Milia can't totally be prevented. For adults, good skin care can help prevent milia and other conditions. Use sunscreen and moisturizer. Milia tends to happen when you have too much sun exposure.
Using thick products and formulas can also lead to milia development due to the clogging of pores, which is how using a thick eye cream can be a secret culprit. "Using a thicker eye cream can clog your pores, and if you're not cleansing or exfoliating properly, keratin can begin to build," says Dr. Gonzalez.
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.
Milia tends to happen when you have too much sun exposure. Your skin becomes leathery, making it harder for the dead cells to fall off. Sunscreen and moisturizer will keep your skin soft and flexible so it can replace itself the way it should.
There's no treatment necessary for infant milia. The cysts will usually clear up within a few weeks. In older children and adults, milia will go away within a few months. If these cysts cause discomfort, there are treatments that can be effective in eliminating them.
Secondary milia are cysts that develop because of skin trauma (like sunburns), and the skin is too leathery and dehydrated for dead cells to rise to the surface and slough off. If you have spent a lot of time in the sun without protecting yourself, make sure you wear a hat, sunblock, and other protective gear.
Mix 4 tablespoons of honey with a half tablespoon of cinnamon powder and apply it on your face. Leave it on for about 15 minutes and then wash off. The antibacterial properties in honey will assist in reducing milk spots on skin. Also browse through: Healing benefits of honey for skin health and beauty.
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.
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.
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 don't need to be treated, and they usually go away within a few weeks to months. But you may want to get rid of the bumps sooner for cosmetic reasons. Like any other skin abnormality, don't pick at a milium (the singular form of milia). That'll only make it worse.
How to treat milia? Milia don't have an opening onto the skin's surface, which is why they cannot be removed with a simple squeeze or pop. Attempting to pop them can lead to red, inflamed marks or scarring on the skin. Most cases disappear on their own, often lasting a couple of weeks to months.
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.
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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.
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.
Aloe vera contains anti inflammatory properties that can help in treating milia and soothing and cooling that area. To use it for this purpose, you should remove the leafy layer and use the inner gel.
Tea tree oil has anti-inflammatory and antiseptic properties the help dry out milia faster. It will also stop further infection. Mix a few drops of coconut oil and tea tree oil, and apply on the affected areas. Let it sit for 30 minutes before washing it off.
In conclusion, milia aren't harmful but they can be unsightly. If they aren't on the eyelid or under the eye, you can simply and safely remove them at home. And to prevent milia in the future, make sure to keep your face clean, especially before bedtime, gently exfoliate regularly, and avoid sunburns.
Use rose water.
Like manuka honey, its power is derived from its anti-inflammatory properties. Spritz some all over your face several times a day to refresh the skin and keep milia from becoming red and irritated.