What is Tixel?
Tixel is a novel non-ablative and ablative fractional skin treatment that targets acne and rejuvenates skin by stimulating new collagen to improve skin quality. It’s a new skin tightening and contouring procedure designed to safely treat facial acne and acne scarring.
Tixel is not not a laser. Instead, it utilizes thermo-mechanical energy to evaporate tiny channels into the skin. This stimulates new collagen formation to improve skin quality. This technology features a bio-compatible, sterile titanium tip which is heated to 400°C. The tip is approximately 1 centimeter square, containing 9 columns and 9 rows of tiny pyramids (totalling 81). This stimulates your skin’s healing factors to rejuvenate acne and old acne scarring. Additionally, Tixel can also be used to create pores for the absorption of skincare products into a deeper layer of the skin.
Tixel can be used on all skin types, including those with hyperpigmentation and darker skin tones. The treatment is adjustable, so energy settings can be reduced depending on your skin tone. However, being able to reduce the energy settings means that more treatments may be required.
How Does Tixel Work?
We all experience shifts in hormone levels as we age. Additionally, diet and blocked pores can contribute to the appearance of acne. Tixel is designed to reduce skin blemishes, acne scars and tighten pores while prompting the skin to develop new collagen. The technology features both ablative (removing the top layer of the skin) and non-ablative options, used to resurface the skin, reducing scarring (especially acne scarring).
Tixel’s thermo-mechanical energy technology uses a small heated metal plate of multiple tiny heated cones that passes over the face and neck. These metallic plates with spikes stamp onto the skin, delivering short bursts of heat energy directly to the skin’s surface. This stimulates collagen production, which in turn tightens the skin, without damaging deeper skin tissues, improving the appearance of acne clusters and existing scarring.
How Is Tixel Different From Acne Laser Treatment?
Laser technology is based on light. The light from the lasers interacts with the skin, causing restorative effects by heating the skin. In contrast, Tixel is based on heat, transferring heat directly to the skin itself with its patented titanium tips. This technology has results that are similar to CO2 lasers in return, but takes significantly less downtime.
- Tixel is a comfortable, non-invasive treatment that rejuvenates the skin using pure heat energy.
- Tixel does not cause the same amount of damage to the internal layers of the skin as lasers.
- Patients require less downtime with Tixel skin rejuvenation.
How Tixel Treats Acne
Tixel resurfaces the skin by both ablative and non-ablative options of treatment. This is an exfoliative removal of the top layer of skin, producing an even skin tone, reducing pigmentation and other blemishes, revealing younger, fresher skin cells. Both active acne and scarring from old acne respond very well to Tixel.
Why is Tixel Different From Other Acne Treatments?
Tixel offers results that are comparable to deep skin peels and intensive laser treatments that can be used for multiple body areas and skin types with less pain, much faster recovery times, and best of all, much less downtime. The Tixel provides a comfortable (if your skin is more sensitive, ask about our anesthetic creams), safe, and effective treatment that is non-invasive with minimal downtime and side effects. There is no smoke, carbonization or fumes. Patients report noticeable, vibrant results within a few days after treatment.
Tixel is used to tighten skin, improve appearance and helps to create pores for the absorption of skin products. Your Ava MD specialist can go over products that your specific skincare routine may benefit from after Tixel treatment to help induce further changes in the skin.
Tixel and Skin Rejuvenation
Tixel takes a new approach to skin rejuvenation. It’s the only fractional skin resurfacing device of its kind to transfer thermal energy directly to skin via conduction (the most effective form of heat transfer). This technology utilizes thermo-mechanical energy to evaporate tiny channels into the skin. This stimulates new collagen formation to improve skin quality.
Thus, Tixel is ideal for those seeking smoother, revitalized skin, with less downtime. Radiant looking skin doesn’t need to be a costly timesink.
What Else Does Tixel Treat?
Under the care of your Ava MD specialist, you can use Tixel to develop a targeted plan to improve the overall skin tone and texture. The versatility of Tixel allows treatment to be tailored to each customer’s individual needs.
Tixel skin resurfacing can also improve wrinkles and fine lines, rosacea, stretch marks, and hyperpigmentation. Tixel can also be used in the enhanced delivery of topical products through the skin to improve results in treating skin conditions such as Melasma.
Additionally, Tixel is a great option for rejuvenation not only on the face but also the neck, chest, and backs of hands. Your Ava MD specialist will determine using Tixel as a skin resurfacing treatment is right for you.
What to Expect from Your Tixel Session
Please arrive at your appointment without wearing any make-up. Your skin will be thoroughly cleansed by your Ava MD specialist. Treatment takes between 30-90 minutes depending on the size of the area which is treated. An anesthetic cream may be applied to the face for twenty minutes to minimize discomfort. Once the skin is adequately numbed, treatment can take place.
Several shots from the Tixel plate, each lasting a fraction of a second, are placed in a row so as to cover evenly the whole area being treated. A tiny sting may be felt with each shot. Patients should expect to feel a hot, almost sunburnt feeling for a couple of hours after Tixel treatment.
Because Tixel is not a laser device, there is no need to use protective eyewear for the patient or operator. Additionally, your Ava MD specialist can target acne, even very close to the eyelashes, without causing injury to the eyes.
Additionally, patients can expect:
- Redness that will last for a few days.
- Expect some small scabbing that will clear after 4-5 days.
- Patients should not expect any peeling or blistering.
Results
Some patients can expect to see a difference after 1 treatment, but we recommend a course of 3-5 sessions for optimal results. Best results can be seen 4-6 weeks after treatment. Patients will need to refrain from actively tanning for 3 weeks prior to treatment. Patients will also require strong sun protection for 3 weeks following treatment. Your Ava MD specialist will work with you closely to determine the best skincare routine for you.
Contact Us
To learn more about what Tixel and our providers can do to improve the appearance of your skin, call Ava MD at 310-828-2282 (Santa Monica) to schedule a consultation today!