Milia Removal Facial: What Works, What to Avoid

Milia Removal Facial: What Works, What to Avoid

A facial on its own will not reliably remove milia. Milia are tiny keratin-filled cysts sitting just under the skin, and a true milia removal involves a trained practitioner opening the surface with a sterile needle or blade and releasing the contents. Many people also find that milia clear without any treatment at all. This guide explains what milia are, how to tell them from other white bumps, what a professional approach involves, how to look after your skin afterwards and why picking at them is the one thing we would ask you not to do.

We are Charis Aesthetics, a private, appointment-only clinic in Stacksteads, Bacup, led by Ashleigh Trickett, Registered Nurse and Aesthetic Practitioner. We welcome adults aged 18 and over from Rossendale and nearby parts of Lancashire and Greater Manchester. This article is general education, not a diagnosis. Any new or changing lump on your skin is worth showing to a GP or an in-person practitioner.

TL;DR

• Milia are harmless, 1 to 2mm pearly-white cysts, most often on the eyelids and cheeks, and in the majority of cases they disappear without treatment.
• Do not squeeze, poke or pick them. This can damage the skin, cause scarring and raise the risk of infection.
• Professional removal uses a sterile needle or blade. A relaxing facial may soften the skin but is not a guaranteed way to clear milia.
• After any extraction, protect scabs, avoid heavy oils around the eyes and follow your practitioner’s aftercare.
• If you are unsure what a bump is, a £30 consultation with us is redeemable against treatment if you go ahead, with no obligation to book.

Table of Contents

• What milia are, and what they are not
• Will milia go away on their own?
• Why you should not pick or squeeze them
• How professional milia removal works
• What the NHS does and does not offer
• How to choose a practitioner
• Aftercare and preventing a return
• Treatments that support the skin around milia
• Who should wait or seek medical advice first
• Booking a consultation with us
• FAQ
• Sources

What milia are, and what they are not

Milia (one is a milium) are small cysts that form when keratin, the protein that makes up the outer layer of skin, becomes trapped under the surface. The Primary Care Dermatology Society describes them as uniform, round, pearly-white or yellow lesions measuring 1 to 2mm across. They are not a sign of poor hygiene, and they are not contagious.

The face is the most common place to find them, particularly the eyelids and cheeks, although any area of skin can be affected, including skin that has been damaged in some way. DermNet also notes that they are harmless.

The feel is a useful clue. A milium is firm and dome-shaped, like a tiny seed beneath a thin layer of skin. It has no visible opening, it is not usually red or sore and it does not come to a head the way a spot does.

Milia compared with other white bumps

People often search for “white bumps under the eyes” and find several different answers. DermNet lists comedones, xanthelasma and syringomas as the lesions most often confused with milia. In plain terms:

This table is for orientation only. We cannot tell you which one you have from a description, and some of these are worth having checked by a GP, particularly xanthelasma. If a bump is growing, bleeding, painful or changing, see a doctor rather than waiting for it to settle.

Why milia appear

In adults, milia often appear without an obvious cause. They can also follow skin damage, such as a burn, a blistering rash or prolonged sun exposure, because the skin heals and traps keratin as it does so. The Journal of Aesthetic Nursing also links recurrence to unsuitable products around the eyes, particularly heavy oils. Rich eye creams and balms are the usual suspects, because the skin around the eyes is thin and does not shed as readily as the skin elsewhere.

A rarer form, milia en plaque, involves a group of milia within an inflamed, red patch of skin. DermNet says it may improve with an antibiotic called minocycline, which is a prescription decision for a doctor. If your bumps sit in a red, irritated patch, that is a reason to see a GP or dermatologist rather than book a facial.

Will milia go away on their own?

Often, yes. The Primary Care Dermatology Society states that treatment is not necessary and that spontaneous disappearance occurs in the majority of cases. Because milia are harmless, patience is a perfectly reasonable first step.

There is no reliable timeline we can give you. Some clear within weeks, others stay for months. If they sit beside your eyes and you simply dislike them, that is a valid reason to explore removal, but it is worth knowing that waiting costs you nothing and carries no risk.

Why you should not pick or squeeze them

This is the most important practical point in the article. Milia have no opening, so squeezing them tends to push on the surrounding skin rather than release anything. Medical News Today advises against popping, squeezing, poking or picking at milia, because doing so can damage or scar the skin and increase the risk of infection.

