Milia Removal Treatments


What are Milia?

Milia are very common pearly-white bumps, most commonly seen around the eyes and the upper cheeks. They are tiny cysts that contain keratin and sebum (lipid epithelial plugs or epidermal inclusion cysts). Milia are a dome shape, 1-3mm in diameter, sitting just under the skin surface. Milia are often seen in clusters and can occur anywhere on the body.

Although milia are harmless and do not usually cause any problems or discomfort, some people do not like how they affect their cosmetic appearance.


milia removal cheshire


Why do I get Milia?

There are two types of milia primary and secondary.

Primary milia cysts contain keratin; they develop in the pilosebaceous follicle just under the skin. Primary milia are often seen on babies facial skin; people often call them milk spots. These milia nearly always go as the baby’s skin matures.

milia removal

Milia seen in adults are less likely to go. Research suggests that milia in adults may be due to skin damage or using products containing mineral oil and lanolin. It suggests that milia arise because of a build-up of lanolin and mineral oil in the follicles.

Secondary milia occur due to skin trauma such as sunburn, radiotherapy or long-term steroid use.


How Can I Remove Milia?

Milia removal / treatment is not available on the NHS as they are a cosmetic problem. There are no prescription treatments currently available to help them.

Milia Removal with Topical Treatments

Occasionally some milia improve with topical retinoids or alpha-hydroxy acids (AHAs). At Cheshire Lasers, we recomend Neostrata Eye Cream for parines prone to milia under they eyes, and ph formula acive recovery or synergy for other less sensitive facila areas.

Milia Treatment with a Sterile Needle

Skin specialists often remove milia with a sterile needle. For this procedure to be successful, it is essential to remove the whole milia. This procedure usually leaves a small red mark /ulcer where the milia were, which often heals quickly.

Milia Removal with Hyfrecation

Hyfrecation is an excellent treatment for destroying and therefore completly removing the entire milia cyst. This involves a fine-tip needle delivering an electric current or radiofrequency energy into the lesion. At Cheshire Lasers, this is our treatment of choice for removing milia.
Aesthetic nurse Moira removes them using advanced electrocautery, and Helena Fryer removes them using advanced electrolysis.
These procedures usually leave a small red mark /ulcer where the milia were, which often heals quickly.

Milia Removal with Cryotherapy

Cryotherapy is sometimes used to freeze the cyst; which leaves a small blister and can take over a week to resolve.


Prevention of Milia

If you are prone to Milia, you will find more will probably return over time. The use of retinol products and AHAs that stimulate cell renewal and encourage a faster skin cycle turnover can reduce the risk of them returning.

Also, it is crucial to avoid skin products which contain mineral oils and lanolin, as these increase the risk of reoccurrence.


Which areas can Cheshire Lasers treat?

Moira and Helena most often remove Milia from the face including the under eye area. They can easily be removed from the body as well although it is unusual to get them elsewhere. We therefor erecomend you see Moira for body treatments to ensure the skin lesion  is diagnosed correctly before treating.


Could treatment leave a scar?

It is very unusual to be left with a scar after the removal of Milia. A small red mark /ulcer develops after treatment of the milia which usualy heals very quickly.


Prices for Milia Removal

Aesthetic nurse Moira removes Milia using advanced electrocautery –  View her prices here.

Advanced Electrolysis Technician Helena Fryer removes Milia using advanced electrolysis – View her prices here.