Last updated on December 2nd, 2023 at 01:05 am
Milia, which people in Turkey sometimes call “milialar,” are little, white, or yellowish bumps that tend to show up on the skin, especially near the eyes and on the eyelids.
These small bumps are made of a substance called keratin, which is found in the outer part of the skin. They are not the same as acne. Even though they are really small and do not cause any harm, many people who want their skin to look nice and smooth might find these tiny bumps annoying.
Continue reading to find out more about Milia, why they happen, and how you can make them better.
Table of Contents
What is Milia and How Do They Occur?
Milia or Milialar are white or yellowish bumps that often appear on the skin, especially near the eyes and on the eyelids. These bumps are made of keratin, which is a kind of protein in the outer part of our skin. Unlike pimples, these bumps do not have anything to do with oil or dirt.
Milia are usually not a problem and do not cause pain. But some people might not like how they look, especially if they want their skin to be really smooth.
These bumps are made when our skin does not get rid of old skin cells like it should, and they get stuck under the surface.
Different Types of Milia
There are two main types of Milia: primary and secondary.
Primary Milia
Primary milia are often seen in newborns, and they usually appear on the baby’s face not long after they are born. The great thing is that primary milia usually go away on their own within a few weeks. So, if you see these small bumps on your baby’s skin, there is usually no need to be concerned.
Secondary Milia
Secondary milia are different. They can affect people of any age, not just babies. These bumps do not usually go away on their own, and they tend to stick for a while. They can be caused by various things, like scrapes or burns, and sometimes by certain skincare products that are heavy or oily.
Secondary milia look quite similar to primary milia. They are small, white, or yellowish cysts that typically appear just under the skin’s surface.
These cysts can be seen on various parts of the face, including the cheeks and around the eyes, but they can also develop on other areas of the body.
Causes of Secondary Milia
Secondary milia happen for specific reasons, and here are some common causes:
- Skin Injuries: Secondary milia can show up when your skin gets hurt, like from burns or scrapes. Sometimes, when your skin heals after an injury, it can form these little bumps.
- Medical Procedures: Sometimes, secondary milia can show up after certain medical treatments, such as dermabrasion or laser resurfacing. They can also appear if you have been using certain skin creams or ointments with steroids for a long time.
- Skincare Products: Certain products you use on your skin, especially heavy or oily ones, can lead to secondary milia. This can happen when these products block your skin’s pores, stopping it from getting rid of old skin cells as it should.
Milia vs Other Skin Condition
Let’s look into how you can differentiate milia from other skin diseases;
Painless and Non Itchy
Milia do not hurt, and they won’t make your skin itchy. Some other skin troubles can make you uncomfortable, but milia usually do not.
Popping
Trying to pop milia is not a good idea. When you pop a pimple, you get some gooey stuff out. But with milia, nothing really comes out, and you might just end up with redness or a scar. That is not the case with acne.
Location
Milia often appear around the eyes and on the eyelids, mostly on the face. But acne can pop up anywhere on your face or even on your body.
What are Milia’s Symptoms?
The primary signs of milia are the small, white, or yellowish bumps on the skin. They do not hurt, and they do not make you want to scratch. But if you try to pop them, some people might see a bit of redness or irritation in that spot.
Remember, though, it is not a good idea to try and remove milia at home because it can lead to skin problems or scars. It is better to talk to a skin expert for help and advice.
How to Cure Milia?
The treatment of milia typically depends on the type and location of the milia. Here are some common ways
Using Special Creams to Help with Milia
Doctors suggest strong creams or gels with retinoids to deal with milia. These creams work by making your skin get rid of old cells and replace them with new ones.
This helps to clear up those trapped cells causing the bumps. They also stop your skin from getting clogged with dead cells, which means fewer new bumps can show up.
But remember, it might take a bit of time to see results, so you have to keep using the cream as the doctor says.
Extracting
The job of removing these tiny bumps usually goes to skin experts like dermatologists or skilled skincare professionals.
During the extraction process, they make a really tiny cut on your skin right where the milia are. But do not worry, the cut is so small that they do not need to use stitches. After making that small cut, they carefully take out the milia.
The great thing is that this extraction is fast and gets the job done, making those milia vanish right away.
Laser Therapy
If you are looking for a gentle way to clear milia, then consider laser. During the procedure, a strong beam of light, like a laser, is used to target the milia directly. The laser light breaks down these tiny cysts, and it does no involve any cutting or needles.
One of the great things about laser is it does not harm your surrounding skin. However, you might need a few sessions, but it is known for its precision and long-lasting effects.
Cryotherapy
Cryotherapy is a speedy solution for milia removal. It uses super-cold liquid nitrogen to freeze and remove those tiny bumps. Liquid nitrogen’s extreme cold freezes the milia, and they go away.
It does not hurt much, but some people might feel a bit chilly during the process because of the extreme cold. The best part is that milia usually vanish right after the cryotherapy, so you do not have to wait long.
Conclusion
White or yellowish cysts that can show up on the skin, especially near the eyes and on the eyelids are called Milia. They are generally harmless, but they can be annoying for people who want their skin to look really nice and smooth.
Milia come in two main types: primary, usually seen in newborns and often go away by themselves, and secondary, which can bug people of any age and might need more attention.
To deal with milia, it is a smart idea to chat with a skin expert. They have different ways to help, like creams, taking out the milia, using laser treatment, or something called cryotherapy, which is like freezing them away. So, whether it is primary or secondary milia, there are ways to get rid of those little bumps and have skin you are happy with.
