If you’ve heard that you can perform xanthelasma removal at home with a needle, it’s not true. Creams also won’t get rid of the yellow growths that develop on or near the corners of the eyelids. You might find TikTok or YouTube videos of people performing DIY xanthelasma removal, but trying to remove a xanthelasma yourself can lead to complications that worsen the situation.
What Is an Eyelid Xanthelasma?
Pronounced “zan-thuh-laz-muh,” xanthelasmas are harmless, yellow growths that develop when cholesterol accumulates. It typically occurs on the upper and lower eyelids. Even though they can be unsightly and won’t disappear on their own, they’re not cancerous or dangerous.
Some physicians think xanthelasma growths are linked to high cholesterol levels (fat in the blood) passed down from parents. Up to half of those with a xanthelasma have high cholesterol, but the other half have normal cholesterol. So, other causes, such as inflammation, may contribute to the growths.
Can I Remove Eyelid Xanthelasmas at Home?
No, there aren’t any effective home remedies for removing xanthelasma. If you’re tempted to pop one using a knife or other instrument, here are reasons you should never attempt this:
- It can be painful without numbing the area with a local anesthetic.
- Introducing bacteria into an open wound in an unsterile environment carries a high risk of infection.
- You may cause unnecessary bleeding and inflammation.
- You increase your risk of scarring.
- You could damage the delicate skin and tissues around the eyes or the eyeball itself.
It’s also an ineffective treatment because a xanthelasma often extends deeper into the skin than is visible on the surface. Without completely removing the growth, it will likely reappear.
What Is the Best Way To Get Rid of Xanthelasmas?
We surgically remove the growth after numbing the area with a local anesthetic. There’s a brief sting during the injection, but the procedure itself is painless. The surgeon removes the white or yellow areas and then closes the incision with dissolving sutures for quicker healing. We apply an antibiotic ointment before you leave. You can read more about the surgical removal of xanthelasma in our previous blog post.
Other potential treatments include laser therapy, chemical peels, and freezing the growth.
Because xanthelasma may indicate underlying health issues like high cholesterol or heart disease, you should get blood tests to check lipid levels and overall health.
How Much Does Xanthelasma Removal Cost?
At our Toronto practice, xanthelasma removal starts at $550 per eyelid, and OHIP does not cover it. Fortunately, this is typically a one-time procedure that does not require any follow-up care.
Even though xanthelasma may be a cosmetic concern, removing it at home carries significant risks with little chance of success. If you would like to learn more about how our Royal College-certified plastic surgeons safely remove eyelid xanthelasmas, please request a consultation using the online form or call (416) 663-9649.
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