Do you know those little white pimples that usually appear around the eyes? This cosmetic problem is called MILIEN. We reveal what you can do if you are bothered by the white grains.
What are milia?
Many people are familiar with the phenomenon of white nodules around the eyes. Milia are also called Skin grits or semolina grains designated. Strictly speaking, milia are small white cysts that can occur primarily on the face – mostly around the eyes – but also on the entire body (including the genital area).
But they are not a skin disease they are not dangerous, rather a purely cosmetic problem and can be removed with the right methods. Even if they are harmless, the white nodules are simply annoying. Young women in particular often have milia on their faces. This is a mixture of sebum and keratin. They therefore feel quite firm and get tougher over time.
Why do milia arise?
Medical professionals differentiate between Primary milia and Secondary milia. At Primary milia the skin grit forms for no apparent reason. The face and the classic area around the eye are usually affected. A connection with hormones is suspected, but has not been scientifically proven. Because women often get milia as part of the menstrual cycle or during menopause. Primary milia usually occur at the sweat gland outlets or on the follicles of hair; they do not heal by themselves. If you are bothered by it, you can have it removed by a dermatologist.
Secondary milia arise from skin injuries. Small cuts, grazes, but also sunburn or inflammation can cause skin grit – precisely at the point where the skin was injured. Sometimes milia also form after shingles (herpes zoster) has healed. The secondary milia often heal on their own after a few weeks.
What can you do about milia?
If you only have a few milia that are not directly on the eye, a good beautician or dermatologist can scratch and squeeze out the cysts with a small knife or a small injection cannula.
If the white semolina grains sit close to the eye or if there are larger accumulations, the dermatologist should definitely do it. A dermatologist can treat the pimples with one too special laser, the Erbium laser, remove by removing the top layer of skin. The skin does not form crusts and usually heals within a few days without any cysts underneath. After such a treatment, patients should definitely use sunscreen because the newly formed skin is extremely sensitive.
Under no circumstances should you press the skin gravel yourself, it can be painful and can actually lead to scars.
How can I prevent milia?
Those with a tendency to milia should adjust their daily skin care routine and cleanse the skin thoroughly every day. No strong mechanical cleaning particles How to use peelings with seeds, salts or peels, they irritate the skin too much and also stimulate sebum production.
A is ideal for gentle cleaning Face brush, which are available with different attachments for skin types. A cleaning gelwhich also helps against pimples, can remove impurities and make-up residues from the face in the evening.
A peeling with fruit acid also thoroughly removes dead skin cells and sebum, but it is not for very sensitive skin. The tolerates better Enzyme peeling, which gently loosens dead skin cells without mechanical friction but only by breaking down proteins. Chemical peels like the one with salicylic acid or alpha hydroxy acid (AHA), are able to refine the pore size and improve skin impurities, but they are effective in the deeper layers of the skin and should therefore only be performed by a beautician or a dermatologist. He uses chemical peels with a higher concentration (more than 30%).
Semolina grains – skin care can only reduce them to a limited extent
You should pay attention to this if milia have already formed in the skin:
- Protect the skin from the sun, because too much UV light can worsen the granules. Use UV protection even in winter; many creams contain an integrated sun protection filter that is between 15 and 25 SPF. The sunscreen shouldn't contain too much fat, otherwise it can clog the pores further. For the face, therefore, prefer one Sun protection gel use.
- What softens the skin opens the pores. Hardened keratin can be loosened by facial steam baths or with warm compresses. Chamomile or healing earth are additives that are good for the skin.
- Incorrect care can actually favor milia. Creams that are too rich can clog pores. Care series with Melissa extracts is generally good for blemished skin and clogged pores. However, no face cream can work a miracle on milia. Especially not with primary milia. Only a dermatologist can remove them.
- Before the dermatologist applies a laser, you can do it with Retinol or try cortisone ointments. Even with stubborn accumulations of milia, cortisone and retinol can achieve good results.
These home remedies affect the skin gravel
Gentle peelings remove the dead skin and blockages from the top layer of skin. And since we like to avoid microplastics and other chemical additives, we get help directly from nature.
- peeling helps to remove the top layer of skin and thus also to make the milia at least superficially smaller. A sugar peeling with olive oil and honey suits every skin type and gently loosens the smallest cornifications.
- Apple Cider Vinegar should actually be able to help with small milia. It is important not to dab the apple cider vinegar directly on the skin, but to dilute it with a little water. This prevents the acid from irritating the skin.
- Fresh aloe vera gel helps open the pores of the skin and has an overall anti-inflammatory effect. Leave on overnight and rinse off the next morning with lukewarm water, also beneficial for milia.
Milia in babies – do they go away on their own?
Newborn acne and milia have the same cause. Boys in particular often get milia immediately after birth. Because during pregnancy, babies are naturally in contact with their mother's hormones.
After the birth, the baby's hormonal balance returns to normal, Millions of people heal on their own and completely within about six weeks after birth. If the pimples are pronounced, the pediatrician should check whether it is not another skin disease such as a skin fungus.