A dermatologist or other qualified healthcare professional can often remove individual milia relatively quickly.
Professional extraction generally involves opening the surface of the tiny cyst and carefully removing its contents using sterile equipment.
Depending on the number and location of the bumps, a professional may also recommend other treatments.
These can include procedures designed to improve skin cell turnover or address the underlying skin changes contributing to recurrent milia.
Because milia around the eyes can be particularly delicate, professional treatment is preferable to attempting extraction at home.
Can Exfoliation Help?
Gentle exfoliation may help prevent dead skin cells from accumulating on the surface of the skin.
Products containing ingredients such as salicylic acid or alpha-hydroxy acids can help improve skin-cell turnover for some people. Retinoid products may also be recommended in certain cases.
However, stronger does not mean better.
Over-exfoliating can damage the skin barrier and cause redness, dryness, burning, and irritation. Start slowly and avoid applying irritating products too close to the eyes unless they are specifically designed for that area.
People with sensitive skin should be particularly cautious.
Choose Skincare Products Carefully
If you frequently develop milia, take a look at the products you use around your eyes and face.
Very thick creams and occlusive products may not work well for everyone, particularly if you notice that bumps repeatedly appear in the same area after using a particular product.
Look for products labeled non-comedogenic when appropriate and avoid applying unnecessarily heavy layers around the eyes.
However, don’t assume that every moisturizer causes milia. Keeping the skin properly moisturized is still important for maintaining a healthy skin barrier.
Sunscreen Still Matters
See more on the next page