Effective Milia Removal: Opt for Er:YAG laser, avoid risky needle extraction. Beomgye, Pyeongchon, Beomgye Station, Pyeongchon Station, Hogye-dong, Bisan-dong, Gwanyang-dong, Dongan-gu, Indeogwon, Geumjeong, Anyang

Milia: Causes, Removal Methods, and Recurrence

Our clinic's subtle approach to treating milia with meticulous care

1. What are milia, as explained by our clinic?

Milia are small, white, pearl-like bumps that form when keratin protein accumulates in tiny pockets just beneath the skin's surface.

Unlike acne, milia do not originate from sebum or inflammation. They tend to appear frequently in areas where the skin is thin and prone to irritation, such as around the eyes, cheekbones, and nose. Though pain

is rarely present, many individuals experience discomfort as milia can make makeup appear uneven or skin texture feel rough.

Key Point: Milia are not sebum but keratin cysts. Forcibly squeezing them with your hands can easily result in bruising, hyperpigmentation, or scars.

2. Causes of milia as understood by our clinic

Milia can develop due to a combination of various factors.

Blocked Keratin Excretion Pathways: This occurs when dead skin cells, which should naturally shed, fail to be excreted and become trapped within the skin.

Skin Irritation: Frequent rubbing around the eyes or excessive scrubbing/peeling can cause minor skin damage, and milia may form during this healing process.

UV Exposure & Dryness: When the skin barrier is compromised and dead skin cell shedding becomes uneven, cyst formation may be accelerated.

Secondary Milia After Procedures: New milia can also develop during the wound healing process after skin treatments such as lasers, fillers, or surgery.

Skin Type & Constitution: Individuals with thin, dry, or sensitive skin often experience a tendency for milia to recur frequently.

3. Milia Removal Methods Applied at Our Clinic

In principle, milia should be removed by creating a small opening (excision) and safely extracting the contents and wall of the cyst. The key here is to minimize skin damage during the process.

Needle Puncture and Extraction

This method involves creating a tiny hole in the skin with a sterile needle, then using an extractor to remove the cyst.

Pros: Can be relatively simple and cost-effective.

Cons: Depth control can be challenging, and if the cyst wall is not fully removed, there is a possibility of recurrence in the same spot. Bruising or scarring may easily occur, especially in delicate areas like around the eyes.

Er:YAG Laser Puncture and Extraction

This is the primary method for milia removal utilized at our clinic.

Principle: Er:YAG laser (2940nm) has a high water absorption rate, enabling it to create a precise opening by delicately ablating the skin. With minimal heat diffusion, the likelihood of hyperpigmentation or scarring tends to be low.

Pros: The opening is precise, and the cyst wall is clearly visible, leading to a lower likelihood of recurrence. It can also be applied with reduced burden on delicate areas such as around the eyes.

Cons: Minor bleeding might occur during the procedure, though recovery tends to be swift.

CO₂ Laser Puncture and Extraction

Its strong thermal coagulation effect can be beneficial for hemostasis (stopping bleeding).

Pros: Minimal bleeding allows the procedure to be carried out relatively quickly.

Cons: Deeper heat diffusion leads to a relatively higher potential for hyperpigmentation, persistent redness, and scarring. Marks may be more prone to being left, especially on thin skin.

Summary: While needles or CO₂ lasers can be utilized for swift treatment, Er:YAG laser-based precise puncture and extraction may be beneficial for reducing the potential for scars and hyperpigmentation, and for enabling relatively safe removal.

4. The Possibility of Milia Recurrence as Explained by Our Clinic

Many individuals inquire, “If I have them removed once, will they never reappear?”

Recurrence in the Same Spot: This can occur if the cyst wall is not entirely removed.

Recurrence in New Spots: New milia can reappear depending on various factors such as skin type, irritation, dryness, and UV exposure.

In other words, while recurrence in the same spot is uncommon if milia are properly removed, new milia can emerge at any time depending on an individual's constitution and lifestyle.

5. Points to Consider Our Clinic for Milia Removal

Many clinics frequently remove milia swiftly using needles or CO₂ lasers. However, the potential for hyperpigmentation or marks to remain, especially on delicate thin skin around the eyes, can be a concern.

Our clinic aims for a 'subtle difference' in these aspects.

Er:YAG Precise Puncture + Extraction: This minimizes thermal damage to reduce treatment traces, and by confirming the cyst wall during removal, it may lower the likelihood of recurrence.

PIH(염증 후 색소침착) 최소화 방안: 개인별 멜라닌 민감도를 고려하여 시술 강도를 조절합니다. 이어 진정 및 재생 관리를 통해 색소침착 발생 부담을 줄이도록 노력합니다.

흉터 및 멍 발생 최소화 노력: 압출 시 피부 조직의 손상을 줄이기 위해, 압출 압력의 각도와 방향을 세심하게 조절하고 있습니다.

요약:

비립종 시술은 단순히 제거하는 것을 넘어, 피부에 흔적을 덜 남기면서 안전하게 진행하는 것에 초점을 둡니다.

Kkeut Korean Medicine Clinic은 색소침착, 흉터, 재발을 줄이는 시술에 집중합니다. 이는 압출 전 Er:YAG 레이저를 활용한 정밀한 개봉 과정이라는 특징적인 접근 방식을 통해 구현됩니다.

마무리 말씀

저희의 꾸준한 목표는 환자분들이 시술 후 '흔적에 대한 염려' 대신 '안심'을 느끼시는 것입니다.

밤늦게까지 장비를 세심히 점검하고 수많은 사례를 분석하는 저희의 노력은, 바로 그 미세한 차이가 만들어내는 의미 있는 결과를 위함입니다.