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Laserway owner Natalie Kanaar says that shedding the signs of ageing need not be an unattainable fantasy. She tells Emily Moore how it can be achieved and why this is the perfect time of year to carry out the treatment
AS a new year demonstrates the inexorable march of time, it may seem slightly counter-intuitive to be thinking about turning back the clock.
But, with the excesses of the festive season now behind us, many Islanders are likely to be wishing, slightly wistfully, that they could breathe new life into not just their fitness workouts but also their beauty regimes.
And while a new exercise programme might help to shift a few pounds from around the waist, shedding the signs of ageing from the face, neck, décolletage and hands may seem less achievable.
But, as Laserway business owner and clinician Natalie Kanaar says, this does not have to be an unattainable fantasy.
Having conducted extensive research and attended an advanced training session with Dr Harryono Judodihardjo, voted Tatler Best Dermatologist 2019, Natalie added Tixel – an anti-ageing rejuvenation treatment – to the clinic’s list of services.
Exclusive to Laserway in Jersey, Natalie says that, with many people looking forward to a quieter few weeks after the seasonal celebrations, this is the ideal time to undergo this treatment and “turn back the clock”.
“We are really excited to be able to offer Tixel to Islanders,” she said. “This is the closest you can get to an ablative skin-resurfacing treatment without actually being ablative or bringing any of the side-effects that you might associate with such a therapy.
“Tixel addresses everything from fine lines and wrinkles to sun-damaged skin and pigmentation, enlarged pores, rosacea and acne scarring. It offers a holistic solution very effectively and safely.”
Acknowledging that many people approached laser treatments with a degree of apprehension, Natalie said that Tixel’s safety credentials, combined with Laserway’s approach and expertise, helped to ease any anxiety.
“People are often apprehensive, particularly when it comes to facial treatments, but we always offer free consultations, which include a small test patch to enable Islanders to understand the procedure,” she said. “With the test patch, they can see how their skin reacts and gauge how long the healing process will take.”
The procedure itself, she explains, is tailored to each person’s specific skin concerns, skin type and how much “downtime” they are able to have.
“It’s not a laser treatment but a system of pure heat using a titanium grid with tiny pyramids, which make brief contact with the skin, allowing heat transfer in a controlled manner, causing the skin to rejuvenate and tighten over time,” she said.
“While there is some discomfort during the process, and for up to an hour afterwards, this is similar to the feeling of sunburn and is purely because of the build-up of heat. As soon as the heat dissipates, the discomfort disappears. The downtime lasts between two and five days, depending on the level of treatment intensity, but it is not to the extent that people are unable to go out as, after the third day, people can apply make-up to conceal the small reddish/brown microcrusts, which will be fully healed within the week.”
Another benefit of Tixel, says Natalie, is that the results are “almost immediately visible”.
“You will see the improved skin tone and texture almost straight away, while the tightening aspect will become apparent within the suggested course of four treatments and will continue to improve for several months afterwards, with results lasting several years,” she said.
Because the procedure makes the skin more sensitive to sun, Natalie explains that the team do not carry out the treatment between June and September and they also advise clients to avoid exposure to the sun for four weeks on either side of the treatment.
With Tixel offering both anti-ageing and preventative benefits, Natalie says that it is suitable for anyone aged 30 upwards.
“Tixel is ideal for those who are self-conscious about any aspect of their skin,” she said. “It is perfect for those seeking smoother, tighter, more radiant and rejuvenated skin. If you are more confident in how you look, you are likely to feel better as well.”
