CO2 Laser Treatment of Xanthelasma Palpebrarum in Skin Types III-IV: Efficacy and Complications After 9-Month Follow-Up.

Abstract

Objective: Ultrapulse CO2 laser has been used for several decades for removal of xanthelasma lesions. However, most studies to date have focused on Caucasian patients (skin types I-II). We sought to assess the efficacy and complications of CO2 laser therapy for xanthelasma palpebrarum (XP) in Chinese patients (skin types III-IV). Methods: Data of 38 patients with xanthelasma who received CO2 laser treatment between December 2013 and January 2016 at our hospital were retrospectively analyzed. Patients were followed up for 9 months. Results: Recurrence occurred in 19/38 (50%) patients. Recurrence was significantly more common in patients with multiple lesions (15/24; 62.5%) than in patients with single lesions (4/14; 28.6%). At 3 months after treatment, the complication rate was 63.16%. The complications included hypopigmentation (23/24; 95.8%) and scarring (1/24; 4.2%). In all patients, the hypopigmentation had disappeared by end of the 9-month follow-up. Conclusions: Ultrapulse CO2 laser appears to be capable of completely removing XP in patients with medium skin type III-IV. The most common complication is hypopigmentation, but this resolves with time.