How to Get Rid of Milia (2024)

How to Get Rid of Milia (1)

How to Get Rid of Milia

Have you noticed small white bumps appearing around your eyes and cheeks? They may look like whiteheads, but they are completely different. Although it can be confusing, there are a few ways you can determine exactly what you are dealing with and how to best care for your skin while safely getting rid of milia.

What is Milia?

Milia are small, white, cyst-like bumps that typically appear around the nose, on the cheeks, and under the eyes. When multiple milia cysts are present, they are called milia, and, as mentioned above, can look a bit like blemishes known as whiteheads. They appear small and round, but rarely cause discomfort. However, some people may find themselves becoming irritated, especially if they are frequently exposed to rough pillowcases or towels. You can get milia in a number of ways:

Blistering of the skin caused by skin conditions like epidermolysis bullosa

Exposure to irritating plants like poison ivy

Long-term use of steroid creams

Long-term sun damage

The aftermath of skin resurfacing procedures like microdermabrasion and laser resurfacing

Superficial burns and burn-related wounds

You may also notice that milia become more common as you age. This is a result of the skin losing its ability to naturally exfoliate and accumulating dead skin cells, dirt, bacteria, and impurities.

There are many different types of milia. For example, you may have heard of babies being born with “baby acne,” which is related to the mother’s hormones and usually goes away two to four weeks after birth. Other major types occur when the natural keratin present in the body becomes trapped and develops into cysts, and when there is damage to the skin’s surface, such as a burn or blister that clogs the pores.

How to get rid of milia on your face?

You will often find that milia go away on their own over time. However, if you want faster results, there are some habits you can practice at home to keep your skin clear.

Daily Cleansing – Use a gentle, non-foaming cleanser daily to cleanse away impurities that come into contact with your skin on a daily basis.

Gentle Exfoliation – Depending on your skin type, use an exfoliating toner with either AHA (e.g. glycolic acid) or BHA-salicylic acid to remove dead skin cells, excess sebum, and other forms of bacteria. Be careful not to over-exfoliate as this can irritate the skin and strip it of its essential oils and moisture.

Daily Sun Protection: Applying sunscreen daily can protect your skin from further damage from UV rays and other environmental influences.

Don’t Squeeze: As mentioned above, these look a bit like pimples, but it’s best not to squeeze or scratch them as this can lead to infection and scarring on the surface of the skin.

Avoid Heavy Products: Any product with a heavy cream or oil base will generally cause more greasiness. Switching to a lightweight gel product will keep your skin hydrated and avoid further redness.

Use a Mask: Using a clay mask two to three times a week can detoxify the skin and remove impurities that remain on the surface of the skin. By eliminating this barrier on the skin, the products you apply afterwards will be absorbed more effectively.

Peeling – Professional treatments such as peeling remove the outer surface of dead skin cells, leaving behind fresh, new, radiant skin with no signs of milia.

If you stick to this simple habit, you’ll find that your milia problems decrease and that you’re less likely to have further breakouts.

What causes milia under the eyes?

The causes of milia under the eyes are the same as those anywhere on the skin. If left alone, they too will go away over time, but if you need professional treatment, you can consult a dermatologist who will recommend one of the following options:

Debulking – This is the use of a sterile needle to carefully remove the milia.

Cryotherapy – Liquid nitrogen freezes the milia, which is a great option for the cheeks and nose, but isn’t usually recommended for the eye area.

Laser ablation – A small laser is used to open up the cyst and remove the keratin deposits within it.

There are also some things you can try at home to prevent milia, such as:

Cleanse and moisturize your skin regularly to keep it hydrated and healthy. This allows new skin cells to reach the surface of the skin and loosen up the keratin beneath the surface of the milia.

Exfoliate and deeply nourish your skin with an eye serum enriched with vitamins E and A.

Use an eye mask enriched with hyaluronic acid two to three times a week to lock in moisture and keep your skin hydrated.

Here are some of the best professional treatments and skincare products to add to your daily routine that will help keep your eye area healthy and prevent milia from forming.

What happens if you express milia?

Unlike pimples and whiteheads, milia do not have an opening on the surface of the skin. Trying to squeeze and pop them does not have the same consequences as pimples, but can lead to redness, inflammation, and scarring of the skin. This causes them to stay on the surface much longer than if you let them go away on their own or use the recommended treatments and products I mentioned earlier.

Do milia go away?

Although milia are annoying, the cysts usually disappear over time. For babies, you can expect them to disappear within a few weeks, while for older children and adults, it may take several months. If you remember to keep your skin clean and nourished with a selection of nourishing and effective skincare formulas, you will be free of milia in no time. If after a few weeks you find that your milia are not responding to these suggestions and products, it is best to see a doctor or dermatologist to consider further professional skin treatment.

If you have any further questions about milia or other skin problems, don’t forget to find me on Procoal’s Instagram. Come join the skin chat.

