Tixel Skin Rejuvenation: Benefits, Treatment and Aftercare

• Tixel is a fractional skin resurfacing and rejuvenation treatment with minimal downtime
• It addresses wrinkles, acne scars, hyperpigmentation and other skin conditions
• Though safe for all skin tones, Tixel requires extensive sun avoidance pre- and post-treatment

What is Tixel Skin Rejuvenation?

Tixel is a fractional skin treatment that uses thermo-mechanical ablation technology (TMA), a unique combination of heat and motion, to rejuvenate and resurface the skin. Tixel treats a huge range of skin concerns from wrinkles and sun damage to acne scars and stretch marks. 

It’s performed with a device tipped with 81 titanium pyramid-shaped pins arranged in a grid pattern. These titanium tips briefly heat the skin with thermal energy, creating tiny injuries. These microwounds trigger your skin’s natural healing process and encourage collagen production, eventually tightening, smoothing and improving the look and feel of your skin.

Relatively low-pain and with noticeable results after only 1–2 sessions, Tixel requires less recovery time than conventional fractional laser treatments.

Tixel Benefits

• Smooths wrinkles, including around the eyes
• Tightens skin on the face, neck and decolletage 
• Fades acne scars, age spots and melasma
• Minimal recovery time with few side effects

Are You a Good Candidate for Tixel?

Good Tixel candidates are healthy adults who wish to address skin aging or blemishes. It is safe for all skin types, including dark skin. 

Mature skin is less responsive to Tixel treatments, so it’s important to manage your expectations if you fall into that category.

Tixel treats a variety of skin concerns, including:

• Fine lines and wrinkles         
• Acne scars
• Skin laxity (looseness)                        
• Stretch marks
• Uneven skin tone                       
• Pigmentation
• Melasma
• Rosacea
• Certain keratoses

To be eligible this procedure, you must not:

• Have excessive UV exposure for 4 weeks before treatment
• Be pregnant or breastfeeding
• Have an impaired immune system
• Have tattoos, irritation or sensitive skin in the area to be treated
• Have undergone another skin procedure or taken isotretinoin in the past 3 months
• Have skin cancer, malignant sites or advanced pre-malignant lesions or moles in the treatment area

What to Expect From Your Tixel Treatment

Preparation

To prepare for a Tixel session, avoid sun tanning for 4 weeks prior to treatment. When you must go out in the sun, wear a sunscreen of SPF 50 to protect your skin.

Notify your provider of all medications you take, including supplements. If you get cold sores, you may be prescribed antiviral medication to reduce the likelihood of an outbreak.

On the day of your appointment, arrive with your skin clean of makeup, lotions or creams. The treatment area should be free of hair, so shave if necessary. If you typically wear contact lenses, please wear eyeglasses instead, as the treatment will be close to your eyes.

Procedure

At your appointment, your provider will cleanse your skin, then apply a topical numbing cream to the skin to alleviate any discomfort. 

They’ll then pass the Tixel handpiece over the skin’s surface. According to your goals, they’ll use one of three levels of treatment: full ablative, medium ablative and open channel, listed from most intensive to least.

During the procedure, you’ll feel a mild sensation of pressure and warmth; most people do not find Tixel to be painful. The process takes 20–30 minutes, depending on the size of the area. 

Afterwards, your provider will cool your skin with a disinfectant spray and apply moisturizer.

Aftercare

After a Tixel session, you may experience redness, swelling, crusting and sensitivity, especially in the periorbital region (around the eyes). The healing process typically takes 3–4 days.

Care for the treated area by following all instructions from your provider. These will include:

• Apply a fragrance-free moisturizer every 6 hours with clean hands
• Avoid touching the treated area
• Wait 24 hours to wash your face
• Do not wear makeup for 4 days after treatment
• Wait 4 days to resume your usual skin
• Avoid UV exposure and wear SPF 50 sunscreen for at least 2 weeks and up to 3 months to prevent post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation

For maximum results with minimal downtime, many providers recommend is a series of 3–5 Tixel sessions scheduled 4–6 weeks apart. Afterward, you may wish to have yearly maintenance appointments.

Takeaway

Tixel is a fractional laser skin resurfacing treatment. It involves stamping a handheld device tipped with titanium pyramids all over the treatment area to encourage collagen production and rejuvenate the skin.

Indications include fine lines and wrinkles, loose skin, acne scars, stretch marks and many more skin concerns. It’s safe for all skin tones, including dark skin.

Before and after a Tixel treatment, it is vital to protect your skin from sun exposure to avoid accidental hyperpigmentation. Common side effects include redness, swelling, crusting and sensitivity, which takes 3–4 days to heal.