session, there’s no proof that the removing of this pores and skin between the mouth and nostril shortens the philtrum. Neither Nancy nor I noticed philtrum shortening after two remedies (we had been each hopeful!)

Q. Are there purposes/dangers of eradicating fats with Ellacor?

Ellacor shouldn’t be at the moment indicated for eradicating fats.

Q. When will I see modifications? Speedy vs 3 months vs 6 months?

Adjustments can be gradual and rely on the pores and skin of the affected person. Within the scientific trial, most sufferers underwent a sequence of two to a few procedures spaced roughly 30 days aside and plenty of started to see modifications of their pores and skin between 30-90 days submit process.

Q. Can Ellacor be used to deal with scars? Take away tattoos?

Ellacor shouldn’t be at the moment indicated for treating scars or eradicating tattoos.

Q. Does Ellacor create scar tissue?

Ellacor is minimally invasive and doesn’t use thermal power or create scarring.

Q. Does Ellacor take away hair follicles/beard hair?

Males might discover a slight lower in facial hair which can be everlasting. If it is a concern I’d advocate you talk about this together with your clinician.

Q. I’ve seen that Ellacor is barely suggested for Fitzpatrick I-IV. Is there a danger of hyperpigmentation?

A . This is a vital query. I skilled hyperpigmentation and for reference I’m a fitzpatrick 2-3

as a result of darker pores and skin varieties (V and VI) might react in another way to aesthetic remedies than lighter pores and skin varieties (I-IV), a separate scientific examine is required to judge the correct protocols for utilizing Ellacor on darker pores and skin varieties.

Q. Can Ellacor deal with nasolabial folds?

Nasolabial folds are attributable to a posh set of variables. Lack of fats within the deeper tissues and lack of muscle within the midface can contribute, as can the lack of collagen and elastin within the face. Ellacor doesn’t cope with the deeper layers of the facial tissues (fats and muscle) however can cut back the laxity of the pores and skin which might trigger sagging.

Q. Can Ellacor deal with marionette traces?

Marionette traces are prompted when the depressor anguli oris muscle (DAO) pulls down the corners of the mouth, inflicting the corners of the mouth to droop. The difficulty will be exacerbated once we lose elasticity and quantity within the pores and skin. So sure, whereas lax pores and skin isn’t the one contributor to marionette traces, coping with pores and skin laxity will be a part of the answer.

Q. Does Ellacor give a ‘lifting’ impact?

In my private expertise (and observations when taking a look at my earlier than/after pictures), Ellacor didn’t present a ‘lifting impact’. We all know that producing a ‘lifted’ look has rather more to do than lifting the outer tissue (pores and skin), because the underlying fats, fascia and muscle all play a task in how taut our pores and skin seems. Having stated that, relying on an individual’s distinctive physiology and the place the laxity stems from, it’s definitely potential that some sufferers observe a lifting impact.

Q. Can Ellacor be used for sagging pores and skin close to knees, elbows, thighs and the again of the arms?

Some docs are utilizing Ellacor ‘off-label’ on different areas of the face and physique past the decrease face. It’s vital to notice that each one printed papers and testing to this point have been completed on the decrease face. It isn’t essentially problematic that the machine is utilized in different areas (with an Ellacor-trained clinician) however no scientific knowledge but exists to help this use.

Q. Along with pores and skin removing, does Ellacor provide the identical ‘collagen induction remedy’ advantages of microneedling, laser and RF/MN?

Whereas no research have been carried out to measure ‘collagen induction’, it’s affordable to count on that the method of excision stimulates collagen manufacturing in a lot the identical means as microneedling. In accordance with the paper Dermal Micro-Coring™ for the Therapy of Average to Extreme Facial Wrinkles printed in October 2002 ‘Preliminary findings included a big enhance in pores and skin thickness in MCT (microcore)-treated areas compared with management in each belly and facial pores and skin.’

Q. I’m vulnerable to post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation (PIH) and post-inflammatory erythema (PIE.) Is Ellacor proper for me?

I’ll be sincere right here, I had each PIE and PIH after my two Ellacor remedies. I’ve additionally skilled some undesirable textural modifications to my pores and skin that I wasn’t anticipating. I’d say that in case you have any issues about PIE/PIH it’s vital that you just talk about this together with your physician well prematurely of the remedy (remember that my good friend Nancy shouldn’t be vulnerable to PIH/PIE and skilled neither of those points with Ellacor.)

I’m engaged on gathering solutions to MANY extra questions. When you depart them beneath my YouTube video I’ll do my finest to get them answered and add them right here!

I hope this helps!! Please subscribe to my publication on the house web page of this web site for extra skincare information and training!