How to Get Rid of Milia (2024)

FAQs

How to Get Rid of Milia? ›

Cleansing and exfoliating the skin regularly and taking topical retinoids can help reduce the appearance of milia. Medical treatments such as de-roofing and curettage are manual methods of drawing out milia.

What is the fastest way to get rid of milia? ›

Treatment to remove milia could include:
  1. Application of over-the-counter adapalene gel or prescription tretinoin cream.
  2. Surgically removing the milia in your healthcare provider's office by using a needle to puncture the milia and squeezing out the contents.
  3. Cryotherapy to freeze the milia on your skin to remove them.

Can I poke my milia with a needle? ›

Don't pick, poke, or try to remove them

If milia on your face or your child's face irritates you, don't pick at the affected area. Trying to remove milia can cause the bumps to bleed, scab, and scar. Scraping the skin can also introduce germs to the area. This can cause infection.

How do you get rid of massive milia? ›

Get rid of milia: Treatments options
  1. De-roofing. The simplest way to remove milia is through de-roofing. ...
  2. Laser ablation. This is a milia removal option a dermatologist might choose if you have multiple milia. ...
  3. Chemical peel. ...
  4. Cryotherapy. ...
  5. Tretinoin or oral antibiotics.
Mar 18, 2022

How do you treat extensive milia? ›

They may be destroyed using diathermy and curettage, or cryotherapy. For widespread lesions, topical retinoids may be helpful. Chemical peels, dermabrasion and laser ablation have been reported to be effective when used for very extensive milia. Milia en plaque may improve with minocycline (a tetracycline antibiotic).

What makes milia worse? ›

Like any other skin abnormality, don't pick at a milium (the singular form of milia). That'll only make it worse. The only guaranteed way to get rid of milia is to see a dermatologist for an extraction. “They really are stuck to the skin,” says Michele S.

What is the best product to remove milia? ›

Dr. Farber recommends Differin Gel and SkinBetter AlphaRet Overnight Cream as over-the-counter options, but your dermatologist may also prescribe a tretinoin cream.

What happens if I pop my milia? ›

Never try to pop milia on your own. Not only will you be unsuccessful, but it can cause complications like a skin infection.

What is inside milia? ›

What is inside milia cysts? Milia cysts consist of keratin, a protein that helps form the outer layer of the skin and a person's hair and nails.

Does apple cider vinegar get rid of milia? ›

Using a cotton pad to apply a diluted solution of apple cider vinegar and water to the affected area may help remove dead skin cells and potentially aid in milia resolution. However, be cautious because undiluted apple cider vinegar may irritate the skin.

Can milia be permanent? ›

Milia are harmless and, in most cases, they will eventually clear by themselves. In babies, they clear after a few weeks. However, in some people, milia can persist for months or longer. Secondary milia are sometimes permanent.

How do dermatologists remove milia? ›

Dermatologists, or doctors who specialize in treating skin concerns, can use several different methods for milia removal. Depending on the type, location, and amount of milia, your healthcare provider may recommend removing milia by manual extraction, laser ablation, chemical peels, or cryotherapy.

Can you get milia on your private area? ›

Milia (singular: milium) are benign and transient subepidermal keratin cysts that present as small firm white papules in various numbers most commonly distributed on the face, but they can also be present on other anatomical areas such as the upper trunk, extremities, and genital area (prepuce).

How do estheticians get rid of milia? ›

Dermatologists and medical aestheticians can expertly remove milia during an in-office procedure. Your doctor can do it with a comedone extractor, tiny milia removal needle, or lancet.

How to remove milia naturally? ›

There are many different ways to treat and remove milia. Some home remedies include using a warm compress, milkweed extract, retinoid cream, exfoliating cleanser, or essential oils. You can also try over-the-counter treatments that contain salicylic acid.

Can salicylic acid remove milia? ›

Salicylic acid is a common active ingredient in over-the-counter acne medications. It works by dissolving the outer layer of skin, which helps to unclog pores & prevent future breakouts. Salicylic acid can also be used to treat milia, which are small white bumps that often appear on the face.

What happens if you pop milia? ›

Milia form under a thin layer of skin and not in a pore. That means there is no opening in the skin to squeeze the plug out. Never try to pop or otherwise extract milia yourself. It won't work, and it can cause infection, serious skin damage, and even permanent scarring.

Does Vaseline help milia? ›

Avoid heavy, oily eye creams and vaseline in the undereye area or on the nose as these can contribute to milia formation. Protect your skin from the sun and remember that patience and consistency is key to getting good long-term results.

How do you remove milia with a needle? ›

People may also refer to manual extraction as de-roofing. It involves a professional using a sterile needle or blade to cut a tiny opening in the top of the milia. They will then push out the keratin plug. Individuals should not attempt this at home, as doing so may lead them to develop an infection.

Can lemon juice remove milia? ›

Some closed comedones are visible on the white head. They are known as milia. You can try some home remedies with lemon juice to get rid of them , just plunge a cotton ball into lemon juice and use the juice on the face,keep it for 15 to 20minutes and then wash your face with cold water.Do it daily before bed at night.

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