Continuous Wave Potassium Titanyl Phosphate Laser Treatment is Safe and Effective for Xanthelasma Palpebrarum

BACKGROUND Although not an accepted standard treatment, the 532-nm continuous wave potassium titanyl phosphate (CW-KTP) laser might be a powerful device to treat xanthelasma palpebrarum (XP). OBJECTIVE To determine the safety and efficacy of CW-KTP laser treatment for XP. MATERIALS AND METHODS Between January 2013 and January 2015, 30 consecutive patients with XP were treated with a 532-nm CW-KTP laser (spot size: 0.9 mm, power: 5.0 W, fluence: 36-38 J/cm(2), pulse width: 46 milliseconds, frequency: 2.0 Hz, passes per session: 3). In a retrospective study design, safety and efficacy data were collected and analyzed. RESULTS Overall, 29/30 (97%) of patients had an excellent cosmetical result. Downtime was 1 week with crusted lesions. Although slight hypopigmentation was common, only 1/30 (3%) patients had hypopigmentation that was more than expected. Recurrences (13/30; 43%) were frequent, so that yearly maintenance therapy was warranted. No major side effects were noticed. CONCLUSION Continuous wave KTP laser therapy is safe and highly effective for XP, although regular follow-up treatments are often necessary to maintain the achieved cosmetic results.