Xanthelasma
A patient case of xanthelasma, a treatment with the phlebolyser.
In this short video, a patient explains his experience with the phlebolyser as therapy method for xanthelasma. Dr. Tarané Probst adds to the patient case from a medical perspective.
The decision to use the phlebolyser was made primarily because of the high tendency to scarring – which is a relevant risk with alternative procedures. This risk is almost non-existent with the phlebolyser.
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What are xanthelasma?
Yellow deposits, often found in the upper and lower eyelid. Xanthelasma are harmless skin changes that are considered cosmetically disturbing. A lipometabolic disorder may, but must not be present.
Facts about xanthelasma:
• Located on the upper or lower eyelids, usually in the inner corner of the eyelid.
• Contain excess fat deposits.
• From a medical point of view, xanthelasma can be left untreated in most cases.
How do xanthelasma form?
Xanthelasma are caused by excess fat stored under the surface of the skin. Usually, they occur without a detectable cause. However, there are some conditions that are more common in female patients with xanthelasma. These include:
• Disorders of liver metabolism
• Problems with the pancreas
• Elevated blood sugar levels
• Disorders of lipid metabolism
• Diabetes mellitus
Lipid metabolism disorders with elevated cholesterol levels are most common in patients with xanthelasma. However, sufferers can also be affected by the yellowish skin changes without elevated blood lipid levels.
Treatment with phlebolyser:
Xanthelasma can be treated with radiofrequency therapy in a minimally invasive and comfortable manner Through the targeted application of radiofrequency and electrolysis, the excess fat cells stored under the skin surface are cooked away without damaging the basal cells. This can be performed without anesthesia, as it is usually somewhat uncomfortable but not painful. The formation of scars or other side effects are not known despite many documentations of the treatment. Important for a sustainable treatment is not only the removal of the skin disorder, but also the treatment of possible metabolic disorders that have causally led to the skin disorder – therefore, treatment with the phlebolyser does not exclude recurrences.
Advantages of phlebolyser treatment:
• No anesthesia
• Scarring is not known
• Gentle and painless method
• Immediately visible reaction
• Applicable on any skin
• Burns excluded, because tool is cold
• No or very little pain
• No bleeding
• No risk of infection
• No stitches, no pressure bandage
• Patient is not restricted in any way after treatment
Conventional methods of xanthelasma removal:
• Laser treatment
• Removal with electricity, cold as well as the acid treatment
• Removal with the scalpel
Possible side effects of surgical intervention:
Removal of xanthelasma by means of a scalpel can result in:
• Scars
• Hematomas
• Rashes
Laser treatment may cause
• Burns
• Scarring
• Hypo- and hyperpigmentation
• Pain
• Purpura
• Blisters
• Edema
• Crusts
• Bleeding
• unwanted hair loss
During the cryotreatment may occur:
• Redness,
• Swellings
• Blisters
• Crusts
• Burn pain
• Chemical burn
Trichloroacetic acid treatment may cause:
• Infection
• Hyperpigmentation
• Teleangiectasias
• Milia
• Scars