It can show up alone or in groups.
Tough, it embeds itself in the skin for a while and seems impossible to dislodge.
His attack zone?
Mainly around the eyes, but it can also appear on the eyelids, nose and even the cheeks.
This tiny, ultra-tenacious pimple, clinically called milia, makes no distinction: it can appear on all skin types and at all ages.
“It's a small white, round, firm lesion, measuring between 1 and 2 mm.
It forms following the obturation of a pilar canal”, describes Dr. Catherine Braeken, Sanoflore consultant dermatologist.
"The natural physiological desquamation does not occur, the keratin accumulates in a compact way to form this small cyst."
It can also occur on scarred areas,
sequelae of burns and, in some cases, of particular dermatoses.
"We often find them in newborns too, because their barrier function is in the process of being put in place," adds the expert.
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Contrary to popular belief, it is not a cystic acne pimple or an allergic reaction.
The causes and treatments are different.
“Its appearance differs from acne blemishes, for example, by its very white color, its well-defined shape and its very firm consistency such that it is almost impossible to eliminate it by pressure.
Conversely, acne microcysts are less well defined and more flexible,” continues the doctor.
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Solutions
In most cases, milia are harmless and painless.
“Lesions are trivial and benign provided you are certain of the diagnosis.
In the event of changes in the appearance of the skin, do not hesitate to seek medical advice,” advises Dr. Braeken.
If it is quite possible to live with it without problem, nothing prevents you from wanting to get rid of it out of embarrassment or concern for aesthetics.
Generally, they disappear on their own naturally after a few weeks or months.
To speed up the process, “using cosmetics with chemical exfoliating agents like salicylic acid or glycolic acid can help reduce the thickness of the stratum corneum.
But you have to be patient and continue this treatment for a few months, ”warns the expert.
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The best solution to oust it more quickly: call a dermatologist.
The specialist will then perform a micro-incision to mechanically extract the grain of milium, thus evacuating a mixture of cellular debris, sebum, or bacteria.
In any case, "do not try to extract it yourself, you risk infection, injury or even a scar", warns the doctor.
An adapted beauty routine
After having cleared the skin, all you have to do is adapt your beauty routine accordingly to avoid the reappearance of milia.
Above all, “never skip the step of cleaning the face even if you don't wear makeup, and favor gentle exfoliants.
They help to reduce blemishes and limit their appearance by stimulating cell renewal and the elimination of dead cells on the surface”, recommends Dr. Braeken.
It may also be necessary to sort through its creams and make-up products for the complexion.
“Occlusive or comedogenic cosmetics should be avoided, as they risk clogging the pilosebaceous pores and favoring this accumulation of keratin by limiting natural surface renewal,” concludes the dermatologist.
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