The quest for youthful, radiant skin has led to remarkable innovations in the aesthetic industry. Among the latest breakthroughs are Ellacor and Exceed, two cutting-edge treatments that promise to revolutionize skin rejuvenation.
At Ridenour Plastic Surgery in St. Louis, we’re proud to offer both of these advanced options to our patients. But how do you know which one is right for you? Let’s explore the details of these transformative treatments and how they compare.
Exploring Ellacor®
Ellacor represents a paradigm shift in skin rejuvenation technology. This FDA-cleared device introduces Micro-Coring™, a novel approach that goes beyond traditional skin resurfacing methods. Unlike laser treatments or chemical peels that rely on controlled damage to stimulate healing, Ellacor removes tiny portions of excess skin.
How Does Ellacor® Work?
The Ellacor system uses ultra-fine hollow needles to extract minuscule cores of skin, each less than 0.5 mm in diameter. These micro-cores are immediately removed via a built-in vacuum system. The result? A reduction in skin volume without visible scarring, leading to smoother, tighter skin.
Micro-Coring technology is based on the principle that removing small amounts of excess skin can lead to significant improvements in skin appearance. As the skin heals, it contracts and tightens, reducing the appearance of wrinkles and sagging. This approach is particularly effective because it doesn’t rely on heat or other forms of energy that can potentially damage surrounding tissues.
Key Benefits of Ellacor®
The benefits of Ellacor are numerous, including:
- Targets wrinkles, fine lines and mild sagging
- Removes up to 8% of skin volume in a single session
- Requires no incisions or stitches
- Offers minimal downtime compared to surgical procedures
- Provides natural-looking results
Exploring Exceed™ Microneedling
Exceed takes microneedling to the next level. This FDA-cleared device is the first dual-indicated microneedling system approved for treating both facial wrinkles and acne scars. Exceed builds upon the principles of traditional microneedling but with enhanced precision and effectiveness.
How Does Exceed™ Work?
The Exceed pen uses fine needles to create thousands of microscopic punctures in the skin. These tiny injuries kickstart the skin’s natural healing process, stimulating collagen and elastin production.
Microneedling has come a long way since its inception. Early devices were simple rollers with fixed needles. Modern devices like Exceed offer greater precision, customization and effectiveness. Exceed’s circular motion capability is a significant advancement, allowing for more even treatment and reduced risk of skin damage.
Unique Features of Exceed™
What sets Exceed apart is its advanced technology:
- Delivers up to 900 needle punctures per second
- Features slightly larger needles for better delivery of topical treatments
- Allows for circular treatment patterns to prevent skin snagging
- Offers adjustable penetration depth and speed for customized treatments
- Allows topical products such as PRP and exosomes to reach into the dermis
Comparing Treatment Areas and Concerns
While both Ellacor and Exceed aim to improve skin texture and appearance, they target slightly different concerns.
Ellacor® Target Areas
Ellacor excels at addressing:
- Moderate skin laxity, particularly in the lower face
- Fine lines and wrinkles
- Overall skin texture and tone
Exceed™ Target Areas
Exceed is particularly effective for:
- Facial wrinkles, including periorbital wrinkles
- Acne scars
- Enlarged pores
- Uneven skin texture
Both treatments can improve the overall appearance of the skin, but Ellacor may be more suitable for those with more noticeable skin laxity, while Exceed might be the better choice for those primarily concerned with skin texture and scarring.
Ellacor® vs. Exceed™ Treatment Process and Patient Experience
The patient experience differs between these two innovative treatments.
Ellacor® Treatment Process
Ellacor treatments typically involve:
- Local anesthesia for comfort
- A 30-minute session for the face and mouth area
- Possible light sedation if desired
- Minimal discomfort during the procedure
Exceed™ Treatment Process
Exceed microneedling sessions generally include:
- Optional topical numbing cream
- A treatment time of about an hour
- A sensation of light pressure or scratching
- Minimal discomfort during the procedure
Both procedures are performed in-office and allow you to return home immediately afterward.
Comfort Levels and Anesthesia Requirements
Ellacor typically requires local anesthesia due to the nature of the micro-coring process. This makes the procedure virtually painless for most patients. Exceed, on the other hand, is generally well-tolerated with just topical numbing cream. Some patients even opt to forgo numbing altogether, finding the sensation manageable.