The skin around the eyes is especially delicate. A mark left by a fingernail or a pin can last far longer than the original bump. If you are tempted, a few alternatives help:

• Leave the area alone and keep it clean and lightly moisturised with a non-heavy product.
• Avoid rubbing, scrubbing or using harsh exfoliants on the bumps.
• Do not use needles, pins or comedone extractors at home. A sterile technique matters, and it is not something a bathroom mirror can offer.

How professional milia removal works

The approach most practitioners use is called extraction, or de-roofing. A very small opening is made in the skin over the cyst with a sterile needle or blade, and the keratin plug is then lifted out. Medical News Today says that a professional can remove milia using a sterile needle or blade. Some clinics use other methods, such as diathermy or electrolysis, which use a tiny electrical current to treat the cyst. Each has different risks, and the choice depends on where the milia are, how many there are and your skin.

What you can generally expect from a careful appointment:

1. A conversation and skin check. Your practitioner looks at the bumps, asks about your skincare, medications and health, and decides whether they are milia at all.
2. Cleansing and preparation. The skin is cleansed and the area prepared with sterile equipment.
3. Extraction. Each cyst is opened and the contents released. It is usually described as a pinprick sensation rather than a deep pain, though sensitivity varies, especially near the eyes.
4. Aftercare advice. Small marks or scabs can form, and you are told how to protect them.

No method is risk-free. As with any procedure that breaks the skin, there is a chance of redness, infection, bleeding, marks or scarring, and milia can return.

Where a facial fits in

Here is where the search term “milia removal facial” can mislead. Some clinics describe extraction as an add-on to a facial, which is a fair way to package it. But a facial alone, with cleansing, steam, massage and a mask, is mainly about skin comfort, hydration and tone. It may help the surface of the skin look fresher, but it should not be sold as a dependable way to dissolve milia.

The word facial also covers a huge range of treatments. If you are curious about the many styles on offer around the world, from simple cleansing sessions to longer spa rituals, what a facial involves varies a great deal from one place to the next. Always ask what is actually included, who performs it and what training they have.

What the NHS does and does not offer

Because milia are harmless, removal is generally treated as cosmetic. Derby and Derbyshire Integrated Care Board’s policy, updated in January 2025, says it does not routinely commission removal of benign skin lesions, including milia, solely to improve appearance. Local policies differ across England, so this is one example rather than a rule for every area, including Lancashire and Greater Manchester.

The Academy of Medical Royal Colleges’ evidence-based interventions guidance says benign lesions should be removed on the NHS only when specific criteria are met, such as recurrent bleeding, infection, pain or a significant effect on daily function. It also notes that the evidence for cosmetic benefit is limited and lists scarring among the risks.

In practice, this means most people who want milia removed will look to a private practitioner. It also means the decision should be a considered one: the bumps are harmless, and the procedure is about how you feel about your skin. That is a perfectly good reason, as long as you go in with realistic expectations.

How to choose a practitioner

Milia extraction involves sharp instruments close to the eyes, so who does it matters more than how it is marketed. Questions worth asking before you book:

• What is their background? Look for a registered healthcare professional, such as a nurse registered with the Nursing and Midwifery Council, or a doctor, and ask about their training in the specific technique.
• Will they assess the bump first? A good practitioner confirms what it is and will decline if it is not a milium or if the skin is not suitable.
• Which method will they use, and why? They should explain the options and the risks, including scarring and recurrence.
• What is the aftercare? You should leave with clear written or verbal instructions.
• Is the price clear? Ask whether the fee is per session, per area or per lesion, and whether it is a starting price or a fixed fee.

You should never feel pressured to decide on the spot. A consultation exists so you can ask these questions without commitment.

Aftercare and preventing a return

After any extraction, the skin has a tiny wound that needs to heal undisturbed. The Journal of Aesthetic Nursing’s guidance highlights that protecting naturally forming scabs is central to reducing avoidable scarring. In everyday terms:

• Do not pick or scratch any scabs. Let them fall away naturally.
• Keep the area clean, and follow your practitioner’s instructions on what to apply.
• Avoid heavy oils and rich balms around the eyes, as these may contribute to milia returning.
• Use a broad-spectrum sunscreen once the skin is ready, as healing skin can mark more easily in sunlight.
• Postpone make-up on the area until your practitioner says it is fine.
• Contact the person who treated you if you notice spreading redness, increasing pain, swelling or discharge, as these can be signs of infection.

Our own general post-facial guidance is on our facial aftercare page, which is a useful companion to the instructions you are given in person.

Can skincare help?

