Many people may have noticed, at some point, the appearance of a small yellow-white ball on the skin, especially on the face, not knowing what it is or why.
This is nothing more than a milium, a small cyst caused by an obstruction just below the epidermis, which is the most superficial layer of the skin. But it is common for many to imagine it being acne at first, as there is a visual similarity.
The difference is that milium is not made up of tallow but keratin, a protein of which the most superficial layer of skin is made up.
Because of this, these lesions look harder and somewhat bulky, which can cause aesthetic discomfort as even with makeup they can remain apparent.
How does the milium arise?
The appearance of milium does not have a definite cause. In general, it arises spontaneously when some cells proliferate, causing dead skin to become 'trapped', forming the small pockets. This can happen to any type of skin, whether oily, dry or normal.
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Dermatologist Marian Orlandi explains that the milium in the skin can be just one or multiple lesions, which are called milia.
According to her, these balls appear mainly around the nose and eyelids. But they can appear anywhere on the body, even in the genital region.
Existing Milium Types
According to the dermatologist, skin milium can manifest in two different ways:
Primary Milium: The primary form manifests itself in newborns, appears in the region around the nose, and usually disappears spontaneously within two to four weeks after birth.
Secondary Milium: The secondary form can arise anywhere in the body and at any age. It occurs by proliferation of epidermal cells, which can happen either as a genetic consequence or by healing processes following trauma, procedures or skin diseases.
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In both cases the diagnosis does not require examinations. Only a clinical analysis is performed by the dermatologist, who will evaluate each one and indicate, if necessary, some type of treatment.
How to remove and treat?
In general, the treatment consists in the removal of the lesions by the dermatologist through simple but delicate and careful extraction, always performed in the office. "Removal at home is not recommended as there may be bacterial infection and, in more severe cases, cause unwanted scars," he warns.
There are also other options like chemical peels, crystal / diamond peels, lasers and skin cleansing. There is no urgency of treatment as it is a benign lesion that causes no pain or itching. But often there is an aesthetic discomfort and, more rarely, can grow ?, explains.
In some cases, when there is a genetic tendency, new lesions may appear. In these specific situations, removal procedures should be performed more often. In addition, it is recommended to do daily and proper skin cleansing, weekly exfoliation and use of acid-containing creams. "These are ways to prevent keratin accumulation because they stimulate cell renewal by reducing the formation of a new milium," he concludes.
Milia - How to Treat & Prevent | Best Eye Products (April 2024)
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