Removal of Xanthelasma

Xanthelasma are accumulations of fat (lipids) in the upper or lower eyelid area that affect the aesthetic appearance of the eyelids, though they are basically painless and harmless. Their occurrence can be associated with increased levels of fat (cholesterol and triglycerides) in the blood or with liver disease. It is important to know that these changes do not appear or disappear spontaneously, but grow gradually. The only treatment option for the patient is their removal by laser or surgery. The primary motivation for such an intervention is aesthetic.

If the xanthelasma are small, the scar left after their removal is inconspicuous. In these cases, surgery an outpatient one, with or without local anaesthesia, depending on the size of the lesion. The patient is free to leave the clinic immediately after the procedure. The removal of xanthelasma is performed by the Erbium Yag laser, and the wound that remains after the procedure heals within seven to ten days. During the healing process, it is recommended to avoid exposure to dirt and dust. The final size of the scar depends on the size of the xanthelasma. The scar after the intervention is reddish at first, gradually fading and blending with the surrounding skin. For one month after the intervention, the patient may not expose herself/himself to sunlight.

Larger xanthelasma, or those for whom laser removal is not recommended for any reason, can be removed surgically and which the wound will be primarily sutured. This procedure is performed under local anaesthetic and the stitches are usually removed after seven days. The scar is initially reddish but fades over time.