Skin conditions can cause emotional pain and stigma that may lower your self-esteem. They are stressful, especially if they appear on the visible areas of your skin or face. Xanthelasma is not an exception. The condition causes yellowish patches around your eyes or inside the corners of your eyelids. Although xanthelasma is harmless, it could be a sign of heart disease or a problem with your lipid levels.
The treatment of xanthelasma may take several months. You need to start the removal process early to prevent your skin from worsening. Using xanthel cream is a great starting point.
Cryotherapy
Cryotherapy treatment uses liquid nitrogen to freeze and reduces swelling and inflammation. It involves exposing the skin to extreme temperatures, typically below freezing point.
Here are several ways to perform cryotherapy:
- Cold baths: the patient is wrapped in ice for about 15 minutes, then taken out, and it is recommended to continue with the treatment daily until they no longer experience pain or redness.
- Ice packs: apply ice packs directly to your skin for 10 minutes every three hours for five days.
- Electrostimulation: It uses high-frequency electrical pulses to destroy cells on the skin’s surface. The vibrations destroy only those cells that have become enlarged or swollen due to inflammation or injury.
Laser Surgery
Laser surgery can reduce the size of the swelling and make it less noticeable. It’s also a great way to reduce the chances that your skin will become more wrinkled or lose elasticity as you age. Laser surgery works by destroying the excess fluid under the skin. This causes it to drain through the pores, reducing or completely clearing up your xanthelasma.
Here are some tips for including a laser as part of your treatment plan:
- Ensure you’re in good health before laser surgery. Bring your medical history and inform the doctor about any other conditions you may have, like heart disease or high blood pressure.
- When choosing a laser surgery provider, ensure they specialize in treating your condition and have experience performing procedures on this area of the face. A dermatologist should help you decide which doctor will best treat your disease if they don’t specialize in treating xanthelasma.
- Depending on the size and complexity, the laser procedure may take 60 to 90 minutes to penetrate the eye or face. During this time, you’ll be under general anesthesia to ensure you don’t feel any pain during the surgery.
Radiofrequency Advanced Electrolysis
Radiofrequency advanced electrolysis treats xanthelasma by reducing the build-up of excess skin cells in the lower eyelid. The treatment has no side effects, but you may experience mild swelling for a few days after treatment. The treatment is usually done once a week for three weeks. Afterward, you can maintain control of your condition by continuing a healthy lifestyle and following your doctor’s instructions.
After your visit, you should expect to see an improvement in your appearance almost immediately following treatment. If your condition does not improve as expected or your symptoms return, see your doctor immediately.
Chemical Peels
The chemical peel type of treatment removes the outer layer of the skin using a chemical solution. As a result, the procedure removes dark spots and discoloration on your skin’s surface. Chemical peels work by allowing your skin to produce new collagen. Collagen gives your skin firmness, and elasticity, and keeps it from sagging or wrinkling.
The secret to a successful chemical peel is getting the right products to meet your needs. Some may be too powerful for sensitive skin, and others may not be effective enough for some patients. Additionally, the results will vary depending on how deep you peel off the epidermis layers.
The following are some of the common types of chemical peels:
- The superficial chemical peel: removes the outermost layer of the dead skin cells on the skin’s surface. You can use this type of peel to treat acne scars.
- Medium chemical peel: targets the deeper layers of the epidermis. You can use it for xanthelasma, as it removes thickened skin.
- Deep chemical peel: mainly targets the lower layers of your epidermis. It’s ideal if you want to remove excess pigmentation to improve your skin’s appearance.
Remember to perform chemical peels with caution to avoid damaging the top layer of the epidermis. Get a professional with vast knowledge and training in chemical peeling to ensure you get the best results. An expert will also offer guidance based on your skin type and condition.
Tradition Surgery
Traditional surgery is an effective way to treat xanthelasmas. The doctor makes a small incision in your skin to drain fluid lying under your skin. The surgeon may use a laser to break and remove excess fat around your eyes. He may sometimes combine surgery with medications to reduce inflammation and swelling.
The success rate of traditional surgery to treat xanthelasmas may depend on the following:
- Age
- Type of xanthelasmas being treated
- Presence of underlying diseases like diabetes
Caution to take
The recovery period after surgery is 1-3 days. However, during this time, you may experience minor discomfort, like mild pain, when you open your eyes, but this doesn’t last long.
The main advantages of traditional surgery include:
- Prevents scarring
- Less painful
- Effective in treating xanthelasma
Hormone Therapy
Hormone therapy works by lowering the estrogen levels in the body. Oestrogen plays a vital role in keeping skin cells from sticking together. Hormonal treatment reduces the amount of skin that sticks together, thus reducing the formation of xanthelasma. Additionally, this type of therapy reduces inflammation that can cause xanthelasma. As a result, the blood vessels relax and dilate quickly, improving the blood flow throughout your body and relieving pressure on your eyes.
Hormone therapies vary depending on the type and severity of xanthelasma. Your doctor may prescribe hormonal pills, injections, or implants to treat xanthelasma. As you already know, skincare is a subjective area. And while it certainly doesn’t hurt to have a mentor or two (or three) who can guide you in the right direction, you shouldn’t always follow what everyone else does. Following the advice offered here and using will likely produce an effective skincare routine that will gradually help clear up your skin.