How to Get Rid of Milia: 8 Ways

You may be able to get rid of milia with exfoliating products, prescription medications, or with the help of a dermatologist. However, treatment for milia isn’t necessary. Milia often go away in a few weeks or months.

You may decide to have milia removed if you don’t like how they look. Milia can be hard to get rid of, however, and may need to be treated for months.

1. Exfoliation

If you have just a few milia, you may want to try an over-the-counter (OTC) product that helps exfoliate dead cells from the skin’s surface.

OTC milia removal products include:

• Salicylic acid products
• Glycolic acid products
• Differin (adapalene), an acne treatment

You’ll need to use these products long term to see continued results.

2. Manual Extraction

If you have a lot of milia, they’ve persisted even after using OTC treatments, or they’re in a location that’s hard to treat with OTC products (like your eyelid), it’s best to see a skin specialist (dermatologist) rather than trying to self-treat. The most effective treatment for milia is manual extraction done by a qualified provider.

A tiny opening is made on the skin’s surface with a small surgical blade (lancet). The hard plug of material is gently pushed out through the opening with the provider’s gloved fingers or a tool called a comedone extractor.

This may sound painful, but it’s not. At worst, you’ll feel a little prick. The results of manual extraction for milia are immediate.

The procedure, sometimes called deroofing, is usually done by a dermatologist. In some cases, milia extractions are done by someone who works at a salon or skin spa (esthetician). However, some states do not allow estheticians to pierce the skin, so not all can offer this service.

3. Topical Retinoids

For milia removal, your dermatologist may recommend using a prescription topical retinoid.

Topical retinoids exfoliate the skin more effectively than OTC products. They also loosen the keratin plug in milia, helping it come to the surface and go away.

4. Antibiotics

The oral antibiotic minocycline may be prescribed to treat milia en plaque, a rare condition that causes patches of milia that cluster together to form a plaque. Although this condition is not well understood, it is believed to be caused by an overgrowth of keratin-producing skin cells.

5. Curettage

Electrodesiccation and curettage is a surgery that uses electricity to scrape off the skin. It’s mainly used to treat skin cancer, but some providers use it to treat stubborn milia.

This procedure is performed by a dermatologist or other healthcare provider. The provider will inject a local anesthetic to numb the area and use a special tool to scrape off milia. You’ll need to keep the wound covered as it heals. However, the procedure usually leaves behind a small white mark (hypopigmentation).

6. Cryotherapy

Cryotherapy is a treatment that uses frigid temperatures from liquid nitrogen to “freeze off” skin. It is a common treatment performed by a dermatologist for many skin problems.

Usually the liquid nitrogen is sprayed onto the skin. However, some dermatologists use a swab to apply it. In either case, the result is the same.

7. Laser Ablation/Resurfacing

Laser ablation/resurfacing uses small lasers to remove the outer areas of the skin. It is also called laser peel, laser vaporization, and lasabrasion.

This procedure is extremely precise in treating blemishes. The laser sends pulsating beams of light to remove unwanted, damaged skin. Unlike some other laser procedures, laser skin resurfacing typically doesn’t cause areas of lighter skin.

8. Chemical Peels

A chemical peel is when a chemical solution is applied to the skin. It exfoliates and eventually causes the skin to fall off.

Superficial or mild chemical peels may be used to remove milia. However, not all chemical peels are advised for milia removal. Medium and deep chemical peels can actually cause milia as a side effect.

Superficial chemical peels may involve the use of some of the same ingredients in OTC products including glycolic acid and salicylic acid.

Preventing Milia

The following tips can help prevent milia and improve the overall health of your skin:

• Cleansing and steaming: Regular, gentle cleansing of your face and body will help keep your skin healthy and prevent clogged pores. You may also find that steam treatments help keep your skin moisturized and pores open.
• Exfoliation: Exfoliating your skin two or three times a week can help prevent milia. Check with your healthcare provider to see which products are safe for you.
• Using sun protection: Covering your skin with clothes and wearing sunscreen can help protect your skin from the sun. To prevent milia, look for a sunscreen that isn’t too heavy and won’t clog your pores.

Summary

Milia are a cosmetic issue and don't usually require treatment. If they bother you, you can try at-home exfoliating products. If they don't respond to treatment at home, a dermatologist can perform a manual extraction, prescribe medications, or recommend procedures like laser resurfacing.

Never try to extract milia on your own. Milia can't be popped, and attempting to remove them yourself can cause complications like a skin infection.