What is milia, this small white dot that keeps appearing around the eye?

It can appear alone or in a group. It’s hard, it sinks into the skin for a long time and seems impossible to remove. His attack zone. Mostly around the eyes, but can also appear on the eyelids, nose and even cheeks. This tiny, ultra-resistant pimple, clinically called a milium grain, doesn’t make a difference; it can appear on all skin types and at any age. “This is a small, white, round, firm lesion measuring 1 to 2 mm. It forms after the hair canal is blocked,” explains Dr Catherine Bracken, consultant dermatologist at Sanoflore. “Because the natural physiological exfoliation doesn’t occur, the keratin accumulates in a compact form, forming this little cyst.” It can also occur in scarred areas, as a result of burns and in some cases, specific dermatoses. “We often meet in newborns as well, because their barrier function is confirmed,” adds the expert.

Contrary to popular belief, cystic acne is not acne or an allergic reaction. Causes and treatments vary. “Its appearance is different from acne blemishes, for example, because of its very white color, well-defined shape and such a firm consistency that it is almost impossible to remove with pressure. On the contrary, acne microcysts are less clearly defined and more flexible,” continues the doctor.

Solutions:

In most cases, milia are harmless and painless. “The lesions are minor and benign, provided you are confident in the diagnosis. If there are changes in the appearance of the skin, do not hesitate to consult a doctor,” advises Dr. Braken.

If it’s perfectly possible to live with it without problems, there’s nothing stopping you from wanting to get rid of it out of shame or aesthetic concerns. They generally go away on their own after a few weeks or months. To speed up the process, “using cosmetics with chemical exfoliants such as salicylic acid or glycolic acid can help reduce the thickness of the cornea. But you have to be patient and continue this treatment for several months,” warns the expert.

The best solution to get rid of it faster is to consult a dermatologist. The specialist will then make a micro-incision to mechanically remove the milium grain, thus removing the compacted keratin. In any case, “don’t try to remove it yourself, you risk infection, injury or even scarring,” warns the doctor.

Convenient beauty regimen

Once you have clear skin, you still need to adjust your beauty routine accordingly to prevent milia from reappearing. Above all, “never skip the step of cleansing your face, even if you don’t wear makeup, and use gentle exfoliators. They help reduce blemishes and limit their appearance by stimulating cell renewal and removing dead cells on the surface,” advises Dr. Braken.

You may also need to sort out your facial creams and makeup products. “We must avoid occlusive or comedogenic cosmetics that risk blocking the viscous pores and promoting this accumulation of keratin, limiting the natural renewal of the surface,” concludes the dermatologist.