Some people find that gentle, regular exfoliation and a lighter routine keep new milia at bay. For widespread milia, DermNet notes that topical retinoids may be helpful. Some retinoid products are available only on prescription and they are not suitable in pregnancy or when breastfeeding, so speak to a pharmacist or GP before starting one. We would not suggest layering strong acids and retinoids together without advice, as irritated skin tends to look and feel worse.

A sensible baseline routine is a gentle cleanser, a light, non-greasy moisturiser, daily sunscreen and an eye product that is lightweight rather than oily.

Treatments that support the skin around milia

Milia are one concern among many that bring people in for skin treatment, and several of our treatments work on skin texture and clarity in general. We want to be straightforward: none of them is a promised cure for milia, and results vary from person to person. What we can say is that they are part of a considered skin plan that we would discuss at consultation.

The “from” price for microneedling is a starting price, not a fixed fee, and the final cost depends on your plan after assessment. Each of these is a single session price; some skin concerns are better suited to a course, which we would only suggest after talking it through with you. If you have recent milia, we would usually advise treating them first, or not at all, before using treatments that increase skin turnover or break the skin, because the order matters. Our microneedling aftercare page explains what to expect if you go down that route.

Who should wait or seek medical advice first

Some situations call for a different route:

• Bumps that are red, itchy, sore or in an inflamed patch. See a GP, because this may be something other than a simple milium.
• A bump that is growing, bleeding or looks different from the others. Get it checked promptly.
• Yellowish patches on the eyelids. Ask a GP, as these may be xanthelasma.
• Active skin infection, cold sores or a flare of eczema or dermatitis nearby. Treatment should wait until the skin has settled.
• Pregnancy or breastfeeding. We do not treat during pregnancy or breastfeeding, and some skincare ingredients are also best avoided, so check with your midwife, GP or pharmacist.
• Under 18. Our clinic treats adults aged 18 and over only.

None of this is a diagnosis. It is the sort of thing a practitioner will ask about at the start of any consultation.

Booking a consultation with us

If you are not sure whether what you have is milia, or what the sensible next step is, we would be glad to look at your skin. At Charis Aesthetics we see people at our private, appointment-only clinic at 9 Lilac Terrace, Stacksteads, Bacup, and we welcome enquiries from Rossendale and the surrounding areas of Lancashire and Greater Manchester.

A consultation costs £30 and is redeemable against treatment if you decide to go ahead. There is no obligation to book anything afterwards. Ashleigh will talk through what she can see, which options are suitable and, where treatment is not appropriate, say so plainly. You can also read about our facial or explore the rest of the clinic at Charis Aesthetics.

To book or ask a question, call 07721 823933 or email charis-aesthetics25@gmail.com.

FAQ

How long does it take for milia to go away?

There is no fixed timeline. The Primary Care Dermatology Society says spontaneous disappearance occurs in the majority of cases, but some milia clear in weeks and others last months. If they bother you, a professional assessment is safer than trying to remove them yourself.

Can I remove milia myself at home?

We would advise against it. Squeezing or picking at milia can damage or scar the skin and raise the risk of infection, particularly around the delicate eye area. A gentle, light skincare routine is a safer approach while you wait or arrange an assessment.

Do milia come back after removal?

They can. Using heavy oils or rich products around the eyes may contribute to recurrence, and some people are simply prone to them. Following your practitioner’s aftercare and keeping eye-area products light can help reduce the chance, but no one can guarantee they will not return.

Will the NHS remove milia?

Usually not for cosmetic reasons. Local NHS policies, such as the one published by Derby and Derbyshire ICB, do not routinely fund removal of benign lesions solely to improve appearance, with exceptions for bleeding, infection, pain or a significant effect on daily function. Check your own area’s policy with your GP.

Is a facial enough to get rid of milia?

Not reliably. A facial can leave skin cleaner, smoother and better hydrated, but milia sit under the surface in a closed cyst. Extraction by a trained practitioner with sterile equipment is the usual route when removal is wanted.

Sources

• Milia, Primary Care Dermatology Society
• Milium, milia, DermNet
• How to get rid of milia: Treatment, prevention, and causes, Medical News Today
• Removal of benign skin lesions, Derby and Derbyshire ICB clinical policy
• Removal of benign skin lesions, Evidence-based interventions
• Non-surgical removal of milia: treatment and aftercare, Journal of Aesthetic Nursing
• Facial types and what to check before you book

Recommended

• How long does a facial last?
• How does a facial work?
• Facial aftercare

This article provides general information and is not personal medical advice. Treatment suitability, risks and expected outcomes require an individual consultation and assessment. Results vary. Charis Aesthetics treats adults aged 18 and over.