Although tempting, if those pesky white bumps are near your eyes—either on the lids or under-eye skin—don’t remove it on your own. If it’s not in a sensitive area, such as your forehead or cheek, there are a few simple techniques to remove it safely. But first, know that milia are not like a pimple that appears and goes away in a few days. They don’t usually go away on their own. And you can’t pop it like you would a pimple. Milia removal usually requires an incision. The cysts are usually deep below the skin’s surface. Again, getting a milium isn’t harmful. But it is more than understandable if you want to remove it for aesthetic purposes.
Here are the seven highly effective steps to safely removing milia at home:
- Sanitize a sharp needle (the finer point the better) and tweezers or come done extractor.
- Clean your face with gentle cleanser and rinse it thoroughly.
- Dry your face completely with a clean towel.
- Gently make a tiny incision on the top or on the side of the milium sufficient enough to excise it.
- Using the tweezers or extractor, apply gentle pressure to remove the milium up and out of the small opening.
- Apply an antiseptic or rubbing alcohol to the incision.
- When finished, continue with your regular skincare routine.
Again, milia aren’t like pimples. There isn’t more to extract by simply squeezing harder or repeatedly. Don’t continue to squeeze the area after the white bead has been removed. This will only cause damage. If doing a mini-surgery on yourself makes you weak in the knees, there are other less invasive—albeit less immediate—methods. You can try an oatmeal scrub, a steam bath, or applying honey, castor oil or apple cider vinegar to the milia bumps. These home remedies probably work instantly. But with continuous use these milia treatments may reduce or prevent them.
