Topical retinoids help exfoliate the skin more effectively than OTC products. Topical retinoids also help loosen the keratin plug in existing milia and help them come to the surface so they can go away.
Invest In A Retinol Night Treatment
A super-easy and very effective way to get rid of milia is to regularly apply a topical retinoid to the affected area.
Retinoid products are made from vitamin A and are known to promote faster cell turnover to help eliminate acne, and early signs of aging. It's no secret that retinoids actually work to battle off many skin concerns, and milia usually won't stand a chance against a high quality retinoid product.
"Retinols are extremely helpful in preventing and treating milia, as they increase skin-cell turnover and therefore help bring cells to the surface to prevent their formation," says Dr. Nussbaum.
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.
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.
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.
"Finish by using a lightweight moisturizer, since moisturizing replenishes the skin and hydrates your skin cells." She also recommends looking for a moisturizer with that's gel-based or lightweight, preferably with hyaluronic acid.
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.
Tips for Improving the Appearance of Delicate Eye Area Skin
You'll also want to look for a hydrating blend of moisturizing ingredients such as jojoba esters and niacinamide. Milia may be made more obvious by dark or puffy under eye circles.
Garshick and Viscusi recommend Differin's retinoid. "This OTC retinoid works to help reduce acne breakouts and can also help in the prevention and treatment of milia," Garshick says.
There are many studies proving the efficacy of tretinoin (a prescription-grade retinoid) for milia. Chemical exfoliants will penetrate the skin and draw out the buildup causing your milia.
These two anti-aging ingredients aren't entirely different. In fact, retinol is a type of retinoid. However, retinoid most often describes more powerful prescription products, while retinol generally refers to weaker over-the-counter (OTC) formulas. As board certified dermatologist Dr.
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 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.
For babies, milia usually last only a few weeks. They can persist longer in older children and adults. Secondary milia can be permanent. The scarring from improper treatment of milia, such as attempting to squeeze or scrape them off of your own face or your baby's, can also be permanent.
Retinoids reduce fine lines and wrinkles by increasing the production of collagen. They also stimulate the production of new blood vessels in the skin, which improves skin color. Additional benefits include fading age spots and softening rough patches of skin.
Let the product dry for 10 minutes, then apply a moisturizer on top before going to bed. Retinol is another milia-eradicating ingredient. Nightly use of low concentrations, like that found in Skin Medica Retinol Complex 1.0, gently increases the skin's cell turnover rate, revealing a fresh smooth layer.
“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 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.
Consistent use of well-formulated BHA exfoliants (AHAs are not effective for milia, as they cannot reach the pore) should help prevent its recurrence, but in some instances your milia will return. If that happens, management with a dermatologist/skilled aestheticitian is often the best course of action.
“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.”