Because milia form under a thin layer of skin and not in a pore, there is no opening in the skin to squeeze the plug out. Never try to pop or otherwise extract milia. It won't work, and it can cause infection, serious skin damage, and even permanent scarring.
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.
Gently exfoliate the area
Look for exfoliating cleansers that contain salicylic acid, citric acid, or glycolic acid. Shop for exfoliating cleansers online. Exfoliating too much can irritate the skin, so don't do it every day. Start by using an exfoliating cleanser once a week and see if it improves your milia.
Milia develop when bits of dead skin cells “get trapped below the skin and create a really hard, little, white ball,” says Neil Alan Fenske, MD, professor and chair of the department of dermatology at the University of South Florida Morsani College of Medicine in Tampa.
Milia occur under the eyes due to an excess of keratin. Gently exfoliating the area with a warm washcloth may get rid of dead skin cells and help bring trapped keratin to the surface.
First, avoid picking at or popping milia. This can cause them to become irritated and lead to infection. Second, use gentle skincare products that won't irritate the skin, and make sure to exfoliate regularly to remove dead skin cells.
“People sometimes try to remove milia themselves by popping them as they would pimples,” said Dr. Schiff. “But milia have a very hard texture, and you can't get rid of them without making an incision in the skin.” Trying to pop a milium (one cyst) can lead to scarring.
These bumps may be milia, which are small bumps that contain keratin, a skin protein. You've likely seen milia on babies' skin. Milia is very common in infants because their skin is still learning to slough off dead skin cells. While milia are common in infants, adults can get it too.
There's this tiny, white bump on your cheek. You think it's a whitehead and, naturally, proceed to pinch it. Nothing happens, besides feeling eye-watering pain because you pressed so hard. Plus, it appears to 'run' away when you apply pressure.
It usually takes around 45-60 days for cells to move from the basal layer of the skin (i.e. the innermost layer) to the surface, so it depends on how deep the milia are for how long it will take to remove them, though generally, it takes 2-3 weeks.
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.
Wet a washcloth with the hottest water you can stand, wring it out and hold it against the milia you want to remove. Step 2: Take a hypodermic needle or a milia lancet and sterilize it with rubbing alcohol. Gently poke the center of the milia. Press the area around it (like you would to extract a blackhead) gently.
The removal of milia is virtually painless and there is no need to apply a numbing cream before the procedure. Is There Any Downtime After Milia Removal?
Milia are small, superficial cysts filled with flakes of skin cells, not pus.
Causes and Risk Factors of Milia
Milia happen when the dead skin cells don't slough away. Instead, they get caught under the new skin, harden, and form a milium. Milia can also happen because of: Skin damage from something like a rash, an injury, or sun exposure.
Trapped dead skin cells that form cysts below the surface of your skin cause milia. Your body naturally gets rid of dead skin cells by shedding them to make room for new cells to grow and take their place.
Milia are little hard fatty deposits under the skin, and can indicate a vitamin or mineral deficiency, genetic factors, overuse of product, or inappropriate cleansing.
Use a physical exfoliant
Exfoliation is the most important thing you can do to get rid of milia for good. “[Physical exfoliation] with a facial brush or gentle scrub removes the top dead skin layer and will help milia open and resolve,” says Dr. Gmyrek.
Milia Treatment Options
However if they are widespread or unsightly, there are several treatments your Water's Edge Dermatology practitioner may recommend: Cryotherapy (freezing off the cysts) Deroofing (using a fine needle to pick out the contents) Laser ablation (using a laser to destroy the cysts)
Can You Pop Milia? Because milia form under a thin layer of skin and not in a pore, there is no opening in the skin to squeeze the plug out. Never try to pop or otherwise extract milia. It won't work, and it can cause infection, serious skin damage, and even permanent scarring.
“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.”
Products that can cause milia can be make-up removers not labeled oil-free or non-comedogenic, hair spray, hair mousse and gel, heavy sunscreens and some moisturizers.