Therapeutic Options For Xanthelasma Palpebrarum: Pharmacological Approaches, Surgical Procedures, And Laser Therapy
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.31004/joecy.v6i1.6584Keywords:
Ablative Laser, Surgical Excision, Hyperlipidemia, TCA Therapy, Xanthelasma PalpebrarumAbstract
Xanthelasma palpebrarum is a benign skin lesion consisting of a yellowish periorbital plaque due to lipid accumulation, often associated with hyperlipidemia, although primarily an aesthetic complaint. This study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness, complications, and recurrence factors of three main modalities: surgical excision, CO2 laser, and LASIK.₂, and TCA. Using a qualitative systematic literature review approach based on PRISMA, the population included publications from 2021-2025 in Google Scholar, PubMed, and Scopus. The purposive sample consisted of 16 articles (500+ patients) with inclusion criteria of interventional studies and lipid profiles. The PRISMA protocol instrument and thematic content analysis identified patterns of effectiveness through triangulation and MMAT quality appraisal. The results showed that CO laser₂most effective (100% resolution, 13-16% recurrence), followed by surgical excision (3-60%), and TCA 70% for small lesions (25-39% recurrence) with a 33% risk of pigmentation. Conclusions recommend individualization of therapy based on lesion size, skin type, and systemic lipid management to minimize recurrence.
References
Creswell, J. W., & Poth, C. N. (2022). Qualitative inquiry and research design: Choosing among five approaches (5th ed.). SAGE Publications.https://doi.org/10.4135/9781071935112
Emzir. (2024). Qualitative research methodology: Content data analysis techniques. Prenada Media.
Hu, W., Liu, Y., Lian, C., & Lu, H. (2024). Genetic insight into putative causes of xanthelasma palpebrarum: A Mendelian randomization study. Frontiers in Immunology, 15, Article 1347112.https://doi.org/10.3389/fimmu.2024.1347112
Kaur, H., Datta, P.K., Bhunia, D., Singh, M., Saha, P.K., & Shah, A.K. (2023). A clinico-demographic study of xanthelasma palpebrarum at a tertiary care center with special reference to its association with metabolic syndrome. International Journal of Dentistry, Medicine and Medical Sciences Research, 5(3), 272–278.https://doi.org/10.35629/5252-0503272278
Katz, T. M., Goldberg, L. H., & Friedman, P. M. (2019). Extensive facial xanthelasma successfully treated with fractional photothermolysis. Archives of Dermatology, 145(10), 1091–1094.https://doi.org/10.1001/archdermatol.2009.234
Laftah, Z., & Al-Niaimi, F. (2018). Xanthelasma: An update on treatment modalities. Journal of Cutaneous and Aesthetic Surgery, 11(1), 1–6.https://doi.org/10.4103/JCAS.JCAS_56_17
Latif, WD, Aswad, M., & Bahar, MA (2022). Comparison of the clinical effectiveness of simvastatin and atorvastatin on the blood lipid profile of dyslipidemia patients at Hasanuddin University Hospital. Journal of Pharmaceutical & Clinical Sciences, 9(1), 34–41.https://doi.org/10.25077/jsfk.v9i1.34-41.2022
Malekzadeh, H., Ormseth, B., & Janis, J. E. (2023). A practical review of the management of xanthelasma palpebrarum. Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery Global Open, 11, Article e4982.https://doi.org/10.1097/GOX.0000000000004982
Mani, S., Khandare, M., Chaitanya, Y. V. K., Neema, S., Ranjan, E., Raut, A., & Rajput, G. R. (2025). Surgical management of xanthelasma palpebrarum: Reducing angular defects through extended excision technique. Journal of Cutaneous and Aesthetic Surgery. Advance online publication.https://doi.org/10.25259/JCAS_66_2024
Saragih, RTX, Sutarto, & Utama, WT (2023a). Lipid profile and management in patients with xanthelasma palpebrarum. Medulla, 13(2), 174–180.
Saragih, RTX, Sutarto, & Utama, WT (2023b). Review of the incidence of xanthelasma palpebrarum in atherosclerosis. Medulla, 13(2), 174–180.
Scarano, A., Inchingolo, F., Scogna, G., Leo, L., Crisante, A., Greco Lucchina, A., . . . Inchingolo, A. M. (2021). Xanthelasma palpebrarum removed with Atmospheric Plasma technique: 11-year follow-up. Journal of Biological Regulators and Homeostatic Agents, 35(2 Suppl. 1), 181–185.
Sinaga, RM, & Nahrisyah. (2025). Xanthelasma palpebrarum in a young adult male patient. SCRIPTA SCORE: Scientific Medical Journal, 6(2), 181–183.https://doi.org/10.32734/scripta.v6i2.15234
Sudaryono. (2022). Educational research methodology. Graha Ilmu.
Sugiyono. (2023). Quantitative, qualitative, and R&D research methods (28th Edition). Alfabeta.
Wang, D., Mao, Z., Li, Z., Gao, W., Qu, Y., Li, X., . . . Li, Y. (2025). Carbon dioxide laser excision as a novel treatment for large xanthelasma palpebrarum: Long-term efficacy and safety. British Journal of Ophthalmology, 109(3), 427–432.https://doi.org/10.1136/bjo-2024-325581
Widiatmoko, A., & Ajie, AB (2021). Excision of xanthelasma palpebrarum. Atmajaya Journal of Dermatology and Venereology, 2(2), 1–6.
Zalukhu, Y., Wahyuni, MS, Al-Asy'asri, AH, & Setiawan, D. (2023). Implementation of the certainty factor method in an expert system to diagnose xanthelasma. Jurnal Tekniki, 3(2), 60–68.
Zhimin, W., Hui, W., Fengtao, J., Wenjuan, S., & Yongrong, L. (2020). Clinical and serum lipid profiles and LDLR genetic analysis of xanthelasma palpebrarum with nonfamilial hypercholesterolemia. Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 19(11), 3096–3099.https://doi.org/10.1111/jocd.13366
Downloads
Published
How to Cite
Issue
Section
License
Copyright (c) 2026 Joseph Bagasjati Pradika, Kamal Yasin, Bertrand Revival Hutagalung, Nur Khalisha Yahya, Amin Ibrizatun

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International License.







