Milia, milia, milia. Where did these little bumps come from and WHY are they so hard to get rid of?
These tiny, persistent bumps are more common than you think. Often mistaken for acne or whiteheads, milia have their own unique identity. So, what exactly are milia? Milia are a common benign keratinous cysts that occur most commonly on the face, particularly over/under eyelids and the cheeks. Most clients mention them as small flesh toned bumps under their eyelids.
So how exactly do they form and how do you get rid of them?!
Our skin is built with multiple layers that are needed to retain a proper oil and water balance. When there is more oil than water within the layers of the skin, the oil will begin to crystallize resulting in the formation of milia. Now, what happens if there is not enough oil within the skin? This is where it gets tricky, if your skin is experiencing a lack of ceramides, lipids create a small cyst, resulting in milia to form.
How do you get rid of them, you ask? First, they can not be “popped” as a traditional pimple.
Here are my top 3 recommendations for safely improving milia:
Use a hydrating serum to help balance the oil and water levels in the skin. My go to hydrating serum is Water Drops Serum. When applying, it is best to apply to damp skin and immediately apply a good face moisturizer such as Barrier Plus to help seal moisture in.
Apply a light retinol serum a few times a week. Retinol assists in cell turnover and prevents the buildup of dead skin cells. Retinol is a go to for the prevention of future milia as well.
Schedule an appointment with an Aesthetician that is trained in milia. Milia will need to be extracted with a lancet. It is best to use both a hydrating serum and retinol for a few weeks prior to seeing your aesthetician. This helps soften the milia making them easier to extract.
With the help of a solid skin care regimen, including hydration and gentle exfoliation at home and regular skin treatments your skin will be on its way to being smooth, glowy and milia free!
Have more questions on Milia? Reach out at hello@glowfacialstudio.com, on Facebook @glowfacialstudio, or Instagram @glowfacialstudio