MANUFACTURER CASE STUDY · 01 / 06
View full-size image Lower face & jawline
Photo credit: Siamak Agha, M.D., PhD
Advanced skin rejuvenation · San Antonio, TX
Ellacor® Micro-Coring® Skin Tightening in San Antonio, TX
A different approach to tighter, smoother skin.
Loose skin and wrinkles don't always mean you're ready for surgery. At Eterna Cosmetic Surgery, Dr. Elizabeth Hernandez offers ellacor 2.0 with Micro-Coring® technology—removing microscopic columns of skin without laser or radiofrequency heat. Treatment is customized for the face and selected body areas.
Editorial model illustration · Not a treated patient
Technology
Micro-Coring®
Microscopic tissue removal · No heat
Lower-face appointment
60–90 min
Including numbing and aftercare discussion
Visible recovery
~ 1 week
Eterna's general planning guidance; varies
Typical sessions
1–3
Individualized by Dr. Hernandez
01 / Understand the technology
What Is Ellacor 2.0 and How Does Micro-Coring Work?
Ellacor 2.0 uses specially designed hollow needles to remove microscopic columns of skin containing tissue from the epidermis and dermis. The provider adjusts treatment depth and density according to the selected area and patient needs.
Unlike laser resurfacing or radiofrequency skin tightening, Ellacor does not use thermal energy. It combines controlled microscopic tissue removal with the skin's natural healing and remodeling response.
Microscopic skin removal. Hollow needles remove tiny columns of skin at controlled depths, without long surgical skin-removal incisions.
Natural healing and closure. The surrounding tissue begins closing the microscopic openings as the skin heals.
Gradual remodeling. The treated skin may develop a smoother appearance, with improvement in selected wrinkles and skin concerns.
Conceptual medical illustration, not to scale; settings and individual response vary.
Clinical evidence
A published multicenter study involving 51 patients evaluated Micro-Coring for moderate-to-severe mid/lower facial wrinkles and reported improvements during follow-up. Participants in the final analysis had received at least two treatments. These findings do not establish identical outcomes in every body area or with ellacor 2.0. Read the published study ↗ or the manufacturer's procedure explanation ↗.
02 / Understand the differences
How Does Ellacor Compare With Other Skin-Tightening Treatments?
Treatments work differently. Some stimulate remodeling, others contract tissue with energy, and surgery can remove or reposition excess skin. The right approach depends on the underlying concern.
Ellacor vs. Traditional Microneedling
Both use tiny needles, but Ellacor physically removes microscopic columns of skin rather than simply creating punctures. Neither procedure is automatically the better choice for every concern.
∴
VS.
Traditional microneedling
Creates controlled microscopic punctures to stimulate healing and collagen remodeling. May be considered for fine lines, texture irregularities, and certain scars.
Creates microscopic punctures.
◌
Ellacor Micro-Coring
Uses specialized hollow needles to mechanically remove microscopic columns of skin. May be considered for selected facial wrinkles and fractional resurfacing concerns.
Removes microscopic tissue.Comparing Your Skin Rejuvenation Options
| Treatment | How it works | When it may be considered |
|---|---|---|
| Ellacor 2.0 | Physically removes microscopic skin columns without heat. | Selected wrinkles and fractional skin-resurfacing concerns. |
| Traditional microneedling | Creates microscopic punctures that stimulate skin remodeling. | Fine lines, texture changes, and some scars. |
| Morpheus8 ↗ | Radiofrequency microneedling heats targeted tissue for remodeling. | Selected concerns involving texture, wrinkles, and firmness. |
| Renuvion J-Plasma ↗ | Uses radiofrequency energy and helium plasma for soft-tissue contraction. | Certain skin-laxity applications within its indications. |
| Surgical lifting / skin removal | Removes excess skin and may reposition underlying tissues. | Substantial redundant skin or structural sagging. |
Different procedures have different indications, risks, recovery requirements, and limitations. Eterna's skin-tightening options provide additional context.
Guiding principle
The right treatment is the one that matches your anatomy and goals, not simply the newest technology.
03 / Treatment areas
ILLUSTRATIVE IMAGE · NOT A PATIENT RESULT
Individual evaluation is essential. The facial-wrinkle indication is distinct from the broader fractional skin-resurfacing indication; not all areas or skin types have equivalent evidence or predicted outcomes. Photos are illustrative, not treatment results.
