Medically reviewed by Dr Sin Yong · Last reviewed · 3 min read
Published 13 October 2026 · Reviewed by Dr Sin Yong
Xanthelasma (xanthelasma palpebrarum) is a soft, flat, yellowish plaque on the eyelid, made of lipid-laden foam cells in the superficial dermis, most often near the inner corner of the upper lid. It is benign, but about half of patients have abnormal blood lipids, so a fasting lipid panel is standard advice before removal is planned. Established plaques do not clear with creams or time; removal is by ablative laser, excision or chemical agents, and recurrence after any method is documented.
Key facts
ICD-10
H02.6
What's in it
Foam cells: macrophages loaded with lipid, in the superficial dermis; the most common cutaneous xanthoma
The lipid link
About half of patients have dyslipidaemia; a fasting lipid panel is standard advice
Removal
Ablative laser (CO₂ or erbium), surgical excision or chemical agents, matched to size and depth; recurrence is documented after every method
Where it fits
Xanthelasma is the one cosmetic eyelid lesion that doubles as a lipid question, which is why Dr Sin Yong's order is cholesterol check first, removal planning second. It is told apart from milia and syringoma by its soft, flat, yellow look and its eyelid position. Plaques slowly enlarge over years and essentially never regress on their own; creams, acid kits and squeezing do not address them, and the method of removal is matched to the plaque's size and depth, with the chance of recurrence explained before anything is done. Full page: xanthelasma; the look-alikes on syringoma and milia.
Frequently Asked Questions
Not always, but about half of patients do have abnormal blood lipids, so a fasting lipid panel is standard advice. The plaque itself is benign; the test is about what it may be signalling.
It can. Recurrence after any modality is well documented, with substantial rates reported over years. The method is matched to size and depth, and the lipid picture is addressed alongside.
