Retinoids are a common acne treatment thanks to their ability to help exfoliate and unclog the pores. For stubborn milia, your derm may prescribe a retinoid cream or even an over-the-counter retinol like DIFFERIN Gel to help exfoliate the skin and speed the cell turnover process along.
Adolescents and adults might be concerned about what milia do to their appearance. In these cases, there are ways that a doctor can remove them. These include medical therapies such as regular application of adapalene gel which is over the counter or tretinoin cream which is a prescription.
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A super-easy and very effective way to get rid of milia is to regularly apply a topical retinoid to the affected area.
An over-the-counter exfoliating cosmetic with salicylic acid, alpha hydroxy acid, or a retinoid can help remove the dead skin cells. Baby skin is too delicate for lotions, oils, or other cosmetics. Wash your baby's face with warm water and baby soap daily and then pat the skin dry. Wait for the milia to clear.
Products that boost exfoliation and cell turnover keep the skin smooth and thin, thereby eradicating milia and preventing them from recurring. I highly recommend Skinceuticals Micro-Exfoliating Scrub, which is gentle enough to use daily without leaving the skin overly dry or irritated.
“If you're an adult with milia, you might try an over-the-counter exfoliating treatment that contains salicylic acid, alpha hydroxyl acid or a retinoid such as adapalene,” Dr. Piliang says. “These can improve the skin's natural turnover by removing the dead cells, and may help the bumps go away faster.”
A sterilized needle carefully removes the milia from under your eyes. Cryotherapy. Liquid nitrogen freezes the milia, destroying them. Cryotherapy is the most frequently recommended way to get rid of milia.
Keep in mind that everyone has naturally different skin types (oily, dry, or a combination), so if you overdry your skin or make it too oily, you could increase the chances of milia. You should ask a dermatologist to recommend products for your skin type.
Primary or secondary milia in an adult may disappear on their own, but your doctor may treat you with one of the following: Piercing each milium with a sterile lancet or scalpel followed by removal of the cyst material with a tool called a comedone extractor.
Treatment for milia
In newborns, you don't need to treat milia with creams or ointments, because they'll go away by themselves without any treatment. They usually go away within weeks or months after birth. They don't leave scars so don't try to burst them. Be patient and wait for them to go away naturally.
Marchbein also adds that if you're someone who is prone to milia, you should try using a combination of oil-free, non-comedogenic products (looking at you, CeraVe and Cetaphil), along with a cream containing a retinoid. This one by Paula's Choice absorbs quickly and also goes to work on fine lines and dark spots.
Estheticians can only perform cosmetic procedures that work on superficial layers of the skin. And, although regulations vary, in most states estheticians cannot remove milia (those pesky little white bumps). To remove milia, the skin needs to be pierced with a sharp instrument called a lancet.
These create a barrier on the surface on the skin which is the last thing you need when you want to get rid of milia. Mila are not caused by bacteria as some might think – it isn't a spot, so it's important not to treat it like one, your salicylic, benzoyl peroxide, lavender and tea tree are not going help.
When it comes to preventing milia, it's all about exfoliation, exfoliation, exfoliation! You want to maximise your cellular turnover, so things like chemical peels, topical retinoids, alpha hydroxy acids (AHAs), beta hydroxy acids (BHAs), charcoal, mud masks, micro abrasion and vitamin C are amongst the recommended.
The most common procedure for milia removal is de-roofing. Dermatologists use a sterile needle to remove the tiny flap of skin trapping the keratin flake inside the pore. They then squeeze or prick out the flake. A less-common practice is curettage, which is a form of electrosurgery.
Milia are common in newborns but can occur at any age. You can't prevent milia. And no treatment is needed because they usually disappear on their own in a few weeks or months.
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 sometimes longer. Secondary milia are sometimes permanent.
"The biggest side effect of using the wrong moisturizer is developing milia, little hard white bumps on the face in random areas," said Dr. Forney. "This is very common if [you're] using a body moisturizer on the face but can also happen with moisturizers which are too heavy."
“For adults, they will typically disappear over time, as well, but sometimes they can persist for longer.” If you've got milia that won't seem to go away, Dr. Thompson suggested exfoliating regularly with a peel or treating them cosmetically with a topical retinoid (such as tretinoin or adapalene) for several weeks.
If you typically have milia around your eyes, then that eye cream you're using might be too heavy for your skin type. Choose serums instead since they penetrate deep into the skin without blocking the pores. Or if you are bent on using cream, use products with Hyaluronic acid that is gentle on this delicate area.
A dermatologist can also help remove milia if they are irritated or if they bother you cosmetically.” In the dermatologist's office, removal is easy, adds Dr. Fenske. “They're very superficial, but you can't really squeeze them out.
Microdermabrasion alone is in credibly effective for treating comedones and milia. Generally, people have microdermabrasion once a week for two or three months. If retinoic acid and exfoliation are not working to control milia, a dermatologist can extract them.