What Areas Can Ellacor 2.0 Treat?
Ellacor first became known for mid/lower facial wrinkles. The newer system also has an expanded fractional skin-resurfacing indication. Dr. Elizabeth Hernandez evaluates these facial and body areas according to your skin, anatomy, and goals.
Explore the areas below to see when Micro-Coring may be considered.
ILLUSTRATIVE IMAGE · NOT A PATIENT RESULT
FACIAL REJUVENATION
Addressing Facial Wrinkles and Changes in Skin Firmness
Wrinkles around the cheeks, mouth, and lower face can become more pronounced as skin loses elasticity.
Ellacor offers a minimally invasive option for moderate-to-severe mid/lower facial wrinkles in appropriately selected patients. Treatment of the lower face and jawline is customized to individual skin characteristics.
Important to know
Ellacor does not replace a facelift when significant lifting or repositioning of deeper facial tissue is needed.
Ellacor has a specific FDA-cleared facial-wrinkle indication and a distinct fractional resurfacing indication. Evidence and suitability vary by area; suitability requires clinical assessment.
04 / Candidacy and precautions
Am I a Good Candidate for Ellacor 2.0?
Ellacor may be considered for selected wrinkles and resurfacing concerns, but loose skin alone does not determine treatment fit. Medical history, skin type, anatomy, and expectations matter.
Who may benefit?
- Adults with moderate-to-severe mid/lower facial wrinkles who meet device criteria.
- People exploring resurfacing in an appropriately selected treatment area.
- Patients considering options other than traditional skin-removal surgery.
- Those able to follow recovery instructions and maintain realistic expectations.
For the mid/lower facial-wrinkle indication, the FDA-cleared labeling specifies adults aged 22 or older with Fitzpatrick skin types I–IV. The separate fractional skin resurfacing indication should not be taken to establish identical evidence for every skin tone or anatomical location.
05 / The appointment
What Happens During an Ellacor Treatment?
Eterna's personalized appointment includes preparation, local anesthesia, customized Micro-Coring, and aftercare review. Other treatment locations may need different appointment lengths.
60–90minutes · typical lower-face appointment including numbing and aftercare
01
Preparation and numbing
Local anesthetic injections numb the treatment area. Eterna offers Pro-Nox, a patient-controlled nitrous oxide and oxygen system, to help eligible patients manage discomfort during numbing. Dr. Hernandez reports numbness typically lasts about four hours, but responses vary.
02
Customized Micro-Coring
Once adequately numb, the selected area is treated with settings chosen for the skin and treatment goals. Local anesthesia helps minimize discomfort, though individual sensations vary.
03
Aftercare review
Eterna's team explains how to care for the treated skin, what healing changes to expect, and when you may resume products and activities.
06 / Planning recovery
What Is Ellacor Recovery Like?
Dr. Hernandez generally recommends allowing about one week of visible downtime, though some patients heal sooner and others need longer. Healing varies by patient, area, and settings.
First 24–48 hours
Redness, swelling, tenderness, and visible treatment marks may occur.
Days 3–4
Early healing may improve. Makeup may be possible around day three only if the skin is sufficiently healed and your clinician approves.
Days 5–7
Redness and swelling may continue easing. One week before important events is a planning guideline, not a guarantee.
Following weeks
Residual redness or discoloration may resolve while skin remodeling continues.
This is a general guide. Facial and body treatment sites may heal differently; follow your individual instructions.
Caring for treated skin
Follow Eterna's cleansing and skin-protection instructions. Dr. Hernandez may recommend Bio Serum, Bio Cream, or PDGF adjuncts for selected patients; these do not guarantee faster healing or improved outcomes.
Contact the treating clinician promptly for increasing pain, spreading redness, fever, unusual drainage, or other concerning symptoms.
Healing isn't the final result
Visible improvement can develop over weeks or months. Individual skin characteristics, treatment settings, and number of sessions affect the outcome.
07 / Results and sessions
When Will I See Results From Ellacor?
Microscopic skin removal occurs during treatment, but visible cosmetic improvement often develops gradually as redness, swelling, and other healing changes resolve.
The amount and timing of improvement vary with the treatment area, skin characteristics, technique, and healing response. Ellacor does not prevent natural aging or replace surgery where significant lifting is needed.
