Milia removal

What causes milia?

Milia form when keratin becomes trapped beneath the outer layer of the skin. They can appear without an obvious trigger, but may also occur after skin irritation, sun damage, procedures, injury, or the use of heavy skin products.

They are not the same as pimples. Milia do not usually have an opening to the surface, which is why squeezing them is often ineffective and can irritate or damage the surrounding skin.

Why assessment matters before treatment

A nurse assesses the bumps and discusses whether extraction or radiofrequency is appropriate. Doctor review is arranged if needed.

How milia may be treated

Where treatment is suitable, milia may be treated in clinic using a small extraction technique, precision radiofrequency treatment, or another method selected after assessment. The method depends on the number of milia, their location, how deeply they sit in the skin, and whether there are other skin changes in the same area.

Can milia be removed at home?

It is best not to squeeze, pick or pierce milia at home, especially around the eyes. This can cause inflammation, infection, pigment change or scarring.

Some milia settle on their own, particularly in children. Persistent milia in adults often need proper assessment and, where suitable, careful treatment.

Healing and possible risks

After treatment, the area may be red, slightly swollen, crusted or tender while it heals. This is usually mild, but healing can vary depending on the area treated and individual skin type.

Possible risks include redness, swelling, crusting, pigment change, scarring, incomplete clearance and recurrence. Your clinician will explain what to expect before treatment proceeds.

Can milia come back?

Yes. Treated milia can recur, and new milia can form in nearby skin over time. Recurrence is more likely if the skin is prone to trapping keratin or if there are ongoing contributing factors such as heavy skin products, sun damage or previous skin irritation.

Related skin conditions

Spot Check Clinic also assesses and treats a range of other small skin lesions where suitable, including xanthelasma, syringomas, sebaceous hyperplasia, skin tags, cherry angiomas and seborrhoeic keratoses.