Treatment of xanthelasma by excision with secondary intention healing

Twenty-eight patients with cosmetically compromising xanthelasma were treated by excision of the involved skin, the areas then being allowed to heal by secondary intention. All patients had a good cosmetic-result, those having previously undergone treatment with trichloroacetic acid chemical peels considering the new method more effective in clearing their lesions despite increased treatment morbidity in the first few weeks. Complications included recurrence in two patients, easily dealt with by re-treatment, and scarring in one patient, which settled with massage and was not cosmetically compromising. It is suggested that treatment of xanthelasma by excision and secondary intention healing is an inexpensive, effective and safe treatment for this common cosmetic problem.