LAST UPDATED: JAN 18, 2023 / By Nura / EyeCare
What are Milia?
Milia may look similar to whiteheads (both characters are small bumps on the skin), but they are not the same. Milia are keratin-containing cysts that form beneath the skin surface due to trapped sweat, keratin or oil. More commonly found around the eyes, forehead, chin, nose and cheeks, they are very common in newborns, but can also be found in adults. Milia can appear due to problems with how the sweat glands on the skin work. Scroll down to see milia images on face.
Milias are harmless and do not cause any side effects, most people simply choose to ignore them. Since they can appear due to a variety of reasons, it depends on the cause of your milia for treatment. People who wear heavy makeup can also develop milia. Sometimes, these can be small, white, or yellowish bumps. Other times, they can be clusters of small bumps. However, if your milia are painful and you don’t know what they are, it’s best you see a dermatologist.
Images of milia on face
Causes of Milia
There are a few different reasons why people get milia. The most common cause is genetics. If your mother has milia, it increases your chances of developing it. You’re also at risk if you have rosacea or eczema or a family member had it. The third common cause is sun exposure. Refer milia images above to get some grasp on how milia look like.
The occlusion of the skin due to wearing tight facemasks or heavy makeup can contribute to the formation of milia. The use of heavy-oil based skincare or makeup products can be another cause of milia. However, they can be just a cosmetic problem for some people. If you find them unsightly, you can have them removed.
Another images of milia
Types of Milia
+ Neonatal: The form of milia which occurs in babies and also considered as primary milia. Typically, it will go away within few weeks.
+ Superficial: They are round, smooth, and white, and only a few mili-meter in diameter. Picture of milia above is referring to superficial type of milia.
+ Deep: Milia are located in the dermis, the layer of skin directly below the epidermis. They can be round or oval, and white or yellow. Deep milia can also resemble cysts because they are solid, dome-shaped bumps.
+ Primary (Inflamed): Primary milia is a skin condition that occur when dead skin builds up in the pores of the skin. Mainly due to aging factor since the skin slowing down from exfoliating itself.
+ Secondary milia: Secondary milia are small white or yellow bumps that appear in an area due to infection or blister. These bumps are most commonly found on the cheeks, nose, and earlobes. This is a skin condition that is not harmful and will go away on its own.
+ Juvenile milia: Commonly formed at birth or few years old children. This type of milia related to certain syndrome disease.
+ Multiple eruptive milia: This term was given to recurrent milia that affect same area of face, arms and torso.
How to Get Rid of Milia
Milia can be unsightly, as it takes very little to get rid of them and they are almost never an indication of something more serious. It’s best to get rid of milia in the early stages before they have time to spread to other areas of your skin. Regular exfoliation, 2 to 3 times a week needed to get rid of dead skin cells and leave the pores unclog from impurities, and this help banishes milia seeds from forming. Identify your skin type before buying any exfoliation product since different skin type needs different type of exfoliator.
Milia photos above show milia location on cheek part. The best method of removing milia is by using a tool called a derma-roller. This tool is a small roller that contains hundreds of tiny needles that penetrate the skin. After the skin heals, the milia will fall off, leaving the area unharmed. There are other common methods of removing milia including use of chemical peels and dermabrasion. Retinol (type of vitamin A), can prevent the build-up of dead cells. It also can assist skin cell turn over and preventing milia formation.
Milia pics showing milia formation under eye area. Milia commonly formed around eye areas and you need special eye cream for this part of face. Unlike other skin part, eye area does not have much sebaceous gland and it is really thin. When skincare does not penetrate properly at this area, primary milia can manifest. By using specific eye cream, you can help increase firmness of this part and improve skin barrier for better absorbance of other skincare products. Use broad-spectrum protection with SPF to protect your skin from excessive exposure to UV ray.
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Treatment
You must have seen some milia popping videos from youtube and that is not the right way to remove milia from the skin. Milia can be removed in a number of different ways or using specific milia removal tool such as chemical peels, topical retinoids and skincare products.
+ Dermabrasion
Dermabrasion involves sanding away the top layer of skin to remove milia and stimulate the formation of new skin.
+ Chemical peel
Like acne, chemical peel is one of the gentle way to remove milia from the skin. A chemical peel containing AHAs and BHAs such as Salicylic Acid, Glycolic Acid and Lactic Acid can be used to exfoliate skin and remove the upper layers of skin containing dead skin and oil. If you are looking for milia removal near me, you can search from google map with a keyword milia removal chemical peel and it will guide you to the nearest skin specialist or dermatologist that provide this kind of service.
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Milia removal before and after pictures
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Best Splurge to Remove Milia
+ Drunk Elephant TLC Framboos Glycolic Night Serum, $90
As we age, our skin tends to become dull and congested due to factors such as the environment, our lifestyle habits and genes. To address these issue, Drunk Elephant TLC Framboos Night Serum is designed with a carefully crafted combination of AHAs (alpha hydroxy acids) and BHAs (beta hydroxy acids). This serum has been around for a while. It’s still one of the most effective skin care products out there. It packed with glycolic plus tartaric acid (AHA) and salicylic acid (BHA) gel formula that exfoliates, brightens the skin by loosening dead skin cells and sebum on top of the skin revealing a more radiant complexion. It has glycolic acid and BHA which exfoliates and unclogs your pores.
Drunk elephant TLC Framboos Night Serum is gentle, but it does a better job than many other exfoliating products because it also tones and retextures your skin’s surface. It can help improve skin tone, texture, fine lines, wrinkles, and brighten dull complexions by removing dark spots and hyperpigmentation. This Framboos Night Serum contain cactus extract and raspberry extract that calm, rehydrates and soothes redness and sensitivity after AHAs topical exposure while scavenging free radical activities with antioxidants.
Appearance: This product has a gel-like consistency and does not dry too quickly on the skin, which is great for those with sensitive or acne-prone skin. The sheer gel-like consistency of this serum means it absorbs quickly into your skin with less than a minute absorption rate. You can use it in conjunction with other night time treatments. The serum is also fragrance free, which means that you won’t experience any irritation or breakouts. This serum is for people who want those effects without the use of harsh acids or retinol products (which can be irritating).
You also can get this serum in PM Routine Saving Face Drunk Elephant Kit that includes Beste No. 9 Jelly Cleanser, Protini Polypeptide Cream and F-Balm Electrolyte Waterfacial Masque Hydratant.
Prevention from Milia
Image of milia on eyelid.
To prevent milia, avoid using products that can clog your pores. These include creams, moisturizers, or oils that clog pores and can cause pores to swell or become infected. Don’t pop those milia as it is not poppable. You might leave a scar if you force it to pop. If milia does not bother you, best to leave it alone as it will go away after some times.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]
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