Popping Milia: Why You Should Avoid Doing It?

Quick Summary

• Milia can't be squeezed because they're not pimples, and the trapped keratin lies beneath a thin layer of skin and has no natural way to exit.
• Milia should never be popped, as this disrupts the skin barrier, leading to redness, swelling, irritation, and prolonged healing times.
• The risk of infection increases greatly when individuals use fingernails, unsterilized tools, or tweezers.
• Scars, dark spots or roughness can result from picking at milia, especially in sensitive areas such as skin around the eyelids.
• Safe options include using a gentle exfoliant, light skincare products, retinoids if recommended by a dermatologist, daily sun protection, and having a dermatologist remove it.
• Milia can appear like little whiteheads, but they are in fact different. Small cysts filled with keratin beneath the skin form when dead skin cells do not fall away. Most people will pop them at home, as they are small white or yellowish bumps, and this is one of the most common and damaging things you can do.
• Trying to squeeze milia can damage the skin, cause inflammation, increase the risk of infection, and leave a scar. The first step to removing milia naturally and safely is to understand what milia are, why they don't respond to acne treatments, and how to treat them correctly.

What Are Milia?

Milia are tiny little bumps that tend to form around the eyes, cheeks, nose, forehead and eyelids most of the time. They occur when a protein called keratin, which is naturally present in the skin, becomes trapped beneath the skin's surface instead of being shed as the skin renews itself.

Milia are not like acne, which involves clogged pores filled with oil, bacteria, and pus. These are located further under the skin and have a very small amount of flesh over them, which means a squeeze doesn't make a difference.

Milia are usually harmless and painless, but they can be annoying because they tend to persist for weeks, months, or even years in adults.

Why People Try to Pop Milia?

Many people think of milia as whiteheads due to their similarities. When a whitehead is treated properly, it may expel the trapped contents of the pore, causing the pore to open. This just isn't how milia act.

Milia are composed of keratin and lack an opening to allow them to escape when pressure is applied. Squeezing does not remove the bump but can bruise the surrounding tissues, rupture small blood vessels beneath the skin, or push inflammation deeper into the skin, making the bump more noticeable and potentially a cosmetic concern.

Why You Should Not Pop Milia

There are several ways to damage milia at home by trying to pop them.

1. Milia Do Not Pop Like Pimples

Milia are not open acne spots; they are sealed cysts under the skin. They are usually not given a natural escape route, so squeezing often only irritates the surrounding area. Putting more pressure on it, and it still doesn't go down, can really damage the skin around the bump.

2. It Can Cause Scarring

Milia may be surrounded by thin skin, particularly around the eyes, making them more susceptible to damage. Picking or squeezing may cause tears in the tissue, leading to small scars, dark marks from inflammation, or uneven skin. While the milia bump might fade over time, a scar or discolouration can last much longer.

3. It Can Lead to Infection

Fingers, nails, tweezers, or any other non-sterile devices in close proximity to milia will introduce bacteria into the skin. This may lead to a skin infection, redness, swelling and tenderness. Although milia are harmless, they can lead to a more serious skin problem if they are removed incorrectly.

4. It Can Make the Area More Inflamed

Inflammation of the surrounding skin may develop from repeated pressure and manipulation, causing the skin to be red, sore, swollen and/or overly sensitive. This risk is especially great near the eyelids, which are among the thinnest parts of the body.

5. You May Misdiagnose the Bump

Not all small, white bumps are milia. It may be a whitehead, a syringoma, a xanthelasma, a sebaceous hyperplasia, or some other skin disorder altogether. Trying to pop a bump when it is unidentified may result in using completely the wrong treatment and exacerbating the condition.

Is It Ever Safe to Remove Milia?

Yes, but it should be done by a dermatologist or trained skin care professional. The most common method of professional milia removal is to make a small, precise opening in the skin using a sterile instrument and then gently remove the trapped keratin.

This is quite distinct from a home squeeze. A trained professional will be able to do this in suitable lighting conditions with sterile equipment and the correct technique, which will minimise the chance of scarring and infection.

What to Do Instead of Popping Milia

Don't squeeze milia if you have them. These safer alternatives work much better and are far less harmful.

Use Gentle Exfoliation

A mild chemical peel can help to slough away old skin cells and promote healthier skin turnover. Some people may find ingredients like lactic acid, glycolic acid or salicylic acid helpful, but these should be added gradually and carefully. Do not use scrubber pads around the eyes or over the (physical) scrub.

Try Retinoids Carefully

Retinoids may stimulate cells to turn over more quickly and can help to prevent the formation of dead skin. However, they can cause dryness and irritation, particularly on sensitive skin. Do not use potent retinoids near the eyes unless directed by a dermatologist.

Avoid Heavy Creams on Milia-Prone Areas

Heavy eye products, creams and ointments can also sometimes help build up that causes milia. Switching to light, non-comedogenic skincare products can help minimise the factors that contribute to milia formation if you are a sufferer.

Wear Sunscreen

Skin damaged by the sun can become thicker and regenerate more slowly, creating an environment where dead skin cells become trapped. The skin barrier is protected, and over time, skin will be healthier and will turn over more efficiently with daily broad-spectrum sun protection.

See a Dermatologist for Stubborn Milia

A dermatologist can accurately diagnose milia and advise you on the safest and most effective treatment if they are not clearing up or if they appear near your eyes or return in the same areas.

Can Milia Go Away on Their Own?

Yes. Milia may disappear on their own, especially in infants and children. They can persist in adults for months or longer if left untreated, or they may fade over time.

If the bumps are small, painless, and not a cosmetic concern, there is generally no need to disturb them. Professional removal is more reliable and skin-safe for persistent, bothersome issues.

When Should You See a Doctor?

See a dermatologist if:

• The bump can be adjacent to your eye or on the eyelid.
• The area turns red, painful, swollen or infected
• The bump grows, alters colour, or alters its shape
• You're not sure that the bump is actually milia
• Milia spots persist around the same area

You want a safe and professional removal without having scarring as a risk

Final Thoughts

It's tempting to pop milia, but it can lead to a lot of more trouble than it's worth. Milia are not pimples, soothing them does not release the trapped keratin and can make them worse, irritated, infected, scarred and leave dark marks.

The best thing to do is ignore milia, maintain healthy skin renewal with a gentle skin care regimen, and consult a dermatologist if you wish to have them removed safely. If there is a little bump, it's just not worth scraping over.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs): Avoid Popping Milia

1. Can I pop milia like a pimple?

Please note, the milia are not pimples and won't be helped by squeezing. They are tiny keratin cysts that are closed under the skin, and pushing them out is likely to irritate the bump or leave a mark or redness.

2. Why won’t my milia come out when I squeeze it?

The thin layer of skin covering milia has no opening for the trapped keratin to escape. Further pressure only makes it more likely to bruise or damage the skin around the bump.

3. Is it safe to remove milia at home with a needle?

No, it can be infected, scarred and can bleed while at home, especially around the eyes if using a needle. A dermatologist can safely extract milia with sterile equipment and technique.

4. What happens if I accidentally pop or scratch milia?

Do not overclean, and leave it alone. Keep an eye out for any signs of infection, including increased redness, swelling, pain, warmth or pus, and if any of these symptoms occur, visit a doctor.

5. Can milia under the eyes be popped?

No. The skin under and around the eyes is particularly fragile and thin. Scarring, chronic irritation or accidental eye injury can easily result from squeezing or using any sharp tool in this area.

6. Do milia go away on their own?

Sometimes. Milia will often clear up by itself in children, and may last for months in adults. The safest way to remove a bump is to have a professional do it if the bump is not improving or is cosmetically bothersome.

7. Can exfoliating acids remove milia?

Gentle exfoliation agents like glycolic acid, lactic acid or salicylic acid can help skin turnover and consequently make skin better over time. They do not tend to bring about the solution of the deep and stubborn milia, however, and all acids should be applied with extra caution around the eye area.

8. Can retinol help with milia?

Retinol can help promote more regular cell turnover, which can help reduce the accumulation that can cause milia. Use it slowly, in conjunction with sunscreen, and avoid using strong retinoids near the eyes without a dermatologist's advice.

9. Do heavy creams cause milia?

However, in people predisposed to milia, some thick eye creams, oily moisturisers, and greasy skincare products can lead to a buildup. Converted to non-comedogenic lightweight alternatives that may help reduce recurrence.

10. What is the safest way to remove milia?

The safest and most effective way to remove them is by professional extraction by a dermatologist or trained professional with skin care experience. They can create an exact, sterile opening and extract the trapped keratin without causing unnecessary damage to the surrounding skin.

11. Can popping milia leave scars?

Yes. Scars, dark spots or rough skin texture may be caused by picking, squeezing or cutting milia. The chances of this happening are much greater around the eyes, and the more you try to bump it out, the greater the risk.

12. When should I see a dermatologist for milia?

You should get professional advice if the bump is near your eye, painful, changing in appearance over time, spreading, showing signs of infection, or not going away on its own. A dermatologist can further determine whether you are actually suffering from milia or another skin condition that requires different treatment.