Milia, or milia, are preventable and treatable signs of skin damage.
If you see small, white bumps on your skin, clustered together, you may have milia. However, many people don't know that milia are not actually acne like clogged pores or inflamed pimples. So what are milia, how can you distinguish them from other types of acne, and are there any treatments? Romrawin will help you find the answers in this article.
Clearing up the misconception! What exactly are milia?
Milia (rice grain-shaped acne) are not...AcneHowever, it is classified as a type of cyst containing fat and keratin, which externally resembles...whiteheads But there is usually no inflammation or further development.Inflammatory acneHowever, it can occur in people of all ages, especially in newborns. We find milia in more than half of all newborns, and they usually disappear on their own within a few weeks.
Milia are usually harmless and not the beginning of any serious illness, but if present in large numbers, they can lead to a loss of self-confidence. In some cases, milia may be mistaken for something else.100% And trying to push it out may cause infection and lead to scarring.
Clearing up the confusion: Are milia and cystic acne the same thing?
Milia and milia are not the same type of acne. They differ in their causes, characteristics, and healing time.
Milia are spontaneously occurring sebaceous cysts that may develop after skin damage. They appear as small bumps, similar to clogged pores, and usually appear in clusters. They can occur anywhere on the face and usually heal on their own within a few weeks without treatment.
butsamsara Milia are benign (non-cancerous) growths of the sweat glands that are harmless, only causing discomfort and a cosmetic problem. They appear as small, firm, yellowish-white bumps, most commonly around the eyes, but can sometimes occur elsewhere. Milia may require treatment to disappear.
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Let's find out what can cause milia.
- Milia are caused by the blockage of dead skin cells. Naturally, our skin cells are shed and replaced by new ones. However, sometimes dead skin cells don't slough off completely, but the body creates new cells to cover them. This causes the dead cells to be buried and combine with keratin beneath the skin, resulting in milia (small white bumps on the skin).
- The sebaceous glands are not yet fully developed, which is the main cause of milia in newborn babies.
- Skin injuries that cause damage include severe friction, repeated rubbing, dermatitis, or burns.
- The use of certain medications, especially steroids, for extended periods.
- Genetics: People with a family history of milia are more likely to develop milia than the general population.
Milia and their treatment approaches.
Although milia are not painful or harmful, many people still want to remove them because of their hard, bumpy appearance.facial skin It makes the skin look uneven and unattractive. However, removing milia requires the correct treatment to achieve good results and avoid the risk of infection.how to treat acneThe grains of rice look like this:
Laser treatment for milia
Laser treatment for milia is an effective and fast way to remove them because it targets and destroys the cysts directly. The doctor will use a CO2 (carbon dioxide) laser to target the milia. After treatment, you may experience redness or scabbing, but these will fade without leaving scars.
There are several types of laser treatments for acne, each with its own differences and suitability for different types of acne. Read more about them in this article. Laser treatment for acne is the best way to treat clogged pores and inflamed acne.
Using medication to treat milia (rice grain acne).
Acne treatments containing rice bran are medications that exfoliate the skin. Examples include retinoids, AHA, and BHA. Exfoliation helps remove dead skin cells more easily and reduces the chance of clogged pores.
Squeezing milia
Milia can be removed by squeezing them, just like clogged pores. However, this should only be done by a doctor because the process of squeezing milia may involve using a needle to open the hair follicle and extract the milia, which can easily lead to inflammation and infection.
Caring for and preventing milia.
Milia can be caused by two factors: they can occur naturally due to individual skin conditions, or they can result from skin damage. We can care for and prevent milia to reduce the chances of developing them as follows:
Maintaining regular facial hygiene.
Our skin's outer layer is constantly shedding and regenerating. Proper cleansing helps remove dead skin cells easily, reducing the chance of clogged pores, which is one of the causes of milia and other types of acne.
Exfoliation accelerates skin cell renewal.
Sometimes, simply washing your face may not completely remove dead skin cells. Gentle exfoliation helps accelerate the shedding of old cells and reveals brighter, newer skin, reducing clogged pores. However, you should avoid exfoliating too vigorously and too frequently, as this can damage the skin and contribute to milia (small whiteheads).
Use products that strengthen the skin's protective barrier, making your skin healthier.
As is known, one of the causes of milia is...sensitive skin Weak and damaged skin can trigger milia breakouts. Therefore, preventing milia at its root cause involves strengthening the skin's protective barrier using gentle products that don't harm the skin.
Frequently asked questions about milia.
Where can milia (rice grain-shaped pimples) appear?
Milia can occur on any part of the skin, but they are most common on the face, such as on the eyelids and under the eyes.
Are milia (rice grain-sized pimples) dangerous?
Milia are harmless to the body; they only cause annoyance and a lack of confidence in those who have them.
Can milia (whiteheads/rice grains) heal on their own?
Typically, milia can clear up on their own within a few weeks without treatment. However, if milia persist for a long time and don't go away, it's best to consult a dermatologist.
After treating milia, is there a chance they will reappear?
Even after removing milia using the recommended method, there is still a chance of recurrence, depending on individual skin conditions.
In summary, milia are not acne, they are not dangerous but can be annoying.
Milia, or "milia," are not acne as many people think. They are sebaceous cysts that can form spontaneously or due to weakened or damaged skin. Milia are harmless and usually disappear on their own within a few weeks. However, if you wish to treat milia, you can use laser treatments or exfoliating products. If you are concerned, you can consult a dermatologist at any Romrawin Clinic branch near you.
refer
Cleveland Clinic medical professional. (2022, October 8). Milia. Cleveland Clinic.
https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/17868-milia
Gallardo Avila, PP. & Mendez, MD. Milia. (2023, January 31). In: StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK560481/
Seymour, T. & Grayland-Leech, B. (2024, January 15). How can I get rid of milia? Medical News Today.
https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/320953#types-and-causes