Tiny white bumps that form and then fade on their own, maybe something you want to watch out for. Although the bumps are not quite an acne, treating them as such isn't the best idea. Milia, which are little cysts, are perfectly safe and usually go away on their own, so there's no need to worry about picking at them. However, though they are painless, some people may experience aesthetic or slight physical distress from the same and want to have it addressed. Read further to learn about some treatments for milia.
What are Milia?
Milia on the FaceMilia is characterized by the appearance of small, dome-shaped, whitish, or pearly white bumps on the skin. In most cases, they do not cause itching or pain; nevertheless, they occasionally can induce a tiny bit of discomfort and itching in a tiny percentage of people. If any of them becomes irritated or infected at any point in time, they are referred to as "inflammatory milia." The face, lips, eyelids, and cheeks are typical locations for milia, although they can also be found on other parts of the body, such as the trunk or the genital region. Milia are classified as mild skin growths. A variety of factors can cause miliaria. However, treatment for the condition should be tailored to the patient's age range.
Types of Milia
Here are some of the types of milia:
1. Juvenile Milia
It is a condition that occurs in children who have milia due to genetic problems.
2. Neonatal Milia
Neonatal Miliais a form of milia that affects newborns and tends to disappear on its own after a few weeks. These milia can be found on the face, scalp, and upper body of the affected individual.
3. Milia En Plaque
Milia En PlaqueIn this type, the milia grows several centimeters long because of autoimmune (genetic) diseases like lichen planus. They are on the eyelids, cheeks, and other places. This type can be found in teens and adults, but middle-aged women often have it.
4. Multiple Eruptive Milia
This particular form of milia is the only one that has been shown to be connected with itching. Milia Spots can be found on the face, upper body, and arms, and they typically fade on their own after a few months have passed.
5. Traumatic Milia
These are the ones that develop as a result of an injury, such as burns.
Causes of Milia
Here are the most common causes of milia which are as following:
- In babies- Infantile milium is a condition that affects babies who are just born. People often confuse it with baby acne, which is caused by hormones from the mother. But milia doesn't cause redness, swelling, or irritation in newborns. Most of the time, babies are born with it, and the condition usually goes away on its own. It is different from baby acne or infantile acne because infantile acne doesn't show up until 2 to 4 weeks after birth because of hormones in the mother's body, but milia are usually there at birth.
- In adults- Milia is caused by some kind of skin damage in this age range. Some of the damage can be minor, while other times it can be substantial or even severe. Blistering skin disorders, blistering injuries, and different types of burns are examples of severe damage. Long-term sun exposure or the use of topical steroids are examples of moderate conditions. Laser therapies and dermabrasion might cause less severe harm to the skin. As we become older, our skin loses the capacity to exfoliate itself, resulting in a buildup of keratin on the surface of our skin. As a result, milia in older people can be caused by both aging and exposure to UV rays.
Treatments for Milia
Have a look at the possible treatments for milia on the face:
- In most circumstances, milia fade gradually over time, but this process might take months or even years in certain cases. To remove milia, a small incision must be made in the skin to collect the cyst's contents; they cannot be squeezed out like a pimple.
- Milia can be prevented from reappearing by thoroughly removing makeup before bedtime and exfoliating with a quality product on a regular basis. Milia that already exist, however, cannot be removed by this method. Sugar combined with natural oil, such as coconut oil, can be used to make your own exfoliating treatment, which can be used as a natural remedy to prevent milia.
- Rinse with clean, warm water after massaging the product into the skin. At least once or twice a week, use your exfoliator.
- Using topical retinoids or milia treatment creams is one of the most popular treatments for milia.
- Cysts can be eliminated and removed by laser therapy.
- Deroofing with sterile equipment to empty the cysts of keratin.
Prevention
The easiest way to avoid developing milia is to maintain a regular skincare regimen. Maintaining healthy skin, whether or not you are actively dealing with milia, requires the following steps:
- Make sure your skin is protected from the sun. Use sunscreen with at least 30 SPF on a regular basis. The sun's rays can wreak havoc on your skin, so it's important to apply sunscreen every day.
- A good rule of thumb for washing your face is to do so at least twice daily. Keeping your skin clean and promoting healthy skin turnover can be as simple as washing your face in the morning and at night.
- Apply an exfoliant. When used two to three times per week, an exfoliant may be helpful for your skin to rid itself of those pesky, unwanted dead cells and help prevent the formation of milia.
Takeaway
Milia is a harmless condition that happens when your dead skin does not fall off, leaving hard cysts under the surface of your skin. You can choose to take care of it for appearance or let it go its own way. The best way to avoid milia is to take care of your skin, but if you do get them, your dermatologist can help you eliminate them and prevent them from returning. Read about the treatments for milia and see what works best for you.
FAQs
Q. Should I pop the milia on my face?
A. Absolutely not! Milia is not acne that you can pop in order to get rid of it. Doing so will damage your skin.
Q. Will milia go away on its own?
A. Yes, it takes time but it gradually goes away.
Also Read: Cystic Acne: Causes And Treatment
