[CO2 laser vaporization of xanthelasmas]

Until now surgery was the only means of removing xanthelasmas. However, their proximity to blood vessels and consequent tendency to bleed makes visual supervision of the excision difficult. The CO2 laser's infrared wavelength permits photovaporization of tissue with excellent hemostasis. It is thus an ideal tool for removing xanthelasmas. Visual supervision is excellent, and the laser's shallow penetration depth permits layerwise removal of the yellow foam cell plaques. The resulting lesions heal without significant scarring, and deeper layers of the skin remain unharmed. The procedure is fast and easy, and postoperative care is minimal; cosmetic results and patient acceptance are excellent. A clinical case and the results of ten treatments are described. The authors conclude that surgical excision of xanthelasmas can be replaced entirely by CO2 photovaporization.