Tixel Your Way To New Skin

For the past 18 years, my patients have often asked me what can be done without surgery to tighten the skin under their eyes and to improve their droopy eyelids. Previously, lasers could help, but patients were bothered by the uncomfortable metal eye shield that had to be inserted in their eyes during the laser treatment, and, more ominously, patients were worried about the potential adverse risks of the lasers which included permanent scarring and increased pigmentation around the eyes. In addition to laser, another technology called plasma pen could treat around the eyes, but the plasma pen could also cause significant scarring and hyperpigmentation.

Now, a new, innovative technology called Tiexel has arrived, and not only does it treat loose skin around the eyes, but also Tixel can treat sunspots, acne scars, melasma, rosacea, stretch marks, and loose skin and spots anywhere on the face, neck, and body with much lower risk than lasers. Tixel has recently been FDA approved in the USA and has been awarded the “Best in-Office Resurfacing Treatment for Wrinkles” for 2023 from New Beauty Magazine. We are the first clinic to bring the Tixel to Hawaii.

Thermal-Mechanical Action Technology is the key to Tixel’s skin rejuvenation treatments. This non-invasive technology combines direct heat to 81 micropoints in the Tixel’s handpiece with precisely controlled millisecond contact time on the skin. Each contact point on the skin creates tiny micro-coagulation sites which results in new collagen growth. The top layer of the skin remains intact. The result is more vibrant and youthful skin. There are no lasers, no needles, no radiation, no pain, and no significant downtime.

Common Areas of Tixel Treatments

Here are some of the conditions that you can use Tixel to treat:

Brow Lift

Open Eyes

Crows Feet

Facial Wrinkles

Loose skin

Large pores

Lip Lines

Sun Spots

Melasma

Rosacea

Neck skin & wrinkles

Chest Skin

Stretch Marks

Aftercare Instructions

Caring for your skin after your Tixel is simple. This treatment does not require as much social downtime as other skin resurfacing treatments, so you can return to your normal activity sooner. Here are the guidelines after each session:

Do not wash your face or apply makeup for the first 24 hours after your treatment.
Use fragrance-free skin moisturizer every 6 hours, cleansing your hands before each application
Avoid touching the treated areas of your skin, except to apply moisturizer as directed
Wear SPF 50 sunscreen and avoid excessive exposure to UV rays for 2 weeks to 3 months, depending on the strength of the treatment. This will help prevent the risk of hyperpigmentation after the procedure.
For 24 to 48 hours:

1. No exercise.
2. Avoid the sun.
3. Avoid hot baths and showers
4. Drink lots of water.
5. Avoid things that reduce inflammation, like ibuprofen, antihistamines, and ice.
6. Sleep with your head elevated to reduce swelling.

After 24 hours:

1. You may now use makeup and sunscreen.
2. You may resume your normal skincare routine excluding retinols, glycolic acids and vitamin C

Day 7:

1. You may resume use of retinols, vitamin C, salicylic acid and glycolic acid.
2. Do not exfoliate until your skin has healed!

Results

In comparison to Fraxel, CO2 laser, RF microneedling, etc., Tixel has low downtime.
Several treatments are needed to see visible results.
You will see:

Healthier collagen production
Skin tightening and smoothing effects
Lighter acne scars, stretch marks and melasma
Smoother skin with less visible wrinkles and fine lines

FAQ

Common Questions Answered.

How is Tixel different from an Intense Pulsed Light?

Tixel is not a light-based treatment like IPL. Instead, it utilizes heat applied directly to the skin in a controlled manner to create a superficial fractional coagulation sites. This system transfers less heat to the surrounding tissues than IPL, so it is safe to use in patients with dark skin and melasma.

How is Tixel different from microneedling and RF microneedling?

Primarily, Tixel is non-invasive, whereas microneedling treatments with and without RF are invasive. Additionally, both providers and patients report more visible tightening and wrinkle reduction with Tixel when compared to microneedling and RF microneedling. Unlike microneedling, there is no bleeding and patients report that Tixel is more comfortable, and there is no “unpleasant buzzing.” Compared to RF microneedling, patients also report that Tixel is less painful. Additionally, Tixel transfers notably less energy/heat to the surrounding tissue than RF microneedling, making Tixel safe to use with melasma patients.

How is Tixel different from a fractional ablative laser?

Tixel is not a laser. At higher settings, providers report similar results to their fractional ablative lasers. With the Tixel, the stratum corneum (the outermost layer of the skin) remains intact, making it an easier recovery with significantly less downtime. Patients have no oozing or bleeding and report significantly less swelling. Additionally, Tixel patients can apply sunscreen and makeup just 24 hours post-treatment, allowing patients to return to normal activities quickly and without visible wound healing.

What does it feel like?

Tixel is well-tolerated. Many patients can be treated without anesthetic. Topical numbing may increase patient comfort. Most patients report feeling heat at the treatment site. They occasionally report a mild sharp sensation that they describe as like microneedling, but less intense.

How many treatments does it take?

For skin rejuvenation, we recommend 3 treatments, scheduled once every 4 to 6 weeks, followed by one to two maintenance treatments within the year. If you are treating a more difficult issue, like acne scarring, or you are using lower settings, it may take more treatments.

How to prepare for your Tixel Treatment?

Avoid excessive UV exposure, including tanning beds and spay or self tanners, for 7 days before your first appointment
Avoid direct sun tanning strong enough to cause sunburn in the 1 month prior to the treatment
Avoid all other skin treatments and procedures 2 to 4 weeks prior to your treatment.
Do not take nutritional supplements or herbs that increase photosensitivity such as St. John’s Wort.
Stop low dose Accutane 7 days before your treatment. If using normal dose of Accutane, you must be off the medication for 6 months.
Avoid antihistamine and anti-inflammatory drugs one week prior to treatment. These negate the effects of the treatment.
Stop glycolic acid, retinols, Retin-A, hydroquinone or topicals that then the skin 3-5 days before your treatment.
If you are prone to cold sores (oral herpes simples), take your prescribed medication (Famvir, famcyclovir, Valtrex, valacyclovir, acyclovir) as written by your PCP in the 48 hours prior to your treatment.
Before your appointment, cleanse your skin with a gentle, fragrance-free cleanser, and do not apply any skin care products, including moisturizer or makeup. Additionally, do not wear contact lenses to your appointment.

How much downtime after Tixel treatment?

Because the outermost layer of the skin remains intact after Tixel treatment, downtime is minimal. Of course, lower settings result in less downtime than more aggressive settings. Individual responses will vary based off settings used, patient genetic factors, compliance with post-care instructions, and overall skin health. Typically, patients are advised that they may have up to 3 days of mild swelling (especially around the eyes) and roughness to their skin for 5 to 7 days. Patients may wear makeup after 24 hours, and most return to normal activity (including social interaction and work) within hours post-treatment.