Tixel for Stretch Marks: How Thermo-Mechanical Action Remodels Skin
Stretch marks are types of scars caused by dermal tearing. They’re not surface texture problems or pigment issues, but breaks in collagen and elastin that occur when skin stretches faster than it can adapt. Lasers and microneedling can help, but they often carry risk of pigmentation or prolonged downtime. Tixel offers a different route to remodel skin safely.
How Tixel Works
Tixel uses Thermo Mechanical Action (TMA). Instead of light or needles, it relies on direct contact heat transfer through a sterile titanium tip. The tip contains 81 tiny blunt pyramids heated to about 400°C. These pyramids briefly touch the skin for a few thousandths of a second. There’s no piercing, no bleeding, and no carbonisation.
That quick contact creates tiny coagulation points in the upper dermis. The heat triggers a cascade of healing responses: fibroblast activation, new collagen and elastin formation, and tissue tightening. Because energy delivery is mechanical rather than optical, there’s no melanin absorption, so the risk of post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation is minimal.
Why It Works for Stretch Marks
Stretch marks are deep dermal injuries. They need controlled thermal injury in the right layer to rebuild collagen without harming pigment.
Tixel achieves that by controlling two variables: protrusion and pulse duration.
- Higher protrusion and longer dwell times (for example 12/600) reach deeper and remodel mature, white stretch marks.
- Lower protrusion and shorter dwell times (for example 10/400) work for newer, red stretch marks or delicate skin.
This flexibility makes it effective for both early and mature striae, with minimal downtime and a very low complication rate.
The Treatment Process
- Assessment and planning – Evaluate the type, colour, and age of stretch marks.
- Preparation – The skin is cleaned; most patients don’t need anaesthetic.
- Treatment – The handpiece presses the tip firmly against the skin in overlapping pulses. Each pulse transfers controlled heat. Full contact is crucial for even results.
- Post-treatment care – Cooling serum or barrier cream applied immediately after each zone.
Redness and warmth last 24 to 48 hours. Some fine micro-crusting may appear for three to four days. Most patients describe the feeling as a brief flash of heat rather than pain.
What Happens Under the Skin
The thermal contact denatures damaged collagen, stimulates fibroblast activity, and signals the body to rebuild new fibrillar networks. This results in thicker dermis, smoother texture, and better alignment of collagen fibres. Studies using ultrasound and histology have shown increased dermal density and improved elasticity after a series of Tixel sessions.
Comparing Tixel to Other Devices
| Technology | Mechanism | Benefits | Limitations |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Tixel (TMA) |
Contact heat transfer via 400°C titanium tip |
Safe on all skin types, minimal downtime, low PIH risk |
Limited long-term data |
|
Fractional CO₂ Laser |
Ablative microbeams |
Strong collagen stimulation |
Higher risk of pigmentation and longer recovery |
|
RF Microneedling |
Needles deliver radiofrequency heat |
Deep collagen stimulation |
More pain, bleeding, consumables |
|
Microneedling + PRP |
Mechanical microtrauma and growth factors |
Mild regeneration, underwhelming results |
|
Tixel sits between these options. It’s fractional resurfacing without light or needles, giving a balance of depth, safety, and comfort.
Combination Therapies
- Tixel + Growth Factors or Peptides or PRP/PRF or Polynucleotides: Boosts hydration and supports dermal repair.
- Tixel + Microneedling RF (staged): Alternating sessions provides both superficial and deep collagen remodelling.
How Many Sessions Are Needed
Most patients need three to six sessions spaced about four to six weeks apart. Each session builds on the previous one as new collagen matures over several months.
Visible improvements include:
- Smoother and thicker skin texture
- Fading of red or white stretch marks
- More uniform tone and elasticity
Safety and Downtime
Tixel is safe on all Fitzpatrick skin types. Because there’s no optical energy, it doesn’t rely on melanin absorption, so pigment injury is rare.
Downtime is minimal. Expect mild redness for a day or two, micro-crusting for three to four days, and mild dryness for a week. No strict sun avoidance or ocular protection is required.
Key pearls from the manufacturer’s training:
- Maintain full contact with the tip; gaps reduce efficacy.
- Use lower energy settings for darker or thinner skin.
- Rotate the wrist to follow body contours.
- Apply cooling serum immediately after each zone.
Results and What to Expect
You won’t erase stretch marks entirely, but they become softer, smoother, and less noticeable. Red striae fade faster. White striae improve in depth and texture. Skin feels firmer and better hydrated.
Improvement continues for two to three months as collagen rebuilds. Maintenance once or twice a year helps sustain results.
Clinical Evidence
Early studies and manufacturer data show:
- Increased dermal collagen and elastin fibre density after Tixel fractional TMA.
- High patient satisfaction with less downtime than fractional CO₂.
- Negligible pigmentation complications even in darker skin tones.
Although large randomised trials are limited, the histological findings and clinical outcomes align consistently across multiple small studies.
Honest Limitations
- Deep or old stretch marks won’t disappear; they’ll look less visible and blend better with surrounding skin.
- Multiple sessions are required.
- Some patients may need complementary regenerative treatments for optimal results.
- It’s not suitable during pregnancy, breastfeeding, or active infection.
Ideal Candidates
- Post-pregnancy abdominal stretch marks
- Weight-loss related striae on thighs or hips
- Growth-related stretch marks in adolescents
- Gym-induced or steroid-related marks on shoulders or arms
- Patients seeking pigment-safe resurfacing
Evidence and Expectations Summary
Evidence strength: Moderate, supported by small clinical studies and histologic analysis.
Mechanism: Fractional thermo-mechanical coagulation with collagen and elastin regeneration.
Results: Texture improvement, blending of striae, improved dermal density.
Downtime: One to three days mild erythema.
Course: Three to six sessions, four to six weeks apart.
Safety: All skin types with parameter adjustment.
Expectations: Subtle to moderate visible improvement, not full scar removal.
Final Thoughts
Tixel isn’t fairy dust. It won’t erase stretch marks, but it will rebuild damaged dermis in a controlled and safe way. For patients who can’t risk pigment complications from lasers, or who want a treatment that strengthens skin instead of hiding flaws, Tixel offers a practical, evidence-backed option.
Consultation at Dr Hans Clinics, 33 Cavendish Square, W1G 0PW, will determine the correct parameters and treatment plan for your skin type and stretch mark stage.
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