Kindly gifted, but honestly reviewed. *Disclaimer: This is not a paid review. The treatments were provided, though the review thereof is based on the author’s experience and opinion. Reviews published on Aesthetic Appointment are intended to be for information purposes only, and should not be regarded as a replacement for sound medical advice. Always speak to your doctor or skincare therapist if you have any concerns.*

Paola Chellew goes neck deep into anti-ageing with the Tixel® treatment – an effective, non-invasive approach to address the signs of skin ageing.

At age 64, I’m pretty pleased with how my skin looks, thanks to investing in collagen boosting treatments as well as having a dedicated, simple skincare routine that includes retinol. However, one has to be realistic when it comes to genetics, skin ageing, and my least favourite force: gravity.

A very strong platysma muscle (which covers most of the neck), a highly expressive face, and maybe some anxiety and stress… all these factors have contributed to my very visible neck, or platysmal bands. Remember that as we age, the skin becomes thinner and therefore these bands become more prominent.

So, I thought I would take one on the chin (or neck) for all the neck-band candidates who might want to improve the appearance of their necks. That’s why I went on a quest for the best tightening treatment to give you and your neck bands a lifting boost…

I was fortunate enough to undergo a Tixel® treatment at the hands of Jo Staniforth, the owner of renowned medical equipment distributor Medi Aesthetic Solutions. The company specialises in anti-ageing devices such as the Tixel® machine.

2 tixel review for the neck paola chellew

3 tixel review for the neck paola chellew

How the treatment works

The device features a heated plate with 81 tiny pinhead pyramids that touch the skin for a fraction of a second in a grid-like pattern. This delivers heat without damaging the skin, creating micro-channels that stimulate your body to produce collagen to rejuvenate and tighten the skin.

With many years of experience behind her, I knew I was in good hands, so I was completely at ease. A numbing cream was gently massaged over my neck, as the treatment is a little uncomfortable – there’s a bit of a stinging sensation, but it’s perfectly bearable and over before you know it.

Jo applied an exosome solution on the skin straight away, as the channels along the skin’s top layer remain open, allowing for greater penetration of the product into the skin. This quickens the healing process.

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6 tixel review for the neck paola chellew

What to expect after treatment

I was a “redneck” for a few hours, sporting a seriously sunburnt look, which is not particularly aesthetic, but my silk scarf provided a quick and easy remedy. The redness dissipated overnight. The Isispharma Secalia Balm, a soothing lipid restoring cream given to me after treatment, was extremely effective in reducing the redness. I alternated this with Isispharma Suavigel.

By Day 3, my skin felt quite rough to the touch, and minuscule darker spots had appeared on the surface, but these weren’t particularly noticeable once I put on my tinted sunscreen. Jo advised to keep the area as hydrated as possible, and this really helped the healing process.

Within a week, I was back to normal.

So far, I have had three treatments done and have noticed that my skin is tighter and has a beautiful texture.

As my vertical bands are quite strong, a course of botulinum toxin injected superficially in the bands has added to the lift and enhanced the Tixel® treatment further.

Obviously, a conjunction of diverse treatments is ideal, but it’s entirely budget-dependent, so I would recommend starting with a Tixel® treatment, as it’s by far the most affordable and offers pleasing results! Just make sure your provider is using a genuine Tixel® device, as counterfeit machines are alarmingly rife.

The Advantages of Tixel® Treatment

Other resurfacing and tightening treatments are more painful and have a longer downtime.
Tixel® treatment has less visible damage than fractional CO₂ laser.
By the next day, you can use a tinted moisturiser or sunscreen.
A strong alternative to injections.
Tixel® is effective for pigmentation, skin texture, laxity and general skin rejuvenation.

For more information on finding a provider near you or to become one, visit www.masolutions.co.za

Paola Chellew

paola@aestheticappointment.co.za

Paola Chellew is a freelance journalist and regularly writes for a number of publications. A former professional contemporary dancer, she has always loved the arts in all their forms. She has been a freelance writer for many years and has been published in various magazines including Live Out Loud, Private Life and Do It now magazines. Her passion for beauty and skincare started in her teens, when she would read every beauty editor’s picks and reviews. Serious about skincare, she has researched medical-grade products for over ten years, as well as aesthetic treatments to restore and repair skin to look its best. Having turned 60 last year, she has dedicated her blog to the “over 50s and beyond Club”, shining a spotlight on a generation that is seemingly side-lined by the beauty industry. “There is no age limit for when you stop being beautiful – a gorgeous lipstick, a sexy fragrance, radiant skin- these are not synonymous with youth- they are just things that add an extra sparkle to my day”.

📸 Profile photo credited to Lerissa Kemp Photography