What causes milia and how do you get rid of it?
Milia causes and treatments, West Malling, Kent
Do you have tiny, white bumps on your skin that just won’t go away, no matter what you do? If so, you may be dealing with a common skin condition known as milia. While milia can be frustrating, understanding the causes and learning about effective treatment options can help you effectively manage and eliminate these pesky bumps. In this blog post, we’ll explore what milia are, what causes them, and how to tackle them.
What is Milia?
Milia, also known as milk spots, are small, white or yellowish cysts that typically appear on the face, although they can occur on other parts of the body as well. These bumps are usually 1-2 millimetres in diameter and form when dead skin cells become trapped beneath the surface of the skin, forming tiny cysts. Milia are common in people of all ages, including newborns, children, and adults.
What causes Milia?
The most common cause of milia is the retention of dead skin cells on the skin’s surface. When these cells do not slough off naturally, they can become trapped and form cysts. Injuries to the skin, such as burns, blistering, or long-term sun exposure, can lead to the formation of milia. When it comes to the eye area specifically, when skincare doesn’t penetrate properly, primary milia can manifest. Unlike skin on the rest of the face, the eye area does not contain oil glands that can help keep this skin moist, and it has limited blood circulation – therefore eye creams need to be specialised so they can be absorbed properly.
Another increasingly common cause is people slathering their skin with petroleum jelly, a skincare trend popularised by social media known as ‘slugging’. The idea is to lock in moisture and prevent dehydration. While this does make sense for some skin types and your skin may feel smoother, slugging can cause milia.
Some individuals are just genetically predisposed to developing milia, making them more prone to this condition.
Can I get rid of milia at home?
Attempting to squeeze or remove the milia yourself may irritate and cause damage to the skin without being able to remove the problem. Squeezing them with your bare hands is a big no-no – as is taking any tools to the milia. You don’t want to damage your skin with poor removal techniques.
Visit a professional to remove your milia
A skincare professional can perform a procedure called “lancing” to extract milia using a sterile needle or a scalpel. But this should only be carried out by a professional to avoid the risk of infection or scarring. Mild chemical peels can also help remove the top layer of dead skin cells, revealing smoother skin and reducing the appearance of milia.
At home, you can help to prevent new milia from forming by using ingredients like retinol to accelerate the skin’s cell turnover rate, thereby promoting the removal of dead skin cells, and preventing milia formation. Limiting your intake of cholesterol-rich foods (such as meat and eggs), taking vitamin D supplements, avoiding heavy oil-based make-up and limiting sun exposure will also help in preventing milia.
If you’d like more help, click here to enquire or to book a consultation with an expert practitioner.
Disclaimer: Please be aware that results and benefits may vary from patient to patient taking into consideration factors such as age, lifestyle and medical history.
