Milia occur when dead skin cells or keratins (proteins found in skin and hair) get trapped within the base of a hair follicle or sweat gland. This causes a small raised bump that looks a tiny pimple or whitehead. What causes milia to occur is not fully understood. Milia are not acne, which is usually triggered by hormones and causes inflammation. South Florida-based board-certified dermatologist Jeffrey Fromowitz, MD, explains that pimples come in two variants: inflammatory papules (pustules, nodules, cysts) and non-inflammatory lesions How does a dermatologist remove milia? The most common procedure for milia removal is de-roofing. Dermatologists use a sterile needle to remove the tiny flap of skin trapping the keratin flake inside the pore. They then squeeze or prick out the flake. A less-common practice is curettage, which is a form of electrosurgery. Milia is the medical term for small, keratin-filled cysts that can be seen in all age groups. These cysts can be solitary (milium) or appear in clusters (milia). They are most commonly seen in infants as tiny, firm, whitish bumps on the cheeks or around the nose and eyes. Nearly half of all infants develop them. .

how do dermatologists remove milia