Milia Seeds Removal: Causes, Treatment, and What to Expect

Do you have tiny white or yellowish bumps on your face, perhaps around the cheeks and eyes? These are milia seeds.

While they’re generally harmless, they may be cosmetic concerns for many people. Fortunately, there are several options for milia seeds removal today.

What Are Milia Seeds?

Milia seeds are bumps that form when a protein in our skin called keratin is trapped beneath the surface. Instead of shedding naturally, this keratin (along with dead skin cells) can accumulate there. The accumulation results in the tiny, firm domes we call milia seeds.

Some may mistake them for pimples, but they’re a different thing entirely. Pimples involve blocked oil glands or bacteria. Milia seeds do not.

This means milia seeds can’t be “popped” like acne. It’s also highly discouraged to even try to pop them, as this can lead to skin trauma or infection.

Common Causes of Milia Seeds

There are various triggers for milia seeds, especially in adults. These include prolonged exposure to sunlight, regular use of certain steroid creams, and even skin injuries. 

In some cases, milia seeds may also appear spontaneously. Milia seeds of this type are very common in newborns, with some estimates suggesting they affect nearly 50% of all full-term infants. 

Milia seeds that appear spontaneously are often called “primary milia”. Ones that are caused by a factor such as trauma are called “secondary milia”.

Can Milia Seeds Go Away on Their Own?

In many cases, primary milia will go away on their own without any active medical intervention. This is true for both adults and infants.

This is due to the body’s natural shedding process. Eventually, the skin trapping the keratin will shed, which then releases the keratin bump underneath. It can take several weeks or even months, however, which may be too long for some people to wait for.

Milia that last longer than that are often secondary milia, i.e. milia caused by an injury. In any case, there are simply some milia that may require professional treatment to remove.

Professional Options for Milia Seeds Removal 

For adults with milia seeds who consider them cosmetic concerns, there are professional dermatological interventions available. These may offer faster solutions than the organic method of waiting for the seeds to eventually shed by themselves.

Popular clinical options include manual extraction, which is where a doctor uses a sterile needle to create a tiny opening in the dome of the milia seed. This allows the trapped keratin to escape in a controlled manner.

Another option may be electrocautery. In this method, heat is used to dry out the milia seed and vaporise the trapped keratin in it. CO2 laser therapy works in much the same way.

What to Expect During Treatment

Before any milia removal procedure, a doctor will usually examine the area to confirm the diagnosis of milia seeds and determine the appropriate method of removal for your case.

Depending on the type of treatment chosen, a numbing cream may be applied. This is especially true if the lesions are located near sensitive areas, such as the skin around the eyes.

The actual duration of the treatment will depend on the number of milia to address and the chosen treatment protocol. In most cases, recovery is quick, given that milia don’t typically require invasive procedures.

To support your skin’s recovery, your doctor will likely advise that you keep the treated area clean and protected. Most people are also asked to avoid potential milia seed triggers such as those noted earlier (sun exposure, steroid creams, etc.).