Xanthelasma Palpebrarum
What Is Xanthelasma Palpebrarum?
Xanthelasma is a sharply demarcated yellowish deposit of fat underneath the skin, usually on or around the eyelids. While they are neither harmful nor painful, these minor growths may be cosmetically unacceptable and can be removed.
Quick Facts:
- Frequently, they are symmetrical; often, 4 lids are involved. Xanthelasma have a tendency to increase slowly, and become permanent.
- Around half of the cases are linked with higher than average cholesterol levels.
- A study of almost 13,000 people found with the patches, concluded that these people were more likely have a heart attack or heart disease.
- Increased lipid levels are present in 50% patients with Xanthelasma.
- Family history of high lipid levels, Xanthelasma and diabetes is to be enquired.
- Increased lipid levels can also be an association, usually caused by underlying uncontrolled diabetes.
- Some patients exhibiting Xanthelasma have normal lipid levels but this is less common in younger patients. Although these patients are not at increased risk of heart disease, they are more commonly found to have other risk factors for cardiovascular disease eg a higher BMI, waist circumference and deranged lipid levels.
Do I Need To Biopsy The Area To Confirm?
On examination we can make a diagnosis of Xanthelasma but to document and confirm diagnosis some doctors would prefer to take a biopsy.
Does Xanthelasma Increase With Time?
They are generally permanent with tendency to increase in number and coalesce with time.
What Are The Different Treatments Available?
- Patients should have their fasting lipid levels checked and those with increased lipid levels should have a cardiac risk assessment done. If required medical intervention would include starting the individual on lipid lowering drugs with aspirin.
- The lesions can be left alone unless the patient wishes them removed for cosmetic reasons. The condition is itself harmless..Lesions can recur in patients after treatment.
- Various options are available including surgical excision, chemical treatment with trichloroacetic acid, laser treatment.
- Laser treatment for Xanthelasma
Why Skin & You for Xanthelasma Treatment?
We at Skin & You Clinic use the novel minimally ablative RF laser device, just as a damaged painting is delicately restored one area at a time, or a photographic image is altered, pixel by pixel, the RF Pixel improves your appearance by affecting only a fraction of your skin at a time with thousands of microscopic RF Pixel spots. We have used the treatment successfully in Xanthelasma cases with good response.
For more information RFPIXEL TREATMENT CLICK HERE
