Most skin tightening treatments work by heating the skin or stimulating collagen from below. ellacor® does something entirely different. It physically removes tiny micro-cores of skin using hollow needles – so small that your skin naturally closes around them, with no visible scarring. The result is genuinely tighter, smoother skin in the mid and lower face, without surgery and without heat.
ellacor® is FDA-cleared for adults with Fitzpatrick skin types I through IV who want to address moderate to severe wrinkles in the mid and lower face. It sits in a category of its own – more than a traditional aesthetic treatment, less than a surgical procedure. For patients who are noticing real laxity but aren’t ready for a facelift, it’s often the option they’ve been looking for.
Marisa Badanjek, FNP-C is one of a small number of providers in Michigan trained and certified to perform ellacor®. She completed her training in February 2026 with advanced instruction in Puerto Rico.
Results may vary. The ellacor® System with Micro-Coring Technology is indicated for the treatment of moderate and severe wrinkles in the mid and lower face in adults aged 22 years or older with Fitzpatrick skin types I–IV.
The device moves precisely across the treatment area, using hollow needles to remove full-thickness micro-cores of skin. Because no heat is involved, there is no risk of thermal injury - which is one of the things that sets this technology apart from laser and radiofrequency treatments. Once those tiny cores are removed, your skin naturally pulls together to close the gaps. That natural reapproximation is what creates the tightening effect. Over the following weeks and months, as your skin heals and remodels, improvement continues to build. The procedure is performed under local anesthesia, so you stay comfortable throughout. The ellacor® portion of the treatment itself takes approximately 45 minutes.
ellacor® works well for patients who are noticing mild to moderate skin laxity in the jawline, lower cheeks, laugh lines, or upper lip area - and who want a meaningful improvement without surgery. It may also be used to extend or maintain the results of a previous facelift. ellacor® is appropriate for Fitzpatrick skin types I through IV. It is not recommended for patients who are pregnant, nursing, have a history of keloids, or have certain autoimmune or bleeding conditions. A consultation with Marisa will determine whether you are a good candidate based on your skin, your health history, and your goals.
Consultation: Your first appointment is a thorough review of your skin, your goals, and your medical history. Marisa evaluates whether ellacor® is the right fit for your anatomy and expectations, and explains exactly how the treatment will work for your specific concerns.
Procedure Day: Plan for your appointment to last up to two hours. Come with clean skin – no makeup, lotions, or skincare products on the treatment area. Wear comfortable clothing, ideally a casual top without a collar. The treatment area is numbed with local anesthesia before the procedure begins, and the ellacor® portion takes approximately 45 minutes.
Healing: Immediately after treatment, the skin will appear red and may feel tender – similar to a mild sunburn. Most of this settles within a few days. You will follow a gentle aftercare protocol for the first week: mild cleanser twice daily, a thin film of healing ointment, and sun protection once the skin has healed. Avoid strenuous exercise, saunas, and hot tubs for seven days. Makeup can be applied 3 days after the treatment.
Results: Initial improvement can often be noticed as early as one month after treatment, with continued enhancement developing over the following six months as your skin remodels. Many patients see their best results after two sessions, typically spaced about three months apart. Results may vary.
Marisa Badanjek, FNP-C is an ellacor® trainer who instructs other medical professionals on the technology. After seeing the results ellacor can produce across a range of treatment areas, including the abdomen, upper knees, and arms, she brought the device into her own practice. She is among a small group of ellacor providers in Michigan.
Her approach to ellacor is the same as her approach to every treatment: understand your anatomy first, set realistic expectations, and create a plan that works with your skin rather than against it. If ellacor® is a good fit for you, she will tell you why. If it is not, she will tell you that too.
ellacor® is FDA-cleared for the mid and lower face, including laugh lines, lower cheek wrinkles, upper lip lines, and mild to moderate jawline laxity. During your consultation, Marisa will assess your specific areas of concern and determine whether ellacor® is the right approach.
ellacor® is used on the lower face and neck, and also on the body, including the abdomen, upper knees, arms, and inner thighs. Anywhere there is skin laxity may be a candidate. Marisa will assess your specific areas of concern during your consultation.
ellacor® physically removes micro-cores of skin using hollow needles – no heat is involved at any point in the procedure. Traditional energy-based treatments like lasers and RF work by stimulating collagen through heat energy. Because ellacor® removes actual tissue and the skin closes naturally around the treated areas, the mechanism and the outcome are genuinely different.
The treatment area is numbed with local anesthesia before the procedure begins, so most patients are comfortable throughout. Some mild tenderness in the days following is normal as the skin heals.
Many patients achieve their goals with one to two sessions, typically spaced approximately three months apart. Your specific plan will depend on your skin, the degree of laxity, and how you respond to the first treatment. Marisa will outline a realistic timeline during your consultation.
Most patients experience redness and mild swelling for several days after treatment. You can typically return to normal activities within a few days, though we recommend avoiding strenuous exercise, saunas, and sun exposure for one week. Plan a buffer before any important events.
ellacor® is cleared for Fitzpatrick skin types I through IV. If you have a darker skin tone, Marisa will discuss whether ellacor® is appropriate for you or whether a different approach may be better suited to your skin.
Pricing is determined during your consultation based on the areas being treated and the number of sessions recommended. We accept private pay, cash, credit cards, Cherry Financing, and Venmo. We are happy to discuss options at your appointment.
Schedule a consultation with Marisa Badanjek, FNP-C to discuss your goals and find out whether ellacor® is a good fit for your skin.
Private pay · Cash · Credit cards · Cherry financing · Venmo
