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Conditions

Milia

Do you have tiny white bumps dotting your eye area? If so, you might be experiencing milia. These little bumps are filled with keratin. They’re usually white or a little lighter than your skin tone. Milia (or milium in singular) are sometimes confused with whiteheads but there are two main differences: First, milia are actually firm to the touch, while whiteheads tend to be softer. Second, milia take a lot longer to fade, and may require professional treatments.

Milia Causes 

In the majority of cases, pinpointing the precise cause of milia isn’t possible. There are a few reasons why it might show up, but the most common one is genetic predisposition.  

Secondary milia can occur after the skin has experienced trauma like excessive sun exposure, a rash, or topical corticosteroid or vitamin E overuse. 

Neonatal milia that affect newborns are also very common, but the bumps usually fade within a month and require no treatment. 

 

Best Treatments for Milia

Getting rid of milia is quick and easy! It usually takes us only one appointment to remove most milia bumps. These are our recommended treatments. 

 

Lamprobe 

Lamprobe is our go-to for removing milia as well as other minor skin irregularities. Lamprobe zaps blemishes like milia with a powerful hit of radiofrequency. The treatment only takes a couple of seconds and helps to immediately reduce milia. 

Within a few days, the bump usually disappears completely. This treatment is also effective for skin tags, cholesterol deposits, and other small but niggling skin concerns. We can treat multiple issues in one appointment!

 

Resurfacing Treatments

Clinical resurfacing treatments like  dermalinfusion, chemical peel, can also help clear milia. These treatments remove the surface layer of skin, helping to clear away the milia while encouraging skin renewal, for overall smoother, more even-toned skin. 

They can be particularly useful in cases where there is a lot of milia spread over a wide area or if you have other skin concerns like rough skin texture, blemishes, or fine lines and wrinkles. 

 

Preventative Skincare

Exfoliating skincare can help reduce and sometimes even get rid of milia. It’s a slow process since the products for use at home are not as intense as what we can use in the clinic. 

That said, those same products that can reduce milia may also help prevent it from forming in the first place. By removing dead skin buildup and keeping the pores clear, the risk of keratin plugs forming becomes smaller. 

If you’re prone to milia, you’ll also want to use gentle cleansers, sunscreen, and light moisturizers on a regular basis. We’d be happy to recommend an appropriate skincare routine for you, with clinical-grade products from brands like ZO SkinHealth, Alastin, SkinMedica or Colorescience.

Learn More About Milia Recommended Treatments & Products

Milia FAQ

It’s not safe to pop your milia. Attempting to pop any bumps or blemishes on your skin can lead to infections and scarring. Instead, it’s best to speak to a professional about removal. Services like Lamprobe are very quick and affordable, so there’s no reason to put your skin at risk.

While you shouldn’t attempt to extract milia by yourself, there are some home remedies you can try to eliminate it. Retinoids, in particular, can help renew the skin and fade the bumps. However, using at-home skincare to reduce milia is a slow process, especially compared to our “one and done” procedures at the clinic.