Ellacor® vs. Exceed™ Results and Recovery
Patients often wonder about the aftermath of these treatments. Here’s what you can expect:
Ellacor® Results and Recovery
After an Ellacor treatment, patients may notice initial results within days. However, optimal results typically develop over three to six months as the skin continues to heal and tighten. Most patients require two to three Ellacor treatments to achieve their desired outcome.
The downtime associated with Ellacor is relatively short, usually around three to five days. During this time, patients may experience some swelling and redness, which gradually subsides as the skin heals.
Exceed™ Results and Recovery
Exceed microneedling offers a more gradual improvement, with patients noticing changes over several weeks. Full results are typically visible after about 12 weeks, allowing time for collagen production to ramp up. To achieve optimal results, a series of four treatments is usually recommended.
One of the critical advantages of Exceed is its minimal downtime. Most patients experience only slight redness that subsides within hours, allowing them to return to normal activities almost immediately after treatment.
Both Ellacor and Exceed offer long-lasting results that can be maintained with proper skincare and occasional touch-up treatments. The longevity of results may vary based on individual factors such as age, skin type and lifestyle habits. Your Ridenour Plastic Surgery provider will guide you on the best maintenance plan for your unique skin needs.
Ideal Candidates
Understanding who benefits most from each treatment is crucial in making an informed decision. Several factors may influence which treatment is best for you, including the severity of your skin concerns, your skin type and tone, your tolerance for downtime and your overall health and medical history.
Who Should Consider Ellacor®?
Ellacor is best suited for:
- Adults 22 and older
- Those with Fitzpatrick skin types I-IV
- Individuals seeking significant improvement in skin laxity
- Younger patients looking for an alternative to a facelift
Who Should Consider Exceed™ Microneedling?
Exceed is ideal for:
- Adults of any age
- All skin types, including darker skin tones
- Those primarily concerned with skin texture and acne scarring
- Individuals looking for overall skin rejuvenation with minimal downtime
Is Ellacor® or Exceed™ Right for You? Questions to Ask During Your Consultation
To help you make an informed decision, consider asking these questions:
- Which treatment do you think will best address my specific concerns?
- How many treatments will I need to see optimal results?
- What kind of maintenance will be required to keep my results?
- Are there any risks or side effects I should be aware of?
Combining Treatments for Enhanced Results
At Ridenour Plastic Surgery, we believe in a comprehensive approach to skin rejuvenation. While Ellacor and Exceed can each provide significant improvements on their own, combining these treatments may yield even more impressive results for some patients. However, it’s crucial to understand that these treatments are typically not always performed at the same appointment due to their different mechanisms and recovery processes.
When combining Ellacor and Exceed, we usually recommend spacing the treatments several weeks apart. This approach allows your skin to fully recover from one treatment before undergoing the next, maximizing the benefits of each procedure while minimizing potential side effects. For example, we might suggest starting with Ellacor to address skin laxity, then following up with Exceed treatments to refine skin texture and target acne scars once the skin has healed. The specific timing and order of treatments will depend on your individual skin concerns, goals and how your skin responds to each procedure.
In addition to combining Ellacor and Exceed, we might also recommend incorporating other complementary procedures to achieve a more holistic rejuvenation, such as:
- Injectable fillers to restore volume
- Laser therapies for pigmentation issues
- Chemical peels for overall skin texture improvement
- Regenerative products such as exosomes or adipose stem cells to improve outcomes
The Importance of Expert Guidance
The key to achieving your desired results lies in personalized treatment planning. At Ridenour Plastic Surgery, we take pride in our patient-centered approach. During your consultation, we’ll thoroughly assess your skin, discuss your goals and recommend the treatment or combination of treatments best suited to your unique needs.
The Ridenour Difference
As one of St. Louis’ first providers of Ellacor and a leader in advanced microneedling and regenerative techniques, Ridenour Plastic Surgery is uniquely positioned to provide you with the most cutting-edge skin rejuvenation treatments available. Our team’s extensive experience and commitment to staying at the forefront of aesthetic innovation mean we offer expert care and optimal results, regardless of which treatment you choose.
Elevate Your Skin’s Potential With Two Powerhouse Treatments in St. Louis
Ready to discover the ideal treatment to rejuvenate your skin? Call 314-878-8600 or schedule your consultation online with Ridenour Plastic Surgery in St. Louis and let us reveal a more youthful, radiant you.
