Milia Removal

Milia (singular: milium) are small, hard white bumps that form when keratin, a skin protein, becomes trapped beneath the skin surface. They have no opening to the outside and are therefore not squeezable like a regular blackhead. Milia often appear around the eyes, on the cheeks and on the nose. Causes include the use of too heavy or oil-rich skincare, sun or heat damage, certain skin conditions and sometimes a genetic predisposition. They occur at all ages, including in newborns.

The main difference is the content and the opening. A blackhead (comedone) contains sebum and dead skin cells and has an open pore to the outside. This allows the sebum to oxidise and turn dark (blackhead) or stay white (whitehead). A milium contains only keratin and has no pore opening. They are harder than blackheads and cannot be squeezed out without damaging the skin. Removal by our skin therapist is the safe approach.

At SKIN our skin therapist removes milia with a sterile lancet: a fine needle that makes a small incision in the skin above the milium. The keratin is then gently expressed with a specialised extraction tool. The procedure is quick and precise. It is important that this is done by a professional skin therapist to prevent scarring and infection. We strongly advise against attempting to pierce them at home.

The treatment is well-tolerated. You feel a light prick at the lancet incision, comparable to a small pin prick. During the extraction most clients feel slight pressure. The entire process per milium takes only a few seconds. With larger or more deeply located milia the sensation may be slightly more intense. Our skin therapist works quickly and carefully to minimise discomfort.

With professional removal by our skin therapist, scarring is extremely rare. The lancet incision is so small that in most cases it heals completely without a trace. Immediately after treatment the spots may be slightly red and possibly lightly swollen, but this usually disappears within a few hours to 1 day. Attempting removal at home with a needle does carry a higher risk of scarring.

Downtime is minimal. Directly after treatment the spots are lightly red. This subsides within 1 to 6 hours. Our skin therapist advises not wearing make-up on the treated zones on the day of treatment, not rubbing the skin and cleansing gently. SPF 30 sun protection is recommended for the first week after treatment.

The removed milia will not return to the exact same spot. New milia can, however, form elsewhere if the underlying cause is not addressed. Our skin therapist always advises a home routine after treatment that helps prevent new milia: lighter skincare, regular exfoliation with fruit acids (AHA) and good SPF. This keeps the skin clear of milia in the long term.

We strongly advise against this. Milia have no pore opening, which means that squeezing or piercing without the correct technique and sterile instruments can damage the surrounding skin and cause infection or scarring. Around the eye zone, where milia are most common, the skin is particularly thin and vulnerable. Professional removal by our skin therapist is fast, precise and scar-safe.

Milia removal via lancet extraction is a mechanical procedure without chemicals or electricity, and is generally considered safe during pregnancy and breastfeeding. Still, discuss it with your midwife or GP if you have any doubts. Our skin therapist adapts the protocol and works with extra care for pregnant clients.

For the removal of 1 milium you pay 45 euros at SKIN (15 minutes). Do you have 2 to 6 milia? The rate is then 75 euros (20 minutes). Do you have more milia or are they spread over a larger area? Our skin therapist will gladly discuss the appropriate rate and treatment approach at your intake.