Milia are small, firm white or cream-coloured bumps that form beneath the surface of the skin. They are particularly common around the eyes, cheeks and other areas of the face and, although harmless, can remain visible for long periods without disappearing naturally.
At Empress Lasers, we provide professional milia removal for suitable areas, offering a controlled alternative to squeezing or attempting to extract them yourself. Treatment begins with an assessment of your skin before the individual milia are carefully targeted, with the approach tailored to their size, location and number.
Milia develop when keratin, a naturally occurring protein found within the skin, becomes trapped beneath the surface rather than being shed normally. This creates the characteristic small, firm bump that can resemble a whitehead but does not behave in the same way as a spot or clogged pore.
They are especially common around the eyes and cheeks but can occur elsewhere on the face and body. Milia are not acne and generally aren't inflamed or painful. However, because the keratin is enclosed beneath the skin, persistent milia can be difficult to remove through normal cleansing or skincare alone.
Your appointment begins with an assessment of the affected area to confirm that the small bumps appear suitable for milia treatment. Your practitioner will consider their size, position and number before recommending the appropriate approach, particularly when treating delicate or highly visible areas of the face.
Treatment is then carefully focused on the individual milia to remove the trapped keratin while minimising unnecessary disruption to the surrounding skin. Some temporary redness or sensitivity may occur afterwards, but this should settle as the area heals. Your practitioner will explain what to expect following treatment and provide appropriate aftercare advice for your skin.
Unlike a typical whitehead, milia do not contain fluid or sebum that can simply be expressed from a pore. The keratin is trapped beneath a layer of skin, which is why squeezing the area is often ineffective and can instead lead to irritation, broken skin or unnecessary marks.
Some milia disappear naturally, particularly when they are small, while others can remain for months or longer. Professional treatment provides a more controlled option for persistent milia, especially when they occur around visible areas of the face.
Milia removal may be suitable for:
Milia are often mistaken for spots or whiteheads, which can lead to people trying to squeeze or treat them with standard acne products. Below, we answer some of the most common questions about milia and professional removal.
Milia are small cysts containing keratin that become trapped beneath the surface of the skin. They usually appear as tiny white, pearl-like or cream-coloured bumps and are generally harmless.
Milia develop when keratin becomes trapped beneath the skin rather than being naturally shed. There isn't always an obvious cause, and they can occur in people of different ages and skin types.
Milia are particularly common around the eyes, eyelids and cheeks, although they can occur elsewhere on the face and body. Treatment suitability depends on their exact location and will be established during your assessment.
No. Although they can look similar, milia aren't acne or ordinary whiteheads. A milium is a small cyst containing trapped keratin beneath the skin rather than a pore blocked with oil and other debris.
It is best to avoid squeezing or picking milia. Because they sit beneath a layer of skin, they usually cannot be expressed like a spot. Attempting to do so can result in irritation, broken skin and unnecessary marks.
You may experience some mild discomfort depending on the number and location of the milia being treated. Your practitioner will explain the treatment beforehand so you know what to expect.
It may be possible to treat multiple milia during one appointment. This will depend on their number, location and your skin, which can be assessed before treatment begins.
Ready to start your journey? Book your complimentary, no-obligation consultation today. Our practitioners will assess your skin, answer your questions, and design a personalized treatment plan tailored specifically to you.
