Manual extraction by a dermatologistOver-the-counter exfoliating skincare productsTopical prescription retinoids
This article explains the best and safest ways to get rid of milia if you want to. Note that these suggestions are for adults only.
Note that these suggestions are for adults only. Neonatal milia—bumps that appear on newborns—do not need to be treated. They will typically go away on their own in a few weeks. Products meant to treat adult skin can be harmful to newborn skin.
Manual Extractions
The most effective treatment for milia is manual extraction done by a professional. Also, the results are immediate. Sometimes called deroofing, this procedure is usually done by a dermatologist.
They make a tiny opening in the surface of the skin with a small surgical blade called a lancet. The hard plug of material is then gently pushed out through the opening with the doctor’s fingers or a tool called a comedone extractor.
It may sound like a painful procedure, but it’s not. No anesthetic is needed; at worst, you’ll feel a prick.
In some cases, milia extractions may be done by an esthetician, someone who works at a salon or skin spa. Some states don’t allow estheticians to pierce the skin, though, so not all of them are permitted to offer this service.
OTC Exfoliating Products
If you have just a few little bumps here and there, you may want to try an over-the-counter (OTC) product first.
Options include:
Salicylic acid products Glycolic acid products Differin (adapalene), an acne treatment
These products help exfoliate the skin, or remove dead skin cells from its surface.
Be ready to use them for the long haul, though. Milia are stubborn and it can take months to see any improvement.
If you have lots of milia, if they’ve been around for ages even while using OTC treatments, or if they’re in a spot that’s difficult for you to treat with OTC products (like your eyelid), see a dermatologist.
Topical Retinoid Prescriptions
If you’re prone to developing milia, and some people just are, your dermatologist may recommend you use a prescription topical retinoid.
Topical retinoids help exfoliate the skin more effectively than OTC products. Topical retinoids also help loosen the keratin plug in existing milia and help them come to the surface so they can go away.
Summary
Milia are tiny cysts that form under the skin, usually on the face. Because milia are just a cosmetic issue, the choice to treat them or not is up to you. Treatment isn’t necessary and they can go away on their own over time. If milia bother you, though, treatments can improve them.
Keep in mind that other things can cause white bumps on the skin. Unless you’re 100% sure it’s milia, you may want to have your bumps checked out by your doctor.
