woman with milia

Can You Get Rid of Milia?

Learn about treatments to get rid of milia, tips to protect the skin and an adapted skincare routine for skin prone to milia grains.

What's in this article:

Milia, also known as milia grains, due to their grain-like appearance, are small, white or yellowish bumps that appear on the face and body. One of the most common areas for milia to appear is the area around the eyes.
Unlike whiteheads or acne, milia aren't caused by sebum clogged pores or bacteria but by trapped Keratin and dead skin cells under the skin.

What Causes Milia?

woman treating milia

Milia grains form when dead skin cells become trapped beneath the skin's surface and harden into small cysts. Several factors contribute to their development, including:

  1. Skin trauma from injury, cosmetic procedures, or sun damage
  2. Prolonged use of topical corticosteroids
  3. Genetic or autoimmune conditions
  4. Increased prevalence in infants, children, and older women

While these are common causes, the exact reason why some individuals develop milia while others do not remains unclear.

Can Milia Disappear on Their Own?

Milia can sometimes disappear on their own without treatment. This occurs when trapped dead skin cells gradually make their way to the skin's surface and shed naturally.
This process can take some time, but can be helped by the use of a proper skincare routine including exfoliants.
Persistent milia may require professional intervention. Dermatologists can use treatments or perform interventions to remove stubborn milia.
How to Get Rid of Milia?

Milia Treatment and Removal:

Because milia grains are located under the skin, it's very difficult to remove them with cosmetic treatments. Their removal usually requires specialized treatments such as cryotherapy, laser surgery, dermabrasion, chemical peels and medication.
young woman applying Nivea cream

However, certain exfoliating ingredients may help the natural elimination of milium grains:

Salicylic Acid, helps loosen and remove dead skin cells, promoting natural skin cell renewal.
Glycolic Acid is a small alpha-hydroxy acid, which means it is easily absorbed. It eliminates dead surface skin cells and accelerates cell renewal.

 

Skincare Habits to Avoid with Milia:

Never try to remove milia grains by squeezing the skin. It's impossible to get them out this way, as they're trapped under the skin. Squeezing them can damage the skin and entail a number of risks:

  • Infection: 
    Breaking the skin's surface can introduce bacteria, leading to infections that may require medical intervention.

  • Scarring: 
    Squeezing can cause trauma to the skin, resulting in scars that may be difficult to treat and could worsen the appearance of the affected area.

Skincare for Skin Prone to Milia

Although there are no cosmetic products specifically designed to remove milia, maintaining healthy skincare habits can support your skin’s overall condition. Milia often resolve naturally over time, but you can take steps to care for your skin and help prevent irritation or other skin issues.
young woman using Nivea Derma Skin Clear Scrub

1. Gentle Cleansing

Using a gentle cleanser helps remove impurities and dead skin cells while keeping your skin balanced and hydrated. A mild cleanser is key to maintaining healthy skin without causing irritation or stripping away natural oils.

Explore NIVEA’s range of gentle cleansers, formulated to cleanse effectively while caring for your skin’s needs.

 

2. Exfoliation – In Moderation

Exfoliating once or twice a week can support your skin’s natural renewal process by removing dead skin cells. However, over-exfoliating or using harsh products can irritate the skin, so it’s important to be gentle. While exfoliation can promote smooth skin, it will not remove milia directly.

Discover NIVEA Gentle Exfoliating Scrub, which exfoliates gently, helping maintain smooth skin while preserving its moisture balance.
Face Exfoliators

3. Hydration

Keeping your skin hydrated is crucial for maintaining a strong, healthy skin barrier. Using a moisturiser that suits your skin type helps to protect against dryness and keeps your skin feeling soft and smooth. Well-hydrated skin is better equipped to handle external stressors.

NIVEA’s moisturisers can help with lasting hydration to support your skin’s natural defences.

4. Sun Protection

Daily sun protection is an essential part of any skincare routine, as it helps shield the skin from harmful UV rays. Sun exposure can weaken the skin and cause premature aging, so using a broad-spectrum sunscreen every day is important.

Try NIVEA Face Sunscreens, providing high-level sun protection to help protect your skin from UV damage.

5. Professional Help for Milia

If milia persist or cause concern, it's best to consult a dermatologist. Attempting to remove milia at home can cause damage and increase the risk of infection or scarring. Most of the time, milia will disappear on their own, and professional help can ensure safe treatment if needed.
Facts Overview

Milia

Formation: Milia are small, white or yellowish bumps caused by trapped Keratin and dead skin cells beneath the skin's surface.

Causes: They form due to factors like sun damage, the use of certain drugs or genetic causes but not to be confused with comedones or acne pimples, related to pore blockage or bacteria.

Prevention: Regular exfoliation, proper hygiene, and sun protection could help to prevent milia in some cases.

Treatment: Milia can resolve naturally, but persistent cases may need professional removal. Avoid squeezing to prevent infection and scarring.

When to Consult a Dermatologist:

Milia often disappear on their own, or sometimes with the help of cosmetic treatments such as exfoliants. However, Individuals prone to scarring or with a history of keloids should seek professional help to minimise the risk of permanent skin damage.

Summary

Milia grains are small bumps, caused by trapped Keratin and dead skin cells under the skin. They generally require no treatment, but the skin will benefit from an adequate skincare routine including daily cleansing, gentle regular exfoliation, and sun protection to prevent skin thickening. Avoiding squeezing is crucial to prevent complications like infection and scarring. Consulting a dermatologist for persistent cases ensures safe treatment with specialised products such as Salicylic Acid or Retinoids or the means to remove them. By following these steps, you could effectively manage milia and maintain clear, healthy-looking skin.

FAQ's

What is milia caused by?

The accumulation of trapped dead skin cells form cysts below the surface of your skin and cause milia.

Can milia be permanent?

Milia are harmless and, in most cases, they will eventually clear by themselves. However, in some people, milia can persist for months or longer.

Can milia grow bigger?

Milia can grow up to three millimeters in size, but they're often smaller.

Why am I suddenly getting milia?

Milia can sometimes happen because of skin damage from something like a rash, an injury, or sun exposure.

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