Atopic dermatitis, also known as atopic eczema, is one of the most common chronic skin conditions. It presents predominantly in childhood and tends to…
Milia – treatments against skin gravel
Milia are cysts of keratin about 1-3 mm in diameter which occur due to the obstruction of a sweat duct or hair follicle. They can be classified into primary milia, which develop spontaneously with no clear etiology, and secondary milia, which appear after traumatic events on the skin, for example.
Influencing factors
This condition usually manifests in middle-aged women in regions of the head and neck and around the eyes or nose (1). Predisposing factors include heavy moisturizers, poor face hygiene (sleeping with makeup on, for example), the use of topical corticosteroids, and sun damage.
Why do some babies develop milia?
The first few weeks after birth present major changes for a baby. During pregnancy, it was supplied with important nutrients via the mother’s bloodstream. Along with these nutrients, maternal hormones can enter the baby’s blood.
Immediately after birth, when the child is “disconnected” from the mother’s bloodstream, these hormones suddenly drop. In response to the hormonal change, various skin changes can occur including milia, newborn acne, and seborrheic dermatitis, among others.
All of these skin conditions occur around the 3rd week of life and disappear again as soon as the baby’s organism has regained balanced of its hormonal status (2).
What treatment options are available?
Can milia disappear on their own?
The answes is yes – milia can disappear on their own. In infants, this means that the best treatment is no treatment. Squeezing is generally contraindicated, as it irritates the skin and may lead to hyperpigmentation due to the associated inflammation.
Cosmetic treatment
Nevertheless, in adults with persistent milia that remain longer than expected without receding, it is possible to visit a facialist or dermatologist who can scratche the milia with a fine needle and gently evacuate the cyst content (3).
Dermatologist procedure
In the case of large milia, an experienced dermatologist can remove them with a 2-3mm punch under local anesthesia.
How can I prevent milia?
The key is using gentle products on the skin that do not cause inflammation. This is why irritant cosmetic products should be avoided. Moreover, soft exfoliation can be performed. The goal of this treatment lays in the removal of skin impurities, which result in skin that is toned, cleaner, and visibly refreshed
Mechanical peeling
At home, a mild mechanical peeling can be performed regularly at a rate of once or twice a week. When choosing a scrubbing cream for personal use, it is important to look for a cosmetic formulation that uses organic exfoliation particles and contains moisturizing ingredients in order to prevent unnecessary skin irritation.
Table of Contents
Beneficial effects of the horse chestnut
Horse chestnut, also called aesculus hippocastanum, is a plant. Its seed, bark, flowers, and leaves have medicinal properties. Horse chestnut seeds can…
Biologics for the treatment of melanoma
In the treatment of melanoma, biologics are used in the form of checkpoint inhibitors. There are two approaches…
Bibliography
- de Wet J, Jordaan F, Akad M, Visser W. Bilateral malar milia en plaque as primary presentation of discoid lupus erythematosus. JAAD Case Rep. 2017 Mar; 3(2): 106–109.
- Jean L. Bolognia , Julie V. Schaffer , Lorenzo Cerronia. Dermatology. 4th Edition. Elsevier.
- Thami GP et al. (2002) Surgical Pearl: Enucleation of milia with a disposable hypodermic needle. J Am Acad Dermatol 47: 602-603
- Vemula S, Maymone MBC, Secemsky EA, Widjajahakim R, Patzelt NM, Saade D, Vashi NA. Assessing the safety of superficial chemical peels in darker skin: A retrospective study. J Am Acad Dermatol. 2018 Sep;79(3):508-513.e2.
Abonniere unseren
Newsletter
Erfahre als Erster von Neuigkeiten in der ästhetischen Medizin und profitiere von exklusiven Angeboten sowie Tipps von unseren erfahrenen Dozenten.
