Milia Treatments At A Glance
- Best Results1-3 treatments
- Treatment Recovery1-3 days
- Procedure Time10 to 20 minutes
- Skin SpecialistNurse, dermal therapist
- Duration of ResultsMonths to years
- AnaestheticNumbing
- Back to WorkImmediately
- Cost$ (Nurse/Dermal therapist)
Milia Treatments
Milia are common bumps that occur around the eyes. They can be secondary to occlusive moisturizers or laser resurfacing. Most commonly there is no known cause however milia can be seen in families. Treatment options include extractions with instruments, lasers & peels.
FactsFacts on Milia
- Milia are hard balls of keratin that lie under the skin’s surface
- Occlusive moisturizers can lead to milia formation
- Unlike zits, the core of milia consists of hard protein
- This means milia are harder to squeeze out compared to pimples
- Simple treatments include chemical peels, microdermabrasion & needle extractions
- Exfoliating regularly can reduce & prevent milia formation
- Microdermabrasion can treat & reduce milia
What are Milia Treatments?
Milia is a term to describe the accumulation of keratin beneath the skin’s surface. Milia can be located anywhere on the body, however, they are more common around the eyes.
Milia can be confused with whiteheads, cysts & syringomas.
What simple steps can you do at home to treat milia?
Product guide: Use a less occlusive moisturizer if you are prone to milia, consider lotions or serums over creams/ointments.
Exfoliate once a week. Consider a physical exfoliant such as Clarisonic or gentle pads. Chemical exfoliants include AHAs such as glycolic acid or lactic acid washes or serums. Skin care products that can help include retinol & retinoids. These take time to work, so be patient.
Can milia be due to my products?
Yes, occlusive moisturizers are often the culprit. This can occur if you are using a body moisturizer on the face. Creams & ointments can give rise to milia, whilst lotions & serums are less occlusive. Consider swapping your moisturizers if you are prone to milia.
Can I pop milia?
Most milia lie deep in the epidermis, unlike blackheads & pimples. Keratin is also much harder than pus. Unless you have a super steady hand, milia treatment at home can be tricky.
Using a sterile 30-gauge needle can ‘flick’ the surface skin, leaving a track for milia to escape. Just don’t hit your eyeball with the needle if you are contemplating a DIY job. If you are prone to milia, consider swapping your skin care products. Some milia go away on their own within 4 to 8 weeks.
View our Treatment Gallery
How can I prevent milia?
The correct use of products can prevent milia. The use of light moisturizers, gentle exfoliation & retinoic acid products can markedly reduce milia formation.
Regular microdermabrasion, chemical peels or Hydrafacials can reduce milia formation.
Who should I see for milia extractions?
Your aesthetician or beautician can look after milia. If you have tricky milia & would like them removed, book to see one of the dermal therapists at Clinic Cutis. We employ microdermabrasion, AHA, BHA & retinoic acid peels to effectively manage this common condition.
Retinoids are one of the most widely prescribed drugs for treating skin conditions. Uses include acne & anti aging all the way to genetic disorders of cell turnover
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🔬Skin science: Retinoids exert their power through interactions with retinoid receptors known as RAR or retinoic acid receptors. In the skin, gamma is the most prevalent, hence why I have changed my prescription habits & favor a fourth generation retinoid called trifarotene (gamma specific retinoid)
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👍🏻Tips: start with an OTC formulation. Retinol 0.5-1% is a good starting point. From there understand your skin’s threshold & know how to modulate & optimise topicals 💯
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📖My practice: I prescribe topical retinoids to a small minority of patients (in the context of anti-aging), usually post laser or deep chemical peels. Your dermatologist may have a different algorithm. Prescription retinoids are tricker to use cf OTC, but with a sensible approach, most people will work it out. More on how to use in next week's post
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😎Davin Lim
Dermatologist
Brisbane🇦🇺
#retinoids #retinol #skinscience #skincarecommunity #retinoicacid #skincaretips #drdavinlim #dermatologistbrisbane
Retinoids are widely used in dermatology
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🔬Skin science: Retinoids can treat #acne, oily skin, enlarged pores, congestion, & #blackheads. They play an important role in antiaging. Dermatologists also employ retinoids to treat cancers, as well as psoriasis & a myriad of other conditions
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👍🏻Tip: start off with a good formulation of retinol before moving on a prescription retinoid. If you have not used retinol before, start off at 0.5% every second night, increase as tolerated. Once your skin can tolerate 0.5% (usually within 4-12 weeks), move on 1.0%.
