This post was contributed by a community member. The views expressed here are the author's own.

Community Corner

Tips on Removing the Skin Condition Called Milia

The tiny facial white bumps can be handled with some home-based remedies.

It seems there is a minor epidemic of little annoying white bumps popping up on women's faces. No, they are not acne, whiteheads, or eczema, they are little keratin filled cysts called "milia".  

Milia are sometimes seen on the faces of newborn babies and usually, they disappear after a few weeks.  

Milia are also seen under and around the eyes. But the milia we see on adult faces are almost always caused by sloughed off skin cells that have nowhere to go.  They become trapped under the surface and since they are really tiny cysts, they have no pore to express the matter trapped within. 

Find out what's happening in Sayville-Bayportwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

Some theorize that they are caused by sun exposure, but I think that's bogus. We love to blame the sun for everything, but in this case, I think it's more a question of too many layers of dead cells having nowhere to go. Milia are more usually seen in women, since we wear foundation and use skin clogging moisturizers and creams.

Men shave every day and so they are literally scraping the skin surface  free of dead cells as well as their beards. Milia will sometimes resolve on their own, but many times a dermatologist can express them using a sterile needle. As always, I have away to get rid of them without resorting to this process. First, be sure they are actually milia and not some other condition that may indicate a health concern.

Find out what's happening in Sayville-Bayportwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

Once you have done that,  get yourself a clean washcloth and soak it in hot water.  Not scalding, but more than lukewarm. Place the cloth over the face and let it steam for a few moments until you see a pink glow to the skin. 

Now, using a gentle exfoliating cleanser, rub lightly in a circular motion, all over the face.  Remember, this is your face, not the kitchen floor, no need to scrub!  Do this every day, once a day. Rinse well, just as in my acne program, 35 times with splashes of warm water.  Now take a clean cotton pad and pat your face with Witch Hazel.

There are a couple of ways you can continue, either using a retinol based cream, Roc makes a two part system that is inexpensive and effective,  or retinol skin pads, or you can try Naturalis mila treatment cream, which is something of a "milia miracle." Spread the cream over the face and let it soak in. You can also use vitamin A straight from the capsule, but remember if you are taking vitamin A by mouth, keep your  total dosage under 50,000 IU's daily. 

Please test these products on a small patch of skin for 24 hours before you apply them all over your face. No need to have a nasty reaction on top of milia!  If you are non-reactive, do this every day and in a couple of weeks you will see the milia disappearing. Be patient. They took time to develop and it takes time to get rid of them. 

Be sure to continue to exfoliate regularly in order to keep milia at bay.  As long as you remove the dead skin cells, they will not form. I have had some brave or foolhardy souls extract them themselves, but I really don't recommend this.

Removal is the domain of the Dermatologist and minor surgical procedures are best left to those who have been trained.  You can get a nasty infection that will make milia look like a blessing even if you think you are using sterile procedures.

Please don't use this program for anyone under 18 years old.  Milia in children will usually resolve on their own and never, never do this to an infant.  This is a program for adults only!  

Dr. Kleine regrets she cannot give advice by phone or e-mail.  For an appointment call 631. 472. 8139 or e-mail us at Drfootsi@myway.com

We’ve removed the ability to reply as we work to make improvements. Learn more here

The views expressed in this post are the author's own. Want to post on Patch?