What is Milia and Can it be Treated?

What is Milia?

Often mistaken for pimples or “whiteheads”, Milia are clusters of tiny white spots on the skin. They are most often seen on the skin of newborn babies but can occur in people of all ages. Although generally found on the face (cheeks, eyelids, chin and nose areas), they can sometimes be found on the body, arms, and legs.

The small white bumps are tiny cysts. Milia are formed when the dead skin cells don’t shed normally. Keratin (a protein found in skin tissue, hair and nails) becomes entrapped beneath the outer layer of the skin. It hardens and then produces a tiny cyst at the base of a hair follicle or sweat gland.

Milia is not an infection like acne and therefore is not painful or itchy. If you’re experiencing white pustules or cysts surrounded by redness, inflammation and/or pain, this is likely to be acne and will need a different treatment.

Milia are Not the Same as Epstein Pearls

Epstein pearls present similarly to Milia; however, they are found only on the roof of the mouth or the gums. This condition is very common in newborn babies and is not painful or needing of any treatment.

Who is Most Likely to Develop Milia?

Milia are most common among those with skin damage, sensitive skin prone to irritation, and newborn babies. Factors contributing to Milia include:

Genetics
Skin that is prone to rashes
Frequent sun exposure that has caused burning or blistering of the skin
Autoimmune conditions
Skin conditions such as rosacea and eczema
Skin resurfacing procedures such as dermabrasion or laser resurfacing
Long-term use of topical steroid medications

Additionally, you may have an increased risk of developing Milia if you leave makeup on your skin for extended periods (this clogs the pores) and don’t follow a regular skincare routine.

Can You Prevent Milia?

Although many of the factors leading to Milia are out of our control, you can reduce the likelihood of the condition by following a proper skincare routine and treating the symptoms of other underlying conditions such as rosacea. Paying particular attention to exfoliation is a great preventative measure.

Always use a high-quality sunscreen and moisturiser to reduce sun exposure and dehydration effects on your skin.

Additionally, avoid the use of skin care products and cosmetics that contain any of these ingredients:

Paraffin oil
Petroleum oil
Liquid petroleum
Liquid paraffin
Polyethylene Glycol
Parabens
Paraffinum liquidum

How to Treat Milia?

Although there is no need for milia to be treated, adults may wish to have it removed for cosmetic reasons as it can be unsightly; particularly when attending special events. The cysts mustn’t be squeezed as this can introduce bacteria and infection, particularly in infants.

In adults, Milia usually clear up on their own within a few months but Define Laser also offers a removal procedure if required.

The procedure is fast, painless, and performed within minutes. There is no downtime other than a few small scabs that may form over the treated areas. The scabs fall off in a few days.

Usually, only one treatment is required; although rare, a touch-up may be needed.

Prognosis

Suppose you’ve found yourself wondering, “what is milia?” this article should have provided the answers. Luckily the condition is harmless and will clear up without intervention. Although it may reoccur in those who are prone to skin conditions, and in those instances, treatment may be sought.

Call Dr Watson and the team at Define Laser today to book your free consultation.