Aesthetic dermatology · London
Tixel skin resurfacing, heat without a laser.
A thermomechanical alternative to fractional laser and RF microneedling. Safer in Fitzpatrick IV to VI, gentle enough for the lash line and lipstick lines, with three to seven days of downtime.
Why patients choose us
- 01
A Tixel-certified practitioner, not a general aesthetics list
A named clinician trained on the Novoxel Tixel device, working in a CQC-registered clinic with a medical director on site.
- 02
The right modality for your skin type
Tixel is thermomechanical, so it suits Fitzpatrick IV to VI where laser-based resurfacing carries higher pigment risk. We advise honestly if Fraxel, RF microneedling or a peel would serve you better.
- 03
Independent, and free
We are paid by no clinic, so the recommendation is impartial and costs you nothing.
Indicative pricing
What private Tixel costs in London.
Indicative ranges across our short list of Tixel-certified London providers. Send a photo and we quote firm figures.
In short
A full-face Tixel session in our London network: £450 to £850, home the same hour.
| Treatment | Indicative range | Typical duration | Turnaround |
|---|---|---|---|
| Consultation and patch test | £75-£150 | 30 min | Same visit |
| Small area (peri-orbital or peri-oral) | £280-£450 | 15-20 min | Same day |
| Full face | £450-£850 | 20-30 min | Same day |
| Face and neck | £850-£1,600 | 30-45 min | Same day |
| Course of 3 sessions (face) | £1,200-£2,400 | Across 12 weeks | Package |
| Upper eyelid tightening (non-surgical) | £350-£600 | 15-20 min | Same day |
The journey
From enquiry to your course, step by step.
One team from your first message through consultation, patch test and every session in your course.
- 01
Before
You send us a photo and a short brief
A confidential form: the concern (peri-orbital lines, lipstick lines, lax upper lids), your Fitzpatrick skin type, and any prior treatments.
- 02
Before
We come back with a recommendation
Within one working day: whether Tixel fits, how many sessions, and an indicative price across two London providers.
- 03
Before
Consultation and patch test
A face-to-face consultation, medical screen, and small patch test at your selected clinic before the first full session.
- 04
On the day
Session at the clinic
15 to 30 minutes on the treatment couch. No numbing for mild settings; topical anaesthetic for deeper protocols on lids or peri-oral area.
- 05
On the day
The Tixel pulse itself
A heated titanium tip at around 400 degrees Celsius briefly contacts the skin through a matrix of tiny pyramids, transferring heat only. No laser light, no radio-frequency current.
- 06
On the day
Home the same day
A cooling gel, mineral SPF and written aftercare. You leave under your own steam. Mild pink flush for a few hours.
- 07
After
Downtime and review
Three to seven days of sandpaper texture and light peeling. A review at four to six weeks, then session two if planned. Course of 2 to 4 sessions.
When it helps
What Tixel treats well.
The concerns Tixel handles particularly well, and the skin types it protects.
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Peri-orbital fine lines and crow’s feet
Fine crepey lines around the eyes where laser resurfacing feels too aggressive. Tixel treats right up to the lash line.
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Upper and lower eyelid tightening
A non-surgical option for mild lid laxity and hooding, in patients not ready for blepharoplasty.
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Peri-oral vertical lines (lipstick lines)
Vertical lines above the upper lip that bleed lipstick, softened over 2 to 3 sessions.
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Mild to moderate photoageing
Sun-damaged skin with dullness, texture and early laxity across the cheeks and forehead.
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Mild acne scarring
Shallow rolling and boxcar scars, particularly on the cheeks. Deep ice-pick scars need TCA cross or subcision.
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Dyschromia and mild pigmentation
Uneven tone and post-inflammatory pigmentation, treated at conservative settings in darker skin types.
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Stretch marks (striae)
Mature white stretch marks on abdomen, thighs or breasts, softened over a course.
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Fitzpatrick IV to VI
Safer than laser resurfacing in darker skin because heat is transferred mechanically, not selectively absorbed by melanin.
How it compares
Tixel next to laser, RF and peels.
The straight comparison. Choose by concern and skin type, not by what a clinic happens to own.
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Tixel (thermomechanical)
A heated titanium tip at 400 degrees Celsius, matrix of tiny pyramids, controlled micro-injuries by heat transfer only. Safer in Fitzpatrick IV to VI, treats right up to the lash line, 3 to 7 days downtime.
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Fraxel non-ablative laser
Laser-based fractional resurfacing, deeper dermal penetration than Tixel, stronger result on deeper scars, but higher post-inflammatory pigmentation risk in Fitzpatrick V and VI.
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RF microneedling (Morpheus8, Sylfirm, Secret)
Insulated needles deliver radio-frequency energy into the dermis. More invasive than Tixel, better for deeper laxity and scars, longer downtime.
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Chemical peel (TCA, glycolic)
Chemical rather than thermal injury. Cheaper per session, but less controlled depth and higher pigmentation risk in darker skin than Tixel.
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IPL photofacial
Broadband light for pigment and vessels rather than texture. Complementary to Tixel, not a substitute for it.
