How to Get Rid of Milia, According to a Dermatologist

They look like whiteheads, they cluster around your eyes and nose, and popping them seems like the obvious fix. Except it isn't, and dermatologists want you to stop.

If you're thinking of popping those tiny white bumps around your nose and eyes, don't. That can actually make it worse.

That cluster of white bumps is not whiteheads, and it's also not acne. They're called milia, small cysts filled with keratin, a protein naturally found in skin, hair and nails.

"Milia typically appear as small, firm bumps underneath the surface of the skin," says dermatologist Aegean Chan, MD. Unlike a clogged pore, milia have no opening to the skin's surface, which is part of what makes them tricky to treat.

Milia can develop at any age, but they're especially common in newborns, occurring in about 40% of babies.

For adults, they're usually linked to sun exposure, burns, long-term steroid cream use, or skin resurfacing procedures like dermabrasion or laser treatments. Thick, heavy skincare products can also contribute.

The good news is milia in babies and children usually clear up on their own within a few weeks. In adults, small milia can sometimes fade with frequent exfoliation, using retinol or salicylic acid products. (Source: Cosmopolitan)

But for tougher milia, Dr. Chan recommends seeing a dermatologist who can manually remove them rather than squeezing them out yourself. Attempting to pop them at home can cause trauma and scarring, since these hard-to-remove milia sit much deeper in the skin.

Milia are generally harmless, so there's no need to panic if you spot one. Just don't pop it. With a little patience, and maybe some retinol or salicylic acid in your routine, most milia fade on their own. If they stick around or bother you, a dermatologist can safely remove them.