Xanthelasma

What it is?

Xanthelasma removal is the treatment of yellow cholesterol deposits found under the eyes.
Modern Xanthelasma treatment uses laser or radio frequency.

Symptoms

What is xanthelasma?

Xanthelasma are yellow coloured Cholesterol deposits that are situated around the eyes. They are not necessarily an indicator of high levels of cholesterol in the blood, but can be of a cosmetic concern to those affected.

Victorian Cosmetic Institute’s doctors are experts in modern, non-surgical solutions to Xanthelasma. Treatment is offered at our Templestowe and Berwick clinics.

Treatment

How is xanthelasma treated?
The removal of xanthelasma can be performed in a number of ways;
Surgical excision – direct surgical excision is a viable method of removal, however, it tends to leave scars. Furthermore, due to the recurrent nature of xanthelasma, further surgical resections may be required.  As there is a finite amount of skin that can be excised without causing problems, the number of surgeries performed may be limited.

Resurfacing with an Erbium or Carbon dioxide laser – these lasers can be used to ablate (vapourise) xanthelasma.

Removal of xanthelasma with radiofrequency – radiofrequency devices can cut and coagulate tissue simultaneously without causing much heat energy transfer to the surrounding skin. This is more suitable for larger xanthelasma lesions.

Procedure
What is involved with xanthelasma treatment?

• At Victorian Cosmetic Institute, we advocate the removal of xanthelasma with laser or radiofrequency rather than direct surgical excision.
• Usually the area is numbed with a nerve block or anaesthetic injection directly into the area to prevent any discomfort from the treatment.
• For laser treatments, it is necessary to protect the eyes from the laser, so eye shields need to be worn. Often these are internal eye shields need to be placed and these can be put in after the use of local anaesthetic eye drops.
• Finally, the Erbium or Carbon dioxide or radiofrequency machine is used to flatten the xanthelasma down to skin level.

Recovery
It is possible for xanthelasma to return in the same area or another area even after treatment. This is one of the main reasons why we do not advocate surgical removal of the xanthelasma as it can leave a scar and further surgical excisions may end up in excess skin removal. 

With laser or radiofrequency, the treatment can be repeated without scarring or removal of skin.