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Upper eyelid blepharoplasty
A surgical option for significant upper-lid hooding where Tixel tightening will not be enough. Weeks of recovery, longer-lasting result.
Our vetted London network
A short panel of Tixel-certified clinics.
Cadogan Clinic, EF MEDISPA, Waterhouse Young, PHI Clinic, Skinesis and Cranley Clinic all run Tixel with certified operators. Introductions are made privately once we understand your concern and skin type.
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Tixel-certified practitioners trained on the Novoxel device
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CQC-registered clinics with a medical director on site
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Fitzpatrick-appropriate protocols, with patch testing in skin types IV to VI
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Clear consent, written aftercare and a named contact for post-treatment concerns
Safety and recovery
What to expect afterwards.
The things worth planning: your downtime, sun protection, and the retinoid pause either side of each session.
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No numbing for mild settings
Most patients tolerate mild Tixel settings with no anaesthetic. Topical LA is used for aggressive protocols on lids or peri-oral skin.
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Downtime of 3 to 7 days
Sandpaper texture for the first 48 hours, then fine peeling over 3 to 7 days. Cover with mineral SPF and gentle moisturiser.
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2 to 4 sessions, 4 to 6 weeks apart
A course is planned by concern and skin type. Peri-orbital work usually needs 3 sessions.
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Safer in Fitzpatrick IV to VI
Heat is transferred mechanically rather than absorbed by melanin, so post-inflammatory pigmentation is less likely than with fractional laser.
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Not for active skin infection or open acne
Cold sores, active eczema, retinoid irritation or an open acne flare should settle first. A one-week retinoid pause is usual.
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Avoid sun and self-tan for two weeks
Both before and after each session, to keep the pigmentation risk low. A mineral SPF 50 is used daily during the course.
Reading your treatment notes
Your Tixel notes in four parts.
Whichever clinic you attend, the notes we help you file keep to the same shape.
- 01 Assessment
Skin type, concerns and settings
Your Fitzpatrick type, the target areas, and the Tixel protocol chosen (protrusion, dwell time and number of passes).
- 02 Session
What was treated and how
The exact areas covered on the day, any topical anaesthetic used, and immediate skin response.
- 03 Aftercare
Downtime and product plan
Cooling, moisturiser, mineral SPF, retinoid pause, and when to resume active skincare.
- 04 Plan
Next session and review interval
Read this first: your next appointment, expected result timeline, and when to escalate a concern.
Ready to start
Send us a photo and your skin type. We come back within a working day.
A quiet, second-opinion introduction to the right Tixel-certified clinic for your concern. Free. Impartial. British-Council-of-Aesthetic-Medicine-standards throughout.
Tixel-certified clinics in our London network
Tixel is an aesthetic (self-pay) treatment. Health insurance does not usually cover it.
Frequently asked
Everything we get asked about Tixel.
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What is Tixel skin resurfacing?
Tixel is a thermomechanical fractional resurfacing device made by Novoxel. A heated titanium tip at around 400 degrees Celsius, arranged as a matrix of tiny pyramids, briefly contacts the skin and transfers heat only. There is no laser light and no radio-frequency current, so the risk profile differs from Fraxel or Morpheus8.
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Is Tixel safe for darker skin (Fitzpatrick IV to VI)?
Yes, and this is one of its main advantages. Because heat is transferred mechanically rather than absorbed selectively by melanin, the risk of post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation is lower than with laser-based resurfacing. A patch test at conservative settings is still standard in darker skin types.
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How much does Tixel cost in London?
Roughly £280 to £450 per session for a small area such as peri-orbital or peri-oral skin, £450 to £850 for a full face, and £850 to £1,600 for face and neck. A course of three sessions is usually £1,200 to £2,400. Consultation and patch test £75 to £150.
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How much downtime should I expect?
Three to seven days. The skin feels like sandpaper for the first 48 hours, then peels lightly. Most patients return to work within a day or two using a mineral SPF and light foundation. Aggressive protocols on lids can add a couple of extra days.
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How many sessions will I need?
Usually 2 to 4 sessions, spaced 4 to 6 weeks apart, then a maintenance session once or twice a year. Peri-orbital work and lipstick lines typically need three sessions to reach a good result.
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Tixel or Fraxel: which should I choose?
Tixel is safer near the eyes and in Fitzpatrick IV to VI skin, and has shorter downtime. Fraxel penetrates deeper and can outperform Tixel on established acne scars in lighter skin. We match the modality to your skin type and the concern, rather than to what a clinic happens to own.
Related treatments
Looking at other resurfacing options?
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Fraxel laser resurfacing
Non-ablative fractional laser, deeper dermal reach.
Learn more -
Chemical peel
Glycolic, salicylic and TCA peels for tone and texture.
Learn more -
RF microneedling (Sylfirm, Secret)
Insulated-needle radio-frequency for laxity and scars.
Learn more -
Morpheus8 RF microneedling
Bipolar RF microneedling for deeper remodelling.
Learn more -
IPL photofacial
Broadband light for pigment, redness and vessels.
Learn more -
Upper eyelid blepharoplasty
Surgical option for significant upper-lid hooding.
Learn more