How to Get Rid of Milia: A Complete Guide

How to Get Rid of Milia: A Complete Guide

Do you notice tiny, white bumps on your face? Those are not blackheads or any form of acne; they’re milia. Also known as “milk spots,” they are commonly seen in babies but appear on adult skin, too. 

Although milia is merely a cosmetic issue that goes away on its own over time, many people who have them become self-conscious and frustrated as they look for ways to make them go away, or at least conceal them quickly. 

If you are concerned about this common skin issue, this article is for you. Here’s everything you need to know about how to get rid of milia for good and how to stop them from making a comeback. 

What Causes Milia?

Milia typically form under the eye area where the skin is most delicate but can also develop on the nose, cheeks, and other body parts. They are caused by several factors, including:

• Frequent use of thick and heavy creams or harsh cosmetic products
• The buildup of dead skin cells clogging your pores
• Skin damage due to unprotected sun exposure
• Trauma to the skin or an adverse reaction due to laser treatment or herpes
• Poor lifestyle habits, such as lack of sleep, bad skincare habits, smoking 
• Long-term use of topical corticosteroids 

How To Get Rid Of Milia

There are so many ways on how to get rid of milia—and no, squeezing or popping them out isn’t one of them. In fact, most skincare experts warn against doing so because they only amplify your risk of irritating and infecting your skin.

So, what can you do? Check out these expert tips on how to get rid of milia on the face.

1. Double-Cleanse

Incorporate double-cleansing into your everyday skincare routine, especially if you are always wearing makeup, applying serums and thick creams at night, or spend a lot of time in a polluted area. Double cleansing, which involves an oil-based cleanser followed by a gentle water-based cleanser, preferably with exfoliating properties, helps draw out excess sebum oil, impurities, and dead skin cells that clog the pores and dull the skin. 

2. Chemical Peels

Light or superficial chemical peels using AHAs and BHAs, such as glycolic and salicylic acid, can work wonders for banishing milia and achieving a fresh and flawless complexion. Otherwise known as clinical peels, it’s a tried and tested strategy to accelerate the skin’s natural exfoliation process without being too abrasive. The beauty of light chemical peels is that they only deal with the topmost layer of the skin, sloughing off dead skin cells and keratin formation, and reducing the visibility of blemishes, like milia. 

3. Wear Sunscreen

Unprotected sun exposure can be a major contributor to milia. It damages the skin by making it dry, rough, and leather-like, impeding its natural ability to shed dead skin cells. Combined with other risk factors, such as heavy creams or poor lifestyle habits, pores get clogged, eventually leading to milia formation. 

Always wear a broad-spectrum sunscreen. It doesn’t matter if it’s cloudy or cold outside; you still can’t skip sunscreen because there are still harmful UV rays that increase your risk not only in milia, but also premature skin aging and, worse, skin cancer. 

See our favourite sunscreen products for 2021.

4. Laser Skin Resurfacing  

For milia clusters, your doctor may recommend laser skin resurfacing treatment, like Halo Hybrid Fractional Laser or Clear+Brilliant, to reveal a blemish-free skin that glows radiantly. Also known as “lunchtime cosmetic procedures,” these treatments offer maximum results with little downtime. It only takes 30 minutes or so, depending on the scope of treatment involved. 

5.  Professional for Milia Extractions

If all else fails, don’t fret. Dermatologists and medical aestheticians can expertly remove milia during an in-office procedure. Your doctor can do it with a comedone extractor, tiny milia removal needle, or lancet. It’s a hassle-free, painless procedure that you can get done within minutes.

Consult with Our Skin Experts Today

APT Medical Aesthetics is a leading medical spa in Oakville. We believe there is no cookie-cutter approach on how to get rid of milia or other skincare issues, for that matter. Let our dedicated team help you find the best solutions with the industry’s most advanced skincare treatments. Book your free consultation today!