Tixotropic Effect
Pronunciation: thik-soh-TROH-pik
The property of certain filler gels to become less viscous under shear stress during injection and then return to their resting consistency once placed in tissue.
Full Definition
The tixotropic (also spelled thixotropic) effect describes the behaviour of viscoelastic filler gels that temporarily decrease in viscosity when mechanical force is applied — such as during injection — and then re-solidify to their baseline gel structure once the shear force is removed. This property is clinically relevant because it affects ease of injection, the spread of product within the tissue plane, and final aesthetic outcome. Editors should be aware that both 'tixotropic' and 'thixotropic' appear in manufacturer literature; 'thixotropic' is the standard scientific spelling. Confusion with 'cohesivity' is common, though they describe different rheological properties.
Usage
Usage note: Prefer 'thixotropic' over 'tixotropic' in formal clinical and scientific documents. Verify spelling against the chosen house style.
In Context
- "The product monograph highlighted the thixotropic effect as a key advantage for precise volumisation techniques." — Product monograph
- "An understanding of the thixotropic effect is essential when editing filler rheology data in clinical manuscripts." — Journal manuscript editing