Tixel ® skin rejuvenation
Tixel ® is a skin treatment that involves gently stamping a heated metallic plate with pyramid-shaped spikes on to the skin. It is not a laser, but instead it utilises thermo-mechanical energy to evaporate tiny channels into the skin.
This stimulates new collagen formation to improve skin quality. The channels formed can be immediately used to deliver products into the skin such as tretinoin (vitamin A) or lightening agents to treat pigmentation concerns such as melasma or dark undereye circles.
Face, eyelids, neck, décolletage, hands
Course of 3 treatments spaced 1 month apart. Results seen within 2 weeks but continues to improve for 3-6 months.
from $340
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Two different treatment types
Meso-Tixel® – this is a superficial treatment that opens up channels in the skin to allow direct delivery of active ingredients to the dermis. There is minimal downtime and no anaesthesia is required. The channels remain open for 6 hours and it is important that you strictly follow the aftercare instructions and refrain from applying any additional products to your skin during this time.
Ablative-Tixel® – this is a deeper treatment that is used for rejuvenation and treatment of fine lines/wrinkles and scarring. There is generally a few days of downtime and we may use topical anaesthetic cream prior to your treatment.
FAQs about Tixel ®
How does Tixel® work?
This device is not a laser, but instead it ultilises thermo-mechanical energy to evaporate tiny channels into the skin. A small 1 cm square Titanium plate that consists of a matrix of 81 tiny pyramid-shaped pins is gently applied to the skin’s surface in a stamping pattern. The pins deliver thermal energy at very high temperature (400 degrees Celsius) in brief, precisely controlled millisecond pulses.
The high temperature heat that is transferred into the skin results in the controlled formation of tiny micropores in the upper layers of the skin because of water evaporation. The micropores not only stimulate a collagen response which improves skin quality, but they provide channels for the enhanced absorption of topical products applied to the skins surface.
The micropores that are formed are surrounded by untreated skin, making this a “fractional” treatment – i.e. only a fraction of the skin is affected with each treatment. Fractional treatments minimise skin reaction and complications, whilst allowing improved healing times compared to treating all the skin at once.
How is Tixel® different to laser?
Tixel ® produces similar injuries and results to fractional CO2 lasers, although with no char or debris on the skin and with relatively less downtime. A series of Tixel® treatments are expected to achieve a similar result to a that possible with a CO2 laser.
Unlike CO2 lasers, there is no danger to the eye with Tixel®, and so the treatment can be performed right up to the lash line.
What are the potential side effects of Tixel®?
Side effects of the treatment include but are not limited to: skin redness, a mild burning/stinging sensation, small skin crusting, mild swelling, transient or permanent pigmentation changes (paler or darker areas) to the skin colour, infection and scarring (very rare).
Treatment on the face may cause the reappearance of cold sores and it is important that you let us know if you have ever experienced a cold sore in the past.
What is the downtime after Tixel treatment?
Each treatment is personalised depending upon the desired result and the amount of downtime that is acceptable. Please ensure you have fully discussed this with us prior to starting treatment.
For Meso-Tixel®, there is minimal downtime. The skin will appear slightly red and can feel warm immediately after the treatment. You can usually put makeup on after 24hrs.
Ablative-Tixel® is a deeper treatment and so there is likely to be a few days of redness, some mild swelling and tiny crusts on the skin. It is usually at least 48hrs before you can wear makeup, at which point the skin is still healing.
In order to achieve the best outcome and minimise any potential side effects, it is important that you follow all the aftercare instructions given to you at the time of your appointment.
If Tixel® is so hot, why is it not painful?
When the device touches the surface of the skin, the pins are 400 degrees Celsius. However, since this is Thermo-Mechanical energy, as the heat moves away from the surface of the skin, it quickly drops to 50 degrees at a depth of 100 microns (which is 0.10 mm). The pain receptors in the skin are at about 50 microns so pain levels are relatively low compared to ablative lasers which cause heat to be transferred to deeper skin levels.
How many treatments of Tixel® are needed?
Tixel® is generally performed as a course of treatments rather than a single treatment. We usually recommend a course of 3 treatments spaced around 1 month apart and then a follow up treatment after 6-12 months.
How much does Tixel® cost?
The cost for the treatment varies depending upon the number of pulses used, so whilst a full face treatment is $620/treatment, a localised eye treatment is $340. If a face treatment is combined with a neck treatment the cost is $845. Packages of 4 sessions are available at a reduced rate. You can find our full price list here.
How do I organise a Tixel® treatment?
The first step is to organise an initial consultation with one of our Dermal Therapists, to discuss your relevant medical history, treatment goals, expectations, and acceptable downtime. We shall then custom-design and schedule your treatment.