The majority of people using prescription retinoids such as tretinoin, #adapalene & #tazarotene will have mild symptoms such as stinging, & flaking, as well as signs such as scaling, flaking & redness. Know your threshold. Most will build up tolerance over a period of 4 to 10 weeks
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😎Dr Davin Lim
@drdavinlim
Dermatologist
Brisbane🇦🇺
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#dermatologistbrisbane #dermatology #drdavinlim #davinlim #skincare#retinol #retinoicacid #retinoids #cosmeticbrisbane #cosmetics #laserpeel #vitamina #skinscience #skincarescience #dermalscience #instaskincare #retinylpalmitate
#theformulated
Retinoids are one of the most prescribed molecules in dermatology
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🔬Skin Science: Retinoids are derivatives of vitamin A. They are useful in the management of a myriad of skin conditions ranging from #acne, oily skin, photodamage, pigmentation, #rosacea, disorders of keratinisation, #psoriasis, hair disorders, benign tumors, #skincancer & even skin lymphomas. No fluffy #retinols in medical dermatology
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👌🏻Cosmetics & retinoids: OTC retinoids / retinol derivatives still from the foundation of skincare actives. My most commonly prescribed formulation is actually retinoic acid, in a cosmetic base, with a concentration of 1-5%. This retinoic acid peel is classed as a superficial chemical peel. It is an in office peel
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🔫🪡Transepidermal Delivery: Can be enhanced by simple lasers such as CO2, erbium, thulium or basic microneedling. This enhances penetration of retinoic acid (5% to the base of the epidermis)The result? The mother of all peels… for 14 to 25 days. Not for the faint hearted. To understand what peel is best suited for skin type & concerns, book an appointment with my clinical team @cliniccutis💯
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😎Davin Lim
Dermatologist
@the.formulated
@101.skin
Brisbane, 🇦🇺
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Disclaimer: I only perform scary medium to deep peels, namely high strength #TCA, Jessner TCA, phenol - phenol croton oil peels. For superficial peels, book in with my nurses
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#skincarejourney #dermatology #drdavinlim #davinlim #theformulated #skincarescience
#skinscience #skincarecommunity #instaskin #skinstagram #dermatologistbrisbane #cosmeticdoctorbrisbane #skincareroutine #skintips #skincare2021 #retinoltips #retinoidtips #retinolskincare #retinolroutine #retinolskintips #retinods
This guide was first coined by Kate Sommerville, resonated by the great Caroline Hirons then repurposed by me. Holds true for the majority of people with a few exceptions. See below👇🏻👇🏻👇🏻
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🔬📚There are many types of retinoids, including prescription topicals as well as retinol, retinyl palmitate, retinaldehyde and granactive formulations (hydroxypinnacolone retinoate)
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👀Function: Retinoids are essential for #healthyskin. They regulate cell turnover, play a role in oil production, skin inflammation, immune function & regulation of skin pigmentation
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👉Use: limited by skin irritation. Related to concentration, & patient factors as well as co-application of ingredients such as AHAs, BHAs, ascorbic acid. If you understand your skin’s irritation threshold, the use of AHA-BHAs can be useful to increase the efficacy of topicals as it aids in penetration.💯
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🦮👨🦯Guide: In the context of anti-aging, this application frequently holds true. Exception is if you have #acne. In this context, nightly use (as tolerated) , even in your teens is advocated. Another time in one’s life to modify retinol-retinoid application is around menopause where flushing & blushing may increase your skin’s sensitivity. Though rules are great as a guide, always pay attention to what your skin is telling you
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🎬📒Action: If you are really serious about skin care, buy Caroline Hiron’s book entitled ‘Skin Care. It retails for around 30 bucks. It will save you many years, tears & lots of coin- as well as a trip or two to a dermatologist. Buy it. Read it twice. Follow it🙏🏼🙏🏼
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😎Dr Davin Lim
Dermatologist 🇦🇺
#theformulated #drdavinlim #skincarescience #skinscience #dermalscience #instaskincare #carolinehirons #katesommerville #granactiveretinol #retinyl #skincareroutine #bestskincare #skincareguide #skincaretips #skincarerules #retinol #retinoids #acnetips #antiagingskincare #antiaging #antiagingroutine
How do we treat milia?
Most cases can be ‘flicked’ with a sterile needle. Simple, painless, effective. Other methods we employ include lasers (overkill) & microdermabrasion.
Chemical peels including retinoic acid 1 to 2% peels monthly can reduce recurrence. Book an appointment with our dermal therapist @cliniccutis.
Disclaimer: I do not treat milia, even if they are on your eyelids. Best see a nurse or dermal therapist.
What is the best exfoliator for milia?
The ideal exfoliation will depend on your skin sensitivity. Most people can tolerate retinols. Combining a physical exfoliator such as brushes, sponges & mitts once a week, together with AHAs or salicylic acid washes can improve milia.
What is a simple skin care routine to reduce milia formation?
Exfoliate once a week with an AHA wash or AHA BHA combination wash.
Apply retinol or better still topical retinoids to milia prone areas. If you are using topicals on your eyelids, dilute ¼ active to ¾ light facial moisturizer.
Moisturize with a light lotion & reduce creams & other ‘heavy moisturizers.’
What medical conditions can cause milia?
Essentially any condition that separates the dermis from the epidermis can give rise to milia. Medium to deep chemical peels & ablative laser resurfacing are iatrogenic examples. Other medical conditions include familial milia, blistering conditions such as porphyrias, bullous pemphigoid, EBA, EB, DEB, phototoxic drugs, photodermatoses, burns, & many others. Medically induced milia should be managed by a medical dermatologist (not me).
Davin’s Viewpoint: Milia
Milium or milia are common causes of white dots & lumps, they are not to be confused with eccrine or adnexal tumours like syringomas.
These lumps contain keratin (hard protein like material). Unlike zits & pustules, milia can be difficult to remove. Aestheticians, beauticians & dermal therapists employ needle extractions, microdermabrasion & peels to deroof milia.
A good skin care routine consisting of AHAs, BHAs & retinoic acid-retinol can reduce or prevent milia formation. Be guided by your skin care expert.
Disclaimer: I do not remove milia, even on the eyelids. My day job is surgical, complex lasers, deep peels & injectables.
