Skin rejuvenation is assisted by so many different treatment modalities such as Fractional Laser, CO2 laser, IPL, Q-Switch Yag, Radio Frequency Needlin and Skin Needling to name just a few. And then there is Tixel®.
Tixel® is not a laser, but an ablative (removing the top layer of skin) and non-ablative fractional skin treatment that will rejuvenate skin by stimulating new collagen to improve skin quality and will also target and treat acne and scarring.
Tixel® uses thermo-mechanical (heat) energy to evaporate tiny channels in the skin. This technology uses a titanium tip which is heated to 400 degrees celsius. The small and large tips contain tiny pyramids that pass over the skin, delivering short bursts of heat energy directly to the skin. This heat energy will firm the skin and refine the texture.
Tixel® can be used on all skin types, including those with a darker skin tone and hyperpigmentation. The energy settings can be reduced depending on your Fitzpatrick skin type, meaning the darker the skin the lower the setting, which in turn will mean a few more treatments.
From addressing fine lines and wrinkles to improving skin texture and tone, to treating active acne and scarring, the Tixel® offers extremely versatile solutions to a myriad of aesthetic concerns. When treating acne, the Tixel® can treat both active clusters of acne and acne scarring. When treating active acne, the heat assists with slowing the sebaceous oil flow and reducing infection. The temperature and the treatment for this particular procedure (treating the active acne) can be a little “spicey” but can be a positive alternative to medications in some cases. Depending on the severity of the acne, 3-4 treatments may be required, spaced about 2 weeks apart.
When treating acne scarring, again, depending on the severity of the scar tissue, a few treatments about 4 weeks apart will be required and must be combined with a clinical home care programme for optimum results.
The Tixel® treatment can also provide a rejuvenation technique by infusing active serums into the skin. Thousands of tiny microchannels are created and stay open for roughly 6 hours. During this time a take-home cocktail of customised serums is massaged into the skin every hour. This procedure is one of my all-time favourite treatments in the Clinic, without downtime. The skin may be superficially dry for a day or two post-treatment and then the skin glows and is well on its way to a more refined appearance. Everything from rosacea to hyperpigmentation can be treated easily. The rosacea has a redness-reducing cocktail massaged into the area and within a few days has begun to reduce in intensity.
Hyperpigmentation has tranexamic acid massaged in to reduce the discolouration of the skin. The infusion treatment has no downtime and no pain, just a radiant complexion.
The Tixel® treatment can treat any area of the body, face, neck, chest, back of hands and eye area. When the ablative settings are used, expect slight crusting for 4-5 days, along with dryness and a light pink colour kissing the skin. There is no peeling or blistering.
The eye area, both upper and lower areas, achieves a truly amazing result. Tixel® is often used with surgical blepharoplasty to refine the texture of the skin in this area. As the Tixel® is not a laser, the skin can be treated close to the lash line and the brow area.
With any Tixel® treatment, some people will see a result after 1 treatment, while others will require 3-5 sessions. The best results will be seen 4-5 weeks post-treatment.
Tixel® can be customised for the individual. When you are seeking a smoother, more revitalised complexion, Tixel® is definitely a treatment worth considering with less downtime than most lasers and clients with dry eye have reported experiencing improvement with this condition after a Tixel® Treatment.
