Should I extract milia? Let's find out everything from the causes to dermatological treatment methods.

Source: Clipart Korea

 

There are cases where small, bumpy whiteheads repeatedly appear on the forehead, cheeks, or chin even after washing your face thoroughly. It is advised to be careful, as forcefully squeezing these whiteheads can damage skin tissue and leave behind inflammation or red marks.

Today, I will summarize when it is necessary to extract milia, why you should not extract them yourself, and the acne treatment methods performed at a dermatology clinic.

 

 

1. What are milia?

Milia refer to small, bumpy acne that appears on the surface of the skin.

In normal skin, sebum is naturally expelled through the pores, but if sebum secretion increases or dead skin cells do not shed smoothly, the sebum and dead skin cells block the pore openings. It is said that if sebum accumulates while the pore openings remain closed, closed comedones that look like millet seeds may appear.

 

- Characteristics of milia

1) Small, skin-colored or white protrusions

2) Repeatedly occurs on the forehead, cheeks, chin, and around the mouth

3) Often painless

4) Skin texture may look rough and makeup may look cakey

2. Causes of milia

1) Excessive sebum secretion

It is said that excessive sebum secretion can clump together with dead skin cells inside the pores to form comedones. In particular, acne can worsen during seasons with high temperatures and humidity as sweat and sebum production increase.

 

2) Exfoliation problem

If dead skin cells on the skin's surface do not shed normally, the pores become clogged. It is said that as sebum and dead skin cells accumulate inside the pores, milia can form.

 

3) Using pore-clogging cosmetics

It is said that using oily or unsuitable cosmetics and sunscreens can clog pores, causing or worsening milia.

3. Is it really necessary to extract milia?

If you have a lot of milia and sebum is hardened inside your pores, you may consider extracting them after checking your skin condition. It is recommended to extract milia in the following cases.

 

1) When multiple skin-colored or white comedones appear

2) Cases where sebum inside the pores is tightly blocked, making natural expulsion difficult

3) Cases where milia repeatedly progress into inflammatory acne

4) Cases where comedones are widely spread across the entire forehead or cheeks

 

Since it can be difficult to determine on your own whether extraction is possible, it is recommended to get a diagnosis of your skin condition first before deciding whether to proceed.

4. Why You Should Not Extract Milia Yourself

1) Risk of bacterial infection and inflammation

It is said that if you extract acne without sufficiently sterilizing the extraction tool, there is a possibility of inflammation at the extraction site.

 

2) Risk of red marks and pigmentation

Pressing hard on milia can damage surrounding skin cells. It is said that even acne that was not severely inflamed can leave red marks and hyperpigmentation if repeatedly touched or squeezed.

 

3) Possibility of scarring

It is said that if excessive pressure damages the deep layers of the skin, pitted scars may remain.

5. Dermatological Acne Treatment Methods

Forcibly squeezing out milia can lead to inflammation, marks, and scars, so it is advisable to seek professional help. Let me tell you about the types of acne treatments available at dermatology clinics.

 

1) Basic Care

The Basic Treatment is an acne care program that includes extraction, proceeding in the order of extraction → White Peel → Anti-inflammatory Injection → Soothing Pack. The Aqua Basic Treatment adds an Aqua Peel to the Basic Treatment and is said to help remove sebum.

The price for the Maypure Basic treatment is 60,000 won per session, and the price for the Aqua Basic treatment is 80,000 won per session.

 

2) PDT

PDT is a treatment that destroys sebaceous glands and acne bacteria by irradiating them with light of a specific wavelength that reacts to photosensitizers.

They say the price of Maypure PDT is 100,000 won per session.

 

👉Customized solutions for each stage of acne! Check out acne treatment program information

 

3) Capri Laser

Capri Laser is said to be a procedure that helps treat and prevent acne by reducing sebum secretion without irritating normal skin tissue.

The price for the Maypure Capri Laser first-visit event is said to be 39,000 won.

 

👉 Care for everything from sebum to inflammation all at once! Check out Capri Laser details

 

4) Larafil

Lara Peel is a low-irritation peeling treatment that helps balance dead skin cells and sebum on the skin's surface, and it is said to be effective in improving skin conditions prone to recurring breakouts.

The price for the Maypure Lara Peel first-visit event is said to be 59,000 won.

 

👉Gentle peeling suitable even for sensitive skin! Check out Lara Peel details

6. Q&A

1) What are some ways to manage milia at home?

Washing your face too often can irritate the skin, so cleanse gently twice a day with a mild cleanser. Additionally, using non-comedogenic products that do not clog pores can be helpful for acne management.

 

Find out which cleansing product suits your skin

 

2) How often should I get milia extracted?

There is no fixed schedule. It is recommended to determine the interval after checking the number of acne breakouts, the frequency of recurrence, and the condition of the skin barrier. Extracting too frequently may cause repeated irritation to the skin.

 

Source: Clipart Korea

 

Milia are small and not severely inflamed, so it is easy to take them lightly; however, if extracted incorrectly, they can leave red marks, hyperpigmentation, or scars. Therefore, it is recommended to first check if the condition is suitable for extraction and then seek professional help.

I hope you refer to the tips I shared today regarding the need to extract small pimples and start managing your skin!

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