What are Milia?

Milia are small bumps on the skin. They are white or flesh-coloured. Usually they are found in clusters of several milia on the upper cheeks but they can form on any part of your face or body.

They are also commonly seen in newborns, where they’re known as milk spots.

Milia are firm to the touch and they cannot be squeezed or popped. They don’t cause irritation, pimples caused by acne.

What causes Milia?

Milia form when dead skin cells or keratin (a protein that makes up the outer layer of the skin) become trapped beneath the skin’s surface. This can happen when the skin does not naturally shed these cells, leading to the formation of tiny cysts.

Why are Milia treated?

Although Milia aren’t dangerous, many people dislike having them, particularly on their face. Milia typically take a long time to disappear so, for patients who are unhappy with their appearance, they can be removed quickly through a short procedure instead.

Diagnosing Milia

Milia are quite distinctive, so a Dermatologist will examine the skin to look for their most common features.

Milia are much smaller than most other common skin lesions. They feel hard, and are usually white or yellowish. Most types of Milia do not cause inflammation and so the skin around them is not usually red or itchy. They are usually found in clusters or groups.

How are Milia removed?

Milia are usually removed by needle extraction. The skin is cleaned before a sterile needle is inserted into each milium and the contents are extracted.

At our clinic this is usually done by a skin practitioner, following a medical assessment where necessary.

Milia FAQs

Are milia contagious? Milia aren’t infectious, they are simply a build up of dead skin cells or keratin.
Can I remove milia myself at home? We do not recommend you attempt needle extraction at home; at a regulated clinic you would be treated by someone with medical training using sterile equipment in a clean environment to reduce the risk of infection, bruising and irritation.
Can I exfoliate milia away? Exfoliation may help to reduce the number of milia that form in the future, but it won’t treat existing ones. The exfoliation will not uncover the trapped material beneath the skin.