1–3
Individualized treatment sessions
Dr. Hernandez reports that some patients notice improvement after one session. Others may benefit from a series of up to three, based on concerns and desired improvement.
08 / Manufacturer-provided examples
Ellacor Before & After Results
These manufacturer-provided examples show outcomes involving lower-face wrinkles and other facial concerns. They are from the credited physicians, not Eterna Cosmetic Surgery patients, and should not be assumed to demonstrate ellacor 2.0 specifically.
MANUFACTURER CASE STUDY · 02 / 06
View full-size image Lower-face wrinkles
Photo credit: Mathew M. Avram, M.D., J.D.
MANUFACTURER CASE STUDY · 03 / 06
View full-size image Lower-face rejuvenation
Photo credit: Omar A. Ibrahimi, M.D., PhD
MANUFACTURER CASE STUDY · 04 / 06
View full-size image Lower face & jawline
Photo credit: Henry A. Mentz, M.D.
MANUFACTURER CASE STUDY · 05 / 06
View full-size image Lower-face treatment
Photo credit: Oren Tessler, M.D.
MANUFACTURER CASE STUDY · 06 / 06
View full-size image Lower-face wrinkles
Photo credit: Jill Waibel, M.D.
01 / 06
09 / Treatment investment
How Much Does Ellacor Cost in San Antonio?
At Eterna, pricing depends on the treatment area, complexity, and personalized plan recommended by Dr. Hernandez.
Lower face
$3,000–
$4,000 Typical price range
$4,000 Typical price range
Body treatments
$4,000+
Starting price
Editorially enhanced portrait from an Eterna-provided reference · Final practice approval required
10 / Why choose Eterna?
Technology Matters.
Why Choose Eterna Cosmetic Surgery for Ellacor?
Technology Matters.
So Does Judgment.
Advanced technology can expand treatment possibilities, but the appropriate procedure depends on a careful evaluation of your actual concerns.
At Eterna Cosmetic Surgery, Dr. Elizabeth Hernandez considers your anatomy, skin condition, medical history, and desired improvement before recommending an approach. Because Eterna offers Ellacor alongside treatments such as Morpheus8 and Renuvion, patients can discuss several different options for skin resurfacing, remodeling, and tightening.
She also discusses the procedure, relevant risks, recovery expectations, and financial commitment so that you can make an informed choice.
The goal isn't simply another technology. It's choosing a treatment that makes sense for you.
Meet Dr. Elizabeth Hernandez ↗
11 / Frequently asked
Frequently Asked Questions About Ellacor 2.0
Questions about scars, previous treatments, skin tone, and long-term expectations deserve clear answers.
Will Ellacor leave scars?
Ellacor uses microscopic hollow needles instead of long surgical skin-removal incisions. Facial studies have reported favorable healing, but no procedure can guarantee scar-free results. Scarring, pigment changes, and skin irregularities are possible complications.
Can I have Ellacor after Botox, fillers, or other cosmetic procedures?
Possibly, but treatment timing matters. Manufacturer contraindications include certain injectable and skin procedures in the proposed area in the preceding six months and restrictions following recent facial surgery. Tell Dr. Hernandez which treatments you have had and when.
Is Ellacor appropriate for darker skin tones?
Not everyone is a candidate. The FDA-cleared facial-wrinkle indication specifies Fitzpatrick types I–IV for adults aged 22 or older. The separate fractional resurfacing indication does not establish equivalent evidence for every skin type or location. Individual assessment is necessary.
Can Ellacor be combined with other cosmetic treatments?
Sometimes a staged plan may be appropriate when different concerns require different approaches. Certain recent procedures make Ellacor inappropriate in the same treatment area, so treatment order and timing must be reviewed by Dr. Hernandez.
Are Ellacor results permanent?
Micro-Coring physically removes microscopic columns of skin, but natural aging continues. The duration of visible improvement varies by patient, area, treatment plan, and healing response. Future treatment may be considered when appropriate.
Your consultation, your decision
Is Ellacor 2.0 Right for You?
Discuss your facial wrinkles or selected body concerns with Dr. Elizabeth Hernandez in San Antonio. Learn whether Ellacor or another option matches your goals.
Request an Ellacor Consultation ↗ Eterna Cosmetic Surgery · San Antonio, Texas