Exfoliate – Two or three times a week, you should exfoliate the skin to prevent the buildup of dry skin cells that may become trapped, forming milia. Healthline has strict sourcing guidelines and relies on peer-reviewed studies, academic research institutions, and medical associations. We avoid using tertiary references. You can learn more about how we ensure our content is accurate and current by reading our editorial policy. Secondary milia (traumatic milia): Secondary milia are small cysts that occur after damage to your skin, either from burns, rashes, blisters or sunlight exposure. They can also form as a reaction to a heavy skin cream or ointment.

If you have recurring milia, or milia that do not go away, you may be concerned more for cosmetic reasons than anything else since milia are not harmful. Aside from prevention efforts, there are some treatments you can try to remove milia. Daily exfoliation with a BHA exfoliant with salicylic acid helps to remove dead skin cells from the skin, revealing the new, soft skin that lies beneath. O'Connor, N. R., & McLaughlin, M. R. (2008, January 1). Newborn skin: Part I. Common rashes. American Family Physician, 77(1), 47–52Retinoid spot treatments – Retinoids are topical skin treatments that contain vitamin A, which is important for maintaining healthy skin because it encourages healthy cell turnover. These spot treatments should be applied to the area affected by milia once a day, typically before bed. Exfoliate the area regularly. However, avoid over-exfoliating, as daily exfoliation can irritate the skin. If you live in a state where estheticians are legally allowed to perform manual extraction, Dr. Lal says a visit to a certified esthetician who can also perform facials and other services is beneficial as well. Electrocautery Don't overload the skin with formulas that are too rich or products that cover too much. Unless your skin type requires it, go for all-in-one, non-greasy formulas.

It is very common for babies to have milia. This is because a newborn’s skin is still learning to exfoliate dead skin cells. A baby’s milia usually clear up on their own in a few weeks or months. Primary milia occur in children and adults. While they may disappear without treatment in a few weeks, they can also last for several months. A comedone extractor is a hand-held, pencil-shaped skin care tool that often has a sharp lancet on one end and a rounded extractor on the other end to treat acne lesions and milia. Kurokawa I, Kakuno A, Tsubura A. Milia may originate from the outermost layers of the hair bulge of the outer root sheath: A case report. Oncol Lett. 2016;12(6):5190-5192. doi:10.3892/ol.2016.5335It’s unlikely that you can prevent milia altogether, but you can take some steps to significantly diminish your risk, including: As milia are not spots, spot treatments (such as benzoyl peroxide) will be ineffective. Squeezing or puncturing milia is not recommended either, as the content of these lumps is not fluid, and the squeezing will actually damage the skin surrounding the milia and make them even more noticeable. THE IMPORTANCE OF GOOD SKIN CARE By far the most common form of milia, neonatal milia affects as much as 50% of children, and you may have heard these bumps referred to as milk spots. Neonatal milia is often mistaken for baby acne. However, just like milia that develops in adults and teens, these bumps are not acne, but small cysts. Milia cysts in infants usually clear up on their own.