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Xanthelasma is a benign neoplasm that looks very much like a flat plaque, soft and painless. There can be several such plaques, and with their large accumulation, they gather into one smooth tumor, causing a lot of inconvenience. Firstly, it all looks rather unpresentable, and secondly, it can interfere with the eyelid. Therefore, such neoplasms, which do not even carry any physical harm, should preferably be removed.
Such tumors slowly progress, but do not develop into malignant ones. There are various methods of treatment of xanthelasmas, however, in order to completely and permanently get rid of them, you can only surgically.
Basic techniques for removing xanthelasma
Before any treatment of benign neoplasms, it is advisable to undergo a full course of examination in order to identify the cause that caused their occurrence. Therefore, before deciding to remove, you need to contact an endocrinologist and check the metabolism in the body.
Only in this way can xanthelasmas be prevented in the future.
There are several ways to get rid of such neoplasms. All of them are quite effective, and each of them has its own advantages and disadvantages.
Xanthelasma can be removed surgically. It provides for a mechanical effect on education with the help of surgical instruments. After such an intervention, sutures are mandatory on the resulting wound. Although this method is quite justified, it also has some disadvantages. The most basic of them is a significant traumatic effect. Often, after such operations, unaesthetic scars may remain on the eyelids. Especially if the xanthelasma were large.
Cryodestruction is one of the most modern methods of xanthelasma removal. It consists in exposing the tumor to extremely low temperatures. When freezing, which is usually done with liquid nitrogen, such formations simply die off, leaving behind a dry crust, which also disappears over time. But in most cases, several procedures may be required to achieve the desired result.
Laser removal of xanthelasma. It is considered one of the best and most sought-after methods to date. Its popularity is due to the fact that this procedure has many advantages and practically no disadvantages.
Advantages of laser coagulation
Removal of xanthelasma with a laser has a number of advantages compared to other methods:
- after laser exposure, the risk of new formations is reduced several times;
- cholesterol deposits are evaporated using a CO2 laser, so this procedure does not have any mechanical or contact effect;
- in most cases, only one procedure is enough to achieve the desired effect;
- exposure to a laser beam practically leaves no marks on the skin, and therefore is considered the most effective procedure in aesthetic and cosmetic terms;
- after such procedures, almost no time is required for the rehabilitation period.
Stages of laser removal of xanthelasma
Carrying out laser coagulation has several stages:
- Preparation for the procedure. During the initial examination, the doctor collects the patient’s history, determines the indications and possible contraindications for the procedure. In addition, before the procedure itself, it will be necessary to undergo some clinical studies, which are also appointed by a specialist. At this stage, the doctor will talk about how the procedure will take place, what consequences the patient can expect after it, and also focuses on possible risks and some limiting factors.
- laser removal. With the help of a laser beam that affects the formation, the layers of xanthelasma evaporate. In this case, the patient does not experience any discomfort, except for a slight feeling of warmth on the skin. In some cases, local anesthesia is used. The whole procedure takes no more than half an hour, depending on the affected area. This method is practically non-invasive.
- Recovery period. Immediately after the procedure, the affected area is treated with an anesthetic solution to exclude the possibility of infection or inflammation. Such procedures can and even will need to be carried out at home. Healing of the resulting wound occurs within one to two weeks. After the formed dry crust falls off, no traces remain on the skin.
In order to reduce the risk of recurrence of the disease, it is necessary to strictly follow all the appointments of a specialist and adhere to his recommendations. In such cases, to restore lipid metabolism in the body, as well as to lower cholesterol levels, the patient is shown a low-carbohydrate diet and a healthy lifestyle.
In conclusion
Xanthelasma is a rather unpleasant formation on the eyelids. It does not bring any physical discomfort to the patient, however, it can affect the emotional health, as it causes aesthetic disharmony. This is especially important for patients of the fair sex, who spend a lot of time and energy on caring for their appearance. Therefore, in order to quickly and effectively get rid of such cholesterol deposits on the skin, the laser coagulation method is used, which is considered the most progressive at the present time.
Removing xanthelasma with a laser, you can achieve a remarkable effect in a minimum period of time. In addition, this procedure is absolutely safe, painless and has virtually no contraindications. However, before undergoing it, it is imperative to consult with a gastroendocrinologist, pass a series of laboratory tests and identify the cause of this disease.