Taking care of your skin is like an art in its own right and passionate skincare enthusiasts know this well. You have to handle it with the utmost care. That’s where milia (in some cases alluded to as milialar) comes in tiny pearl-like cysts that can suddenly appear on the face out of nowhere, making everyone’s quest for a clean and smooth countenance seemingly futile. These are common among newborns along with baby acne but they could also affect adults at times, often when least expected or understood. This complete guide will shed light on everything you need to learn about milia starting from its beginning up to how to prevent and cure it, ensuring you are comprehensively armed with knowledge that will enable you to keep your skin healthy.
But just exactly what is Milialar?
Milia are small cysts that develop just beneath the surface of the skin, particularly on the face. They can be little bumps that are white or yellowish while on dark-skinned people they may appear blueish. It is important to note that although these tiny cysts may look like whiteheads or pimples, they do not belong to the acne category. The origin of these milias is rather specific they usually develop when dead skin cells as well as sometimes hair follicles get entrapped below the surface of the skin hence forming cysts which tend to be 1-3 millimeters in size generally.
You might say “It must be simple if only trapped cells?” My dear, things don’t work out so easily because Mila can be very enigmatic sometimes. They can occur in people regardless of age, gender or complexion though they are mostly seen among infants; approximately fifty percent of all babies exhibit such growths. Nonetheless, adults could experience some milia appearing following changes in their skincare routines, dieting fads or inexplicably without any observed cause.
Types Of Milia And Probable Causes
There are various types of milia which result in a range of backgrounds and triggers:
Spontaneous Primary Milia: They may be present at birth or later on in life, as congenital milia appearing on the nose or as benign primary milia in children and adults.
Milia en Plaque (MEP): It is an infrequent kind that affects particular demographics and is found among older females.
Multiple Eruptive Milia: This rare condition causes clumps of itchy cysts to appear on the face and upper trunk.
Genodermatosis-Associated: These are linked to genetic skin conditions such as Brooke-Spiegler syndrome.
Secondary Milia: It occurs following injury, medication use or other skin diseases.
As unpredictable as the condition itself are its causes. As for babies, they come with a natural part of their skin development. Yet, what might make someone else hit this nail include examples such as not washing your face, using oily products on top of skin conditions like rosacea, or lack of sleep because you have been taking steroids for too long. Additionally, secondary milialar could arise from damaged skin, drug intervention or blistering dermatoses associated with such disorders.
Isn’t prevention worth more than a cure?
With milia prevention is better than treatment. However, due to the mercurial nature of milias, predicting them is easier said than done. In addition, exfoliation should be done regularly so that there can be proper shedding off dead cells while avoiding excessive use of oil-based lotions and creams that can clog up pores. Moreover good sleep and proper management of underlying dermal issues protect us from them.
Treating Milia: The Soft Route
Delicate intervention is one way of treating milia. Roughly removing these cysts may scar or infect, while over-the-counter treatments may not work most of the time.
Gentle Exfoliation: It can be helpful to use exfoliants to assist your skin in shedding its old cells; however, they must be soft so as not to damage the skin.
Chemical Peels: Intransigent milia can be broken down by a chemical peel, leading to an improved release over time.
Professional Extraction: This whole process requires that dermatologists make a tiny incision to remove the cysts. Though this method works very well yet should only be carried out by a doctor.
Topical Retinoids: Including retinoids in your skincare routine can also help with certain types of milia by aiding in exfoliation since they are derived from Vitamin A.
It is worth mentioning that milia poses no threat and usually disappears naturally. However, on any occasion where interventions are needed, these approaches must be approached cautiously.
Conclusion
Milialar might look like nuisances but they are actually benign ones. This realization should bring relief especially among first time parents who are apt to mistake such fluid-filled bumps for more grave problems during their infant’s first days of life. With knowledge regarding different varieties, sources and ways of gentle handling, it is possible to confront them confidently knowing that this is just a minor glitch on the road to healthy skin.
Maintain diligent skincare routines and pay attention to product selections and changes in your complexion if you want your proactivity level to be high. For those still having milia after trying other methods consult with professionals and always seek guidance from a dermatologist towards choosing the safest and most efficient method for you. After all, even the smallest issue like milialar deserves personalized care because it affects our appearance such as our skins although we pay less attention to how we treat such matters.
Misty Severi 
Henry Lau