Xanthelasma are flat or slightly raised yellowish patches that appear on or around the eyelids. While not harmful, these cholesterol-based deposits can be frustrating, especially when they begin to grow, become more visible, or interfere with the natural contour of the eyelids.
At her boutique oculoplastic surgery practice in Irvine, CA, Dr. Melanie Ho Erb offers safe, precise xanthelasma removal with a focus on cosmetic results. As a board-certified eyelid specialist, she combines medical accuracy with aesthetic awareness–ensuring your eyes look smooth, balanced, and refreshed after treatment.
Dr. Melanie did an excellent job in removing my xanthelasma. Her charges are very reasonable, especially if you consider all the additional follow-up appointments. She is dedicated to making sure she is delivering to you the best results. She is highly-skilled, and an obvious perfectionist. She is also easy to talk to, explains everything very clearly, and listens to your concerns. Her staff is also very cordial. I will definitely return to her for other procedures as I need them. Highly recommended.
Understanding Xanthelasma
Xanthelasma (zan-thuh-LAZ-muh) are cholesterol-rich plaques that form within the skin, most commonly on the inner corners of the upper and lower eyelids. They are:
- Soft or slightly firm to the touch
- Pale yellow or light tan in color
- Usually symmetrical between both eyes
- Often associated with high cholesterol or lipid levels, though not always
Xanthelasma are benign (non-cancerous), but they do not go away on their own and may grow or multiply over time.
Treatment: How Is Xanthelasma Removed?
To treat your xanthelasma, Dr. Erb will ideally recommend surgical removal. Surgical excision works best when the xanthelasma is small. Sometimes the size and location of your xanthelasma will make surgical removal impossible. If this is the case, Dr Erb may recommend cautery which can help change the color from yellow to pink and can flatten the xanthelasma. With surgical removal, the xanthelasma may recur. With cautery, the xanthelasma will be more camouflaged with the eyelid skin, but it will recur.
Most procedures are performed in-office under local anesthesia and take under 30 minutes per area.
What to Expect from the Procedure
- Anesthesia: Local anesthetic is applied for a comfortable experience
- Procedure time: 30 to 90 minutes depending on the number and size of plaques
- Recovery: Bruising and swelling for 2 weeks.
- Scarring: The area may have a contour irregularity which can take 6 months to resolve.
Dr. Erb also advises patients on long-term management, including checking cholesterol levels with your primary physician and reducing risk factors for recurrence.
Schedule your private consultation in Irvine to learn more about your options for xanthelasma removal and facial rejuvenation.
Medically reviewed by Melanie Ho Erb, M.D. on