Xanthelasma Removal
Those soft yellow patches that appear around the eyelids have a name: xanthelasma. They are harmless, they are more common than most patients realise, and they do not usually fade on their own.
At The Doctors Laser Clinic, xanthelasma is assessed and treated by Dr Malcolm Willis, who qualified from Imperial College London in 1979 and has spent over 40 years examining and removing skin lesions. We are CQC registered and based at Poringland, just outside Norwich, and we see patients from across Norfolk and further afield for this.
Table of Contents
Before you go any further: if you have not had your cholesterol checked recently, please book that with your GP. Xanthelasma can be an early sign of raised blood lipids in some patients. Removing the deposits does not address what may have caused them.
What is Xanthelasma?
Xanthelasma, sometimes written as xanthelasma palpebrarum, are flat or slightly raised patches that usually appear at the inner corners of the upper or lower eyelids. They are yellow or cream in colour with a soft, waxy look.
They form when fat-laden immune cells, called foam cells, build up in the dermis, the deeper layer of the skin beneath the surface. Studies suggest that around half of patients with xanthelasma have raised cholesterol or another lipid abnormality. The other half have entirely normal levels, so having them does not automatically mean anything is wrong.
Xanthelasma is more common in women. It tends to grow slowly over time and does not usually resolve without treatment.
Not Every Yellow Patch is Xanthelasma
This matters, so we will say it plainly.
Several other things can look very similar around the eye. Sebaceous hyperplasia, syringoma and other benign lesions are all mistaken for xanthelasma regularly, and occasionally something needs a closer look than a cosmetic clinic should be giving it.
This is why we assess the lesion properly before agreeing to treat anything. If we are not confident about what we are looking at, we will not treat it, and we will explain what we think the next step should be, which may mean referral to your GP or for a dermatological opinion. You are welcome to hear that and go away. We would rather that than the alternative.
Can Xanthelasma be Removed?
Yes. Several clinical treatments can remove or noticeably reduce xanthelasma. No treatment can completely prevent recurrence, particularly if there is an ongoing lipid problem, but removal can be effective and is generally well tolerated. Results vary from person to person.
We use two approaches, chosen according to the size, position and depth of the lesion.
Laser treatment
Medical-grade laser can precisely ablate the deposits, meaning it vaporises the tissue in controlled layers, with limited effect on the skin around it. This works particularly well for flatter, more superficial xanthelasma.
Local anaesthetic is applied first. Many lesions can be treated in one to two sessions. The treated area typically settles over a week or two, and scarring is usually minimal.
Plexr plasma treatment
Plexr uses plasma energy, which is ionised gas, to sublimate the tissue. Sublimating simply means turning it directly from solid to vapour without cutting or touching the skin.
Because nothing makes contact, it allows very precise work on small lesions in awkward places, which is why we tend to reach for it close to the eyelid margin.
What to Expect
Your consultation
Everything starts with an assessment. Dr Willis will look at the size, number and depth of the lesions, review your medical history, and recommend which method suits your case. If you have not had your cholesterol checked, you will be advised to sort that with your GP.
The procedure
A topical anaesthetic numbs the area first. The appointment itself is short, usually well under an hour. You may feel some warmth or pressure while it is being done. Most patients describe it as mild.
Healing
Afterwards the area will look red and will often form a small scab or crust. That is normal and it is part of how it heals. Keep it clean, keep it dry, and keep it out of the sun. The skin typically settles over a week or two, and the final result is usually clear once healing has fully finished over the following weeks.
Scarring
Every removal method carries some risk of scarring or a change in skin texture, and that risk is higher for deeper lesions and for anything close to the eyelid margin. We would rather tell you that now than after. It is discussed properly at consultation so you can make a decision with the full picture.
Will it Come Back?
It can, particularly if the underlying cause has not been dealt with. Bringing cholesterol down through diet, lifestyle or medication can reduce that risk, which is another reason to involve your GP if raised lipids are confirmed.
Cost of Xanthelasma Removal
Xanthelasma removal costs between £650 and £1,500, depending on how many lesions there are and how large they are. Your exact figure is confirmed at consultation once you have been assessed, and before anything is booked.
The consultation with Dr Willis is £50. It is non-refundable, but it comes off the cost of any treatment you go ahead with.
Full details are on our price list.
Who Will Treat You
Dr Malcolm Willis graduated from Imperial College London in 1979 and works as a general practitioner with extensive experience in dermatology and laser treatments. He founded The Doctors Laser Clinic in 2010, following a period as an Honorary Senior Lecturer at the University of East Anglia, and now concentrates on the areas he knows best: mole and skin lesion removal, xanthelasma, and rhinophyma.
The clinic is registered and inspected by the Care Quality Commission.
- Doctor-led assessment and treatment
- CQC regulated clinic
- Local anaesthetic used
- Over 40 years of skin lesion experience
- Clear pricing before you book
Explore Our Other Services:
Laser and Plexr Plasma Technology
Xanthelasma at The Doctors Laser Clinic is treated with medical-grade laser or the Plexr plasma pen, chosen according to the size, depth and position of the lesion. Laser suits flatter, more superficial deposits; Plexr allows very precise, non-contact work close to the eyelid margin. Both are carried out by a doctor, with anaesthetic applied first.
FAQ Xanthelasma Removal
During your consultation with us, we’ll answer any questions or concerns you may have.
Is xanthelasma removal painful?
A topical anaesthetic is applied first, so most patients find it comfortable. You may feel mild warmth or a light tingling. Significant pain during treatment is rare.
How many sessions will I need?
Many lesions can be treated in one to two sessions. Larger or deeper ones may need more. Dr Willis will give you a realistic answer at your consultation rather than a hopeful one.
Will there be a scar?
Every removal method carries some risk of scarring, and that risk is higher close to the eyelid margin or where the lesion runs deep. Techniques are chosen to keep that risk as low as possible. Healing typically leaves a slight pinkness that fades over several weeks.
Does xanthelasma mean I have high cholesterol?
Not necessarily. Studies suggest around half of patients with xanthelasma have entirely normal cholesterol. It is still worth having your lipids checked by your GP, because for some patients it is the first sign.
Can I get xanthelasma removed on the NHS?
Removal for cosmetic reasons is often not available on the NHS, and it varies by local commissioning policy. Your GP can tell you where you stand. For most patients, private treatment is the realistic route.
Will xanthelasma go away on its own?
It does not usually resolve without treatment. Lesions tend to stay the same size or grow slowly over time.
Are you sure it is xanthelasma?
That is the right question, and it is why we assess before we treat. Other lesions can look similar around the eye. If we are not confident, we will not treat it.
Disclaimer: This page is intended to give general and educational information and should not be substituted for in-person medical advice. A consultation is advised if you have any concerns at all.
Book a Xanthelasma consultation
All treatments start with an initial consultation with one of our team. During your consultation we learn about your areas of concern and treatment goals.
