A lot of women deal with stubborn blackheads pretty often in their lifetime. During your teens, you experience a lot of acne, while once you are on your period you will have periodical breakouts. However, a skin concern that not that many people talk about, or even know about, is those annoying whiteheads that sit underneath the skin surface. They are also known as Milia (dermatological name), and here’s everything you should know about these whiteheads!
What Is Milia?
Milia is a small white bump that you can have on your cheeks, nose, chin, and most often – underneath your eyes and on your lids. Usually, women who wear a lot of makeup and who neglect their skincare routine will experience whiteheads. However, these are also pretty common in, believe it or not, babies! In fact, almost 50% of newborn babies will have them during their first year! In babies, Milia will resolve and treat on its own in time, and some adults may experience the same outcome. However, in some cases, you will have to remove them (if they end up being too stubborn and they don’t repair on their own).
How To Treat & Get Rid Of Milia? Top 10 Ways
1. Never Pick Or Poke Them
Every skin’s concern shouldn’t be touched. This is the number one rule of almost every dermatologist. Removing Milia can cause infections, bleeding, as well as unwanted bumps. Give it time at first, and see if it passes on its own. Ideally, try and wait it out for 4-6 weeks.
2. Clean Your Skin
Wash your face with mild face soaps that are paraben-free as well as gentle. Your soap shouldn’t remove your natural oils and should leave your skin balanced and healthy-looking. You can also ask a pharmacist or a dermatologist for their recommendation.
3. Open Up Your Pores
Your pores are often covered in bacteria since it can be hard to remove all traces of makeup, no matter how good or expensive your cleanser is. This is why you should use steam to open up your pores with either a pot of boiling water or with a real steamer. Steam will open up your pores in 8 minutes, and after that, you should pat dry your skin with a warm towel.
4. Exfoliate
A mild exfoliant will remove any dead layers of your skin. It will also remove dirt and pollutants that are harmful and that can cause milia. A cleanser that has salicylic acid or glycolic acid is good to begin with. Use a cleanser once a week, and see how your skin reacts to it. In general, you shouldn’t be cleansing more than twice a week, no matter your skin type.
5. Use A Manuka Honey Mask
A Manuka honey mask has antimicrobial agents that reduce inflammations. It is also filled with nourishing ingredients, perfect for dry skin and for soothing for the whiteheads. This honey can be applied in a raw form, or you can use it in the form of a face mask, or a sheet mask – based on what you find at a store.
6. Rose Water Is Also Great For Milia Removal
Rosewater is filled with natural rose oil. This oil can act as an anti-inflammatory agent once you pour it over your skin. You can find this online and in stores, and you should use it 2-3 times a day. Just make sure your eyes are shut as you spritz the product on top of the skin.
7. Try A Facial Peel
Some facial peels can have stronger exfoliating agents than your typical exfoliants. These facial peels can remove any bacteria, as well as Milia. You can do a facial peel on your own, or you can do it at a salon with a trusted facialist.
8. Try A Retinoid Cream
A retinoid cream has vitamin A which is crucial for the glow and radiance of your skin, as well as its elasticity. You could purchase some over-the-counter creams and use them once a day, ideally at night. Usually, it takes around 3 weeks for you to spot a significant difference with these creams, so be patient yet persistent.
9. Use A Facial Sunscreen
Sunscreen is crucial for your skin’s overall health, as you probably know it by now. However, a good sunscreen can also calm down any irritation that can potentially cause milia bumps in the skin. Ideally, you will need an SPF 30. Make sure you purchase a kind that suits your skin type. During winter days, strive for an SPF 10. Luckily for women, a lot of makeup nowadays already has SPF.
10. Get A Facial
Lastly, and if all else fails, book an appointment with your trusted esthetician. During your session, your facialist will open up your pores and will remove any unwanted gunk that is in your pores. They will use needles or a tool that is specialized for comedones. The treatment will be customizable towards your skin type, and will have you feeling cleansed, radiant, as well as nourished and pimple-free!
