Xanthelasma Facts: Your Questions Answered

What Is Xanthelasma?

Xanthelasma is a build-up of cholesterol-rich fat just under the skin, which shows as soft, flat or slightly raised yellow patches on the eyelids, most often near the inner corners. Doctors call it xanthelasma palpebrae or xanthelasma palpebrarum. It’s the most common kind of xanthoma, the name for fatty deposits in the skin, and it usually grows slowly, if at all.

Who Gets Xanthelasma?

Anyone can get xanthelasma, but it’s most often seen in adults in their 40s and 50s, and it’s more common in women than in men. Around half of people with xanthelasma have normal cholesterol levels, so it isn’t only about diet. Family history plays a part too. Our guide on why do I have xanthelasma looks at the reasons in more detail.

Is Xanthelasma Dangerous?

Xanthelasma itself is harmless. It isn’t cancerous, it doesn’t hurt and it doesn’t affect your eyesight. Because it can sometimes go along with raised cholesterol, it’s worth asking your doctor for a simple cholesterol check, just for peace of mind.

Is Xanthelasma Contagious?

No. Xanthelasma can’t be caught or passed on by touch, towels, make-up or kissing. It comes from fat building up under your own skin, not from an infection, so there’s nothing to worry about for the people around you.

Does Xanthelasma Go Away On Its Own?

Rarely. Most patches stay the same or grow slowly over the years, and lowering your cholesterol usually doesn’t make existing patches fade. That’s why people look at ways to improve the look of them, from clinic options to Xanthel® at home. You can compare every route on our page of xanthelasma removal options.

What Is Xanthel®?

Xanthel® is a cosmetic gel designed to improve the look of xanthelasma, the soft yellow patches that can form on the eyelids. You apply it yourself at home, so there’s no clinic visit, no surgery and no laser. Every kit is made to order for your skin type and tone, as a cream or gel, and you can see what that looks like on real eyelids on our xanthelasma before and after page.

Who Makes Xanthel®?

Xanthel® is made by BGI Northern Limited, a company registered in England and Wales since 2011 (company no. 07601621), whose registered office is Library Chambers, 48 Union Street, Hyde, Cheshire, SK14 1ND. Each kit is produced in a European laboratory that follows ISO 22716, the international good manufacturing standard for cosmetics. Our founder, P. Cutler, had xanthelasma himself and developed Xanthel® with consultant dermatologists.

Is Xanthel® A Medicine?

No. Xanthel® is a cosmetic product for external use only. It’s designed to improve how xanthelasma patches look, and it doesn’t change anything going on inside your body. Because xanthelasma can sometimes be linked to cholesterol, we always suggest asking your doctor for a check alongside using it.

What Makes Xanthel® Different From A Clinic Procedure?

Clinic options such as surgery, laser and freezing all work well in the right hands, but they mean appointments, clinic fees and, for some, anaesthetic and time off to recover. Xanthel® takes two minutes or less to apply at home, usually just once, so you skip the waiting lists and the travel. It’s designed to be gentle on the delicate skin near the eye, and there’s one price, with nothing extra per session.

Is Xanthel® Suitable For All Skin Tones?

Xanthel® is used by people with every skin tone, all over the world. That’s one reason each kit is made to order: the formula is matched to your skin type and tone rather than one strength for everyone. Before you apply it, you do a simple patch test, and the instructions and the list of people who shouldn’t use it come with every kit.

How Does Xanthel® Improve The Look Of Xanthelasma?

You apply Xanthel® carefully to the yellow patch itself, not all over the eyelid. It’s designed to work on the cholesterol-rich patch so that, as the skin renews over the following days, the look of the patch improves. The kit includes full step-by-step instructions, and our guide to how Xanthel works explains why every kit is made to order.

How Long Does Xanthel® Take To Work?

Expect the whole process to take roughly one to two weeks. After you apply it, the area goes red, a small scab forms over the next few days, and then the scab comes away as the skin settles. Larger or thicker patches can take a little longer, and following the aftercare steps closely makes a real difference.

How Many Applications Of Xanthel® Will I Need?

Usually just one. Larger or thicker patches sometimes need a second application, so each kit contains enough for a second go if you need it, and the instructions tell you how long to wait between the two. If you’re unsure from the start, email us a photo and we’ll tell you honestly what to expect.

Does Xanthel® Work On Both Eyelids?

Yes. You can use Xanthel® on patches on the upper or lower eyelids, and on both eyes, which is how many people have them. Simply follow the instructions for each patch on its own.

Will The Xanthelasma Come Back After Using Xanthel®?

Xanthel® works on the patches you have now. It can’t change whatever made them form in the first place, so new patches can appear over time, especially if cholesterol is raised and left unchecked. A cholesterol check with your doctor and a healthy lifestyle are the sensible next step, and if a new patch does appear, you can use Xanthel® on it too.

Does Xanthel® Work On Other Types Of Xanthoma?

Xanthel® is made for xanthelasma on the eyelids only. Xanthomas elsewhere on the body, such as on the tendons, elbows or knees, or ones that appear suddenly in crops, need a doctor to look at them, because they can point to something that needs medical attention. Our guide to xanthoma and xanthelasma explains the difference.

How Do I Use Xanthel®?

Start with clean skin and no make-up. Do the patch test first, as described in your instructions. Then apply Xanthel® carefully to the patch itself, exactly as shown in the step-by-step guide, and look after the area for the next one to two weeks while the skin settles. Everything you need comes in the kit.

Do I Need To Do A Patch Test Before Using Xanthel®?

Yes. A patch test is part of the instructions and you should always do it before applying Xanthel® to the patch. It’s normal good practice for anything used near the delicate skin around the eyes, and the guide shows you exactly where and how to do it.

What Aftercare Does Xanthel® Need?

Keep the area clean, don’t pick at the scab, and keep it out of strong sunlight while the skin settles. Your guide sets out each aftercare step over the one to two weeks that follow. Of everything you can control, good aftercare does the most to help the skin look good afterwards.

Can I Wear Make-Up While Using Xanthel®?

Keep the area clean and free of make-up while you apply Xanthel® and while the skin settles, as this helps avoid irritation. Once the scab has come away and the skin has fully settled, you can go back to your usual routine. Your instructions say when.