Milia (white cysts)

Small, firm, white cysts the size of a pinhead located close to the surface of the skin; a protein called keratin builds up inside them. They can appear after procedures that resurface the skin, such as ablative and fractional lasers, medium and deep peels and dermabrasion.

Articles that mention this term

Safety CentreSpots and Milia (White Cysts) after Laser and PeelsSpots and white cysts (milia) after laser and peels: why they occur, when they clear, telling them from infection and cold sores, when to see a doctor.Reviewed by the Medical Aesthetics Expert Board Treatment GuidesFractional Laser: How Suitable Is It for Acne Scars, Wrinkles and Skin Texture?How ablative and non-ablative fractional lasers work, what to expect for acne scars and wrinkles, recovery and pigmentation risk. A patient guide.Reviewed by the Medical Aesthetics Expert Board Treatment GuidesChemical Peels: What They Are, Who They Suit and What Recovery InvolvesThe differences between superficial, medium and deep chemical peels, recovery times, risk of pigment spots, who needs caution and aftercare advice.Reviewed by the Medical Aesthetics Expert Board Rumour or Science?Rumour: “If you stop fillers, your face will sag more than before” — What does the science say?Does the face sag more than before once you stop fillers? Plain facts on what happens to hyaluronic acid, natural facial ageing and overfilling.Reviewed by the Medical Aesthetics Expert Board Safety CentreProblems after a Chemical Peel: Prolonged Redness, Dark Spots, Infection and Scarring — What to Do?Problems after a chemical peel: prolonged redness, dark spots, cold sores, infection, scarring. Telling normal healing apart, home care and urgent signs.Reviewed by the Medical Aesthetics Expert Board Rumour or Science?Rumour: “Botulinum toxin (commonly called ‘botox’) and fillers are addictive; once you start, you cannot stop” — What does the science say?Are botulinum toxin and fillers addictive? There is no physical dependence; the effect is temporary. What happens if you stop, and the warning signs.Reviewed by the Medical Aesthetics Expert Board Safety CentreProblems after Fractional Laser: Dark Spots, Cold Sores, Acne, ScarsProlonged redness, dark spots, cold sores, infection and scars after fractional laser: telling normal healing apart, home care and urgent signs.Reviewed by the Medical Aesthetics Expert Board Safety CentreProblems after Microneedling: Redness, Dark Spots, GranulomasPersistent redness, spots, dark patches, cold sores, infection, tram tracks and serum granulomas after microneedling: the normal course and warning signs.Reviewed by the Medical Aesthetics Expert Board