Milia

Milia (singular: milium) are small benign keratin cysts that sit just under the surface of the skin. They look like firm white or yellowish bumps and are most common on the face, especially around the eyes, cheeks and nose. ^(1–3)

They are not acne, not an infection, and not dangerous — but they can be persistent and frustrating.

What are milia?

Milia are tiny cysts filled with keratin (a natural skin protein). They sit under a thin layer of skin, which is why they look like little “white pearls”. ^(1–3)

They are not pimples:

• no bacteria
• no pus
• usually no redness (unless irritated) ^(2,3)

In newborns, milia are very common and usually resolve on their own within 4–6 weeks. In teens and adults, they often persist unless removed. ^(2,3)

Why do milia happen?

Milia form when keratin becomes trapped under the skin instead of shedding normally. ^(2,3)

Common triggers include:

• naturally “slower” skin shedding in some people
• heavy or occlusive skincare — thick creams or ointments in milia-prone areas ^(2,3)
• sun damage and thicker outer skin in some cases
• skin trauma or healing — burns, blistering rashes, procedures ^(2,3)
• long-term topical steroid use in certain areas ⁽²⁾

Most of the time, milia are simply a benign cosmetic nuisance.

Common locations

• eyelids and under-eye skin
• cheeks and temples
• nose
• forehead ^(1–3)

Eyelid milia deserve extra caution. The skin is delicate and scarring risk is higher, which is why professional removal is recommended.

When to get bumps checked

Book a review if:

• you are not sure whether bumps are milia, acne, syringomas, viral warts, xanthelasma or another lesion
• bumps are inflamed, bleeding or rapidly changing
• lesions are on the eyelid margin or very close to the eye
• you have clustered milia in a patch (milia en plaque — uncommon but warrants confirmation)

If you are unsure what a bump is in general, see Other Dermatological Conditions.

How we book milia appointments

We offer three booking pathways. The right one depends on what you want from the visit:

• Assessment and advice (20 minutes) — Dr Chris reviews the bumps, confirms the diagnosis (milia vs look-alikes) and discusses options. The right choice if you want diagnostic clarity before deciding on treatment.
• Assessment + routine optimisation (20-min medical + 40-min dermal therapist) — same diagnostic assessment plus a structured review of your skincare routine. The right choice if you keep getting milia and want to reduce recurrence with product-choice changes rather than just removing the current ones.
• Same-day treatment pathway (20-min medical + 40-min dermal therapist in the SP Dynamis treatment room) — assessment, plus extraction, peel or laser performed on the day where appropriate.

The booking flow in the sidebar takes you to whichever option you choose.

Treatment options

1. Leave them alone (sometimes reasonable)

Some milia resolve spontaneously — particularly in newborns. Adult milia often persist for months or years without intervention. ^(2,3)

2. Skincare adjustments (prevention-focused)

If you form milia repeatedly, prevention is usually about:

• avoiding very heavy creams around the eyes
• using non-comedogenic products
• gentle, consistent exfoliation away from the eyelids ^(2,3)

A dermal therapist can review your routine and adjust it so you are not stuck in a cycle of recurring bumps.

3. Professional extraction (most common and effective)

This is the gold-standard day-to-day treatment:

• a sterile micro-opening is made in the surface
• the keratin plug is removed cleanly
• healing is usually fast with minimal downtime ^(2,3)

Important — milia usually cannot be “popped” safely at home. Attempting DIY removal commonly causes trauma, pigment marks or scarring — especially near the eyes. ^(2,3)

4. Chemical peels (selected cases)

Helpful when you have:

• multiple small milia
• rough texture and blocked superficial keratin
• milia outside the eyelid margin

Peels can reduce recurrence by normalising shedding. Not used over the eyelid margin itself. ^(1,2)

5. Laser (selected clusters or difficult locations)

Laser — typically Er:YAG ablative — can be a precise option for:

• clustered milia
• milia en plaque (clustered milia in a patch)
• recurring milia in the same site
• carefully selected periocular areas where precision matters ^(1,4)

For an overview of how ablative lasers work, see Laser & Light Treatments hub.

Our in-clinic approach

In your visit we focus on:

• confirming the diagnosis (milia vs look-alikes)
• choosing the safest removal method for your location (especially eyelids)
• building a prevention plan (product choices + routine)

If you have barrier irritation or dermatitis around the eyes, controlling that irritation can reduce recurrence (see Eczema if relevant).

How to reduce recurrence

A practical approach that usually works well:

• keep cleansing gentle
• avoid thick, occlusive eye creams if you are prone to milia
• use targeted exfoliation on thicker facial skin (cheeks, forehead) if tolerated
• don’t scrub — irritation can worsen the cycle ^(2,3)

Book a milia appointment

Choose the booking pathway that matches what you want from the visit — assessment alone, assessment + routine optimisation, or same-day treatment. The booking panel in the sidebar takes you to the right appointment. Both clinics operate the same patient pathway:

• Ivanhoe — Unit 1/1065 Heidelberg Road, Ivanhoe VIC 3079
• Diamond Creek — Shop 12/67 Main Hurstbridge Road, Diamond Creek VIC 3089