How to Get Rid of Milia | APT Medical Aesthetics

Do you notice tiny white bumps on your face? They are not blackheads or acne.

Milia is a common skin issue that often clears on its own, but it can still feel frustrating. If you are looking for how to get rid of milia, this guide explains what helps, what does not, and how to prevent milia from coming back.

If you want to know how to remove milia under eye, it is best to avoid squeezing or picking at the bumps. A skin expert can help you choose the safest path.

What Is Milia?

Milia are tiny white bumps that usually form under the eyes, where skin is thin. They can also appear on the nose, cheeks, and other body areas.

Common causes include:

• Thick creams or harsh beauty products
• Dead skin cells that clog pores
• Skin damage from unprotected sun exposure
• Skin trauma or a reaction to laser treatment or HSV-1
• Poor sleep, weak skin care habits, and smoking
• Long-term use of topical steroid creams

Top Treatments To Get Rid Of Milia

There are many ways to get rid of milia, but squeezing or popping is not one of them. It can raise the risk of irritation, infection, and scars.

So what can you do? Here are expert tips on how to get rid of milia on the face.

Home Remedies for Milia

1. Double-Cleanse

Add double-cleansing to your daily skin care routine, especially if you wear makeup, use serums and thick creams at night, or live in the city. Start with an oil-based cleanser, then use a gentle water-based cleanser with mild scrub-like action. This can help lift extra sebum, dirt, and dead skin cells that clog pores and dull the skin.

2. Steam Open the Pores

Steaming does not remove milia that are already there, but it may help stop new bumps from forming. Steam can help the skin shed dead cells and other debris that may lead to milia.

Here is how to do it:

1. Run hot water in the shower until the room fills with steam.
2. Sit in the steam for five to ten minutes.
3. Turn off the water and wait about five minutes.
4. Dry your face with a clean towel, then rinse with lukewarm water to wash away loosened debris before you leave the bathroom.

3. Scrub the Area Gently

Gentle scrubbing can help remove dead skin build-up on your face. Do this only two to three times a week. Too much scrubbing can irritate and damage your skin.

4. Use Topical Retinoids

Some studies suggest that retinoids for milia may help clear existing bumps and may also help prevent new ones. These vitamin A derivatives can speed cell turnover and support smoother skin.

To lower the risk of skin irritation, start with a low-strength product such as retinol. Use it once a day after washing your face.

5. Opt For a Lightweight Facial Sunscreen

Unprotected sun exposure can be a major cause of milia. It can dry out skin, make it rough, and slow the skin’s natural shedding of dead cells.

Prevention is always better than a cure. If you keep asking how to get rid of milia, it is also smart to learn how to prevent milia in the first place. Wear a broad-spectrum sunscreen every day.

Cloudy or cold weather does not block all UV rays. These rays can raise the risk of milia, premature skin aging, and skin cancer.

Related article: Top Summer Sunscreen Essentials

Medical Treatments

1. Facial Peels

Next in our guide on how to get rid of milia, we have light or superficial chemical peels. Chemical peels for milia use AHAs and BHAs, such as glycolic and salicylic acid, to help clear bumps and leave skin smoother.

Also called clinical peels, this is a tried and true way to speed the skin’s natural shedding process without being too harsh. Light peels work on the top layer of skin. They help lift dead skin cells and keratin build-up and can make bumps like milia less visible.

At APT Medical Aesthetics, we offer many facial peels so you can find one that fits your skin type. Click here to learn more.

2. Laser Skin Resurfacing

For milia clusters, your doctor may suggest laser skin resurfacing treatment, such as Halo Hybrid Fractional Laser or Clear+Brilliant, to reveal clearer skin. A personal consult can help decide if laser treatment for milia is right for you.

3. De-Roofing

If home care and other treatments do not help, do not worry. Skin doctors and medical aestheticians can do professional milia removal during an office visit. This may use a comedone extractor, a tiny needle, or a lancet.

It is a quick, low-stress procedure that is usually painless and can often be done in minutes.

Q&A

Question: Is milia the same as acne or blackheads?

Short answer: No. Milia are tiny white bumps, not blackheads or acne. They can show up under the eyes, on the nose, cheeks, and other areas of the body.

Question: Should I squeeze or pop milia to remove it faster?

Short answer: No. Squeezing or popping can raise the risk of irritation, infection, and scars. If home care does not help, professional milia removal is a safer option.

Question: Which home care steps may help prevent milia from forming?

Short answer: Double-cleansing, steaming the pores, gentle scrubbing two to three times a week, topical retinoids such as retinol, and a lightweight broad-spectrum sunscreen can help. These steps reduce build-up, support cell turnover, and help prevent milia.

Question: Can steaming get rid of existing milia?

Short answer: No. Steaming does not remove existing milia. It may help prevent new bumps by opening the pores and helping the skin shed dead skin cells and irritants.

Question: When should someone consider professional treatment for milia?

Short answer: If milia stays, appears in clusters, or does not improve with home care, medical help may be the next step. Facial peels, laser treatment for milia, and de-roofing are treatment options. A consultation can help choose the right one.

APT Memberships foster long term treatment plans

Consistent care is what usually makes the biggest difference with overall skin health. An APT Membership can help support that consistency by making it easier to stay on schedule with your treatment plan and skincare check-ins.

Many patients also like memberships because they help with budgeting for long term goals. When your plan is designed to work over months (not days), spreading care out in a structured way can make it more affordable and more sustainable, while still keeping your results moving in the right direction.

If you are interested, ask our team about APT Membership options at your consultation so we can match the right long term plan to your skin, lifestyle, and goals.

Book your free consultation today!

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