A yellow lump or growth found around the eyelids, xanthelasma can look somewhat concerning, but it is ultimately harmless and can be safely removed using a variety of surgical and non-surgical methods.
It is important to get it checked out by your doctor as it can sometimes be a signifier of long-term health concerns, but in the vast majority of cases, a xanthelasma growth is not innately harmful, and if you do not like how it looks, there are a wide number of procedures that can help get rid of it.
As an artistic aesthetic skin clinic that specialises in laser and cosmetic skin treatments, xanthelasma is one of many conditions we can help remove, but to understand which treatment is right for you, it is important to learn more about the condition and what causes it in the first place.
What Causes Xanthelasma?
A xanthelasma growth is a build-up of cholesterol, which is deposited under the skin and gradually forms a yellow growth above and around the corners of the eyelids. Larger forms of xanthelasma are known as xanthoma and are often an immediate cause for concern.
Exactly what causes it is a major source of research; there is a growing body of evidence which connects xanthelasma to high cholesterol levels, and many people who get recurring xanthelasma have either high cholesterol or the risk factors for high cholesterol.
However, half of all cases of xanthelasma are in people who do not have high cholesterol, which suggests a potential link to inflammation or another risk factor such as tobacco smoking or diabetes.
Is Xanthelasma Harmful?
On its own, xanthelasma is not inherently harmful. It is not painful, it cannot affect your eyesight and the deposits by themselves do not have any effect on your health.
However, they can be unsightly, particularly if they are more protruding and firm, and whilst they are not inherently a sign of disease, they can often be an early sign of potential issues with high cholesterol, which itself can have long-term health implications.
Xanthelasma can be an early sign of heart disease or liver disorders, so a doctor will likely undertake tests to determine its root cause before you have it removed.
Can You Get Xanthelasma Growths Removed Without Surgery?
Yes you can. Whilst xanthelasma can be treated using traditional surgery, which excises the growths and repairs the skin, there are several alternative treatments which are commonly used, are highly effective and do not require the downtime that surgery does.
Xanthelasma growths will not go away on their own and will typically need some kind of aesthetic intervention to get them removed.
Depending on the root cause of the xanthelasma growth, you may need multiple sessions, and there is a chance that it can regrow, although the latter can often be prevented.
Cryotherapy
Extreme cold therapy is a common treatment for xanthelasma, as the freezing temperatures help to destroy fatty deposits whilst minimising recovery time or damage to the skin.
In many cases, cryotherapy is the first choice for removing the deposits, but this will depend on the location and size of the area which needs treating.
Chemical Peel
A more intensive chemical peel treatment helps to penetrate deeper into the dermis than a typical skin treatment to destroy the growth and encourage a refreshing renewal of the skin.
It is particularly effective on smaller xanthelasma growths, so its use is typically highly targeted.
Laser Therapy
In some cases, xanthelasma growths can be burned off using laser therapy, although depending on how large the growths are, there may be additional recovery time using this method.
Similarly, heat ablation can be used in the same way to burn off the deposits, and which treatment is best for you will often depend on location and the expertise of your aesthetic professionals.
RF Ablation
Similarly, radiofrequency waves can be used to destroy the cholesterol deposits, although this can sometimes require stitches following the treatment in order to encourage healing of the deposits afterwards.
How Do You Prevent Xanthelasma?
Preventing xanthelasma in many cases involves managing and lowering cholesterol. In some cases, your doctor will prescribe cholesterol-lowering medication such as statins as well as recommend that you alter your diet and lifestyle if possible.
In particular, if you currently smoke, you may be advised to quit, as this is a major cause of both high cholesterol and therefore xanthelasma recurrence.
As well as this, lowering saturated fat intake, more regular exercise and minimising alcohol can all help reduce cholesterol and reduce the risk of xanthelasma